Want to become a writer at Eat My News? Here is an opportunity to join the Board of Young Leaders Program by Eat My News. Click here to know more: bit.ly/boardofyoungleaders
I got to carry on the legacy of the oldest Economics Society of Delhi University.
In my first year, as a member of the PR Team, my role was to tap potential elocutionists in the field of Economics & conduct insightful sessions with them.
As the General Secretary in my second year, the responsibility of maintaining coordination between all the members rested on my shoulders.
And ultimately being the President in the final year, I held the primary responsibility of the society with full control of the overall administration.
2. How did you rise up to your position and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?
Beginning with the PR Department as a member, I was a regular student. I had interactions with almost everyone in the class. I contested for the post of General Secretary and won with a great majority. Becoming a post holder was a great encouragement for me.
With a chance to improve society for better, I decided to contest for President. With over two years of support from all the friends, I won again with the confidence of contributing to society in an even better way. I fared well on the promises I made & expectations they all had.
If you wish the same, you should have a clear agenda for society. You should be ready with a blueprint for the upcoming session. When it's election day, you should prepare your speech well and be ready for some random questions as well from the audience. And of course, you should maintain good relations with everybody which will win you everyone's support. A reminder of your past contributions also helps.
3. What's it like to juggle between a leadership role and normal college life?
For me, it wasn't really a trade-off. It was an add-on I would rather say. I believe college societies form a significant part of college life. You get to interact with your juniors & seniors. You get to interact with students from other departments. You go places together, enjoy meals together and the department trip tops it all off.
Holding that leadership position earns you a lot of respect. It helps make good relations with everybody.
4. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learnings from what you do?
The most obvious challenge for any society leader is to gather sponsorship for organising its fest. And we organised two this year with the inception of our first-ever bi-annual fest, EcoLixir'19. Our annual fest - ParetoTime'20 boasted of more than ₹1.25 crore prize money.
There are ups and downs in every hierarchy. There are clashes with job responsibilities. But we stood strong & fought even stronger.
Learnings were vast. I headed seven departments. From writing content, editing posters, conducting events, making decorations, finding sponsors, handling social media to organising seminars, I did every department's work. Not only did it add to my learning but it showed me that I have even more potential to learn.
5. Do you enjoy the kind of influence you hold at such a young age?
I certainly enjoy on being asked this question but I think I still have much more to do & miles to go before I can be of influence to others although the pursuit of it does surely gives me the confidence of being someone worth looking up to.
6. How do your parent's look at you participating in extracurricular activities?
My parents have been most supportive. From telling me not to worry about grades to finding something I have a real interest in, we have been through everything together. They always see the best in me.
7. What are your career goals and how is what you are doing going to help you with that?
I remember my brother inscribing on my first ever Economics textbook - "And the journey starts...". That's where it all began and I gradually developed my interest in that. I wish to make a career in the field of Economics.
8. What are the top skills that you have learnt with what you do?
I worked with all the seven departments at ground level which made me learn a great many things. So, because of this multi-faceted approach, I developed a complete package of these department-specific skills be it marketing, communication or content writing.
9. How can we encourage more young students such as yourself to take-up leadership roles?
If you have the willingness, you should work hard for it. You should invest in yourself, build capacity and develop capabilities. You have to make your presence known. Start small, keep on improving yourself and in no time, you will set an example for others.
10. Do you have a message for parents to allow their kids to do things besides academics?
I believe that they should support their children in whatever interest them the most. We have to go beyond academics and find innovative solutions to world problems. So, we need to enrich our learning and should not only be dependent on grades or marks. There lie much greater things in the store for all of us. So, parents must encourage their children to explore new things. What's important is that they show support even in the failures.
11. What did you do in your current role that makes you feel really proud of yourself?
I feel proud more because of what I achieved than because of what I did. And giving it back was just a part of it. We achieved second-best position in DU Assassins' list of top Economics Societies of Delhi University and who can better know the meaning of second-best than an Economics student. Other than that, I feel proud of the bond we all shared together in the society which has been like a family to us all.
12. What's your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences?
I believe internships are great to find out what you enjoy doing the most. Attending conferences and listening to insightful speakers add greatly to your knowledge. Also, these additions help in your CV building and fetch you some good job offers as well.
Interview by - Shamayla
Social