More students balancing books & business now

BENGALURU: Bibek Karmakar, an undergraduate student of filmmaking and visual media, started editing videos and making thumbnails as a hobby when he was 18. Today, he juggles college and freelance work.

"It gets insanely hectic, but it's worth it in the end because I have the opportunity to be independent and not completely rely on my family for finances," said Bibek, who earns between Rs 3,000 and Rs 40,000 a month from his part-time work .

Nowadays, college students are eager to gain professional experience before graduating. Though internships are a part of educational courses in most colleges, a growing number of students are taking a step further through freelancing gigs and remote internships outside of course requirements. This isn't just to earn extra income, but to build a network, gain professional clarity, and enhance their skills.

MD Shakaib Shoaib, 19, an undergraduate student of media and journalism at Christ (deemed-to-be) University, has taken on freelance writing and search engine optimisation projects. He achieves a balance between college and freelance work through careful planning. "The best part about freelancing is that I get to decide when I want to work. Usually, I dedicate an hour every day to my work, and if I have multiple assignments, then I don't take up many projects," Shakaib said.

However, acknowledging its challenges, he said, "Because someone is paying you for it, you may become overwhelmed by the deadline and have to put it above everything else. There were times I was forced to prioritise my work over everything else, even though I didn't want to."

For Aparna Vats, a UG student of media and journalism at Christ, internships were a turning point. She studies while working part-time with Gujarat Judicial Reforms Council as a content writer. She has previously explored fields such as public relations, event management, social media, marketing, legal aid and social work. "Internships help me build a network, work ethic, and purpose beyond academics. It helped me realise what I wanted to be in future," she said.

Priyanka Dutta, a professor at Mount Carmel College, said: "For courses that demand a significant amount of time on campus, it becomes very difficult for students to take up freelance work. However, students in more theory-based courses, who don't have such heavy practical requirements, are able to find time."

According to TeamLease Digital, an employment agency, internship opportunities increased by 25% over the past year. Remote internships constitute about 49% of all offerings, significantly increasing access for students in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. "Students can take up internships from wherever they are instead of moving across cities, creating more opportunities for everyone," said Neeti Sharma, president and co-founder of TeamLease EdTech Ltd. "Organisations benefit too, gaining fresh perspectives and digital skills from students, and having the opportunity to assess potential hires," she added. She also mentioned that govt initiatives like the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme encourage more companies to offer structured internships.

- Tanushri Menon