Student Leader Interview - Prerna Chadha from VIPS, Pitampura

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1. Tell us more about your role & responsibilities at your college.

My college life has always been hectic from the day one. Being the first batch of English Honors at GGSIP University, it always was a responsibility for me to work harder than usual, to make a mark that stays forever. Eventually, my department planned for our very first magazine and I was appointed its Sub Editor. This is a very tedious work considering that you have to edit and dive deep into every single detail, grammatical errors and so on. 

I spent hours in front of my workstation and did the following with utmost dedication, only to my surprise that its launch date and printing got delayed due to recent situations. Haha, I felt a throb in my heart but then its better to be safe than sorry. I took part in a stage play by Mahesh Dattani named Tara and played the role of Tara and got awarded the best actor. Simultaneously I started working at IPUBUZZ, sole student run org of GGSIPU and have been working with them since 10 months now. I handle their Blog team of 4 members, curate content for their subsequent company- The Buzz Media Company and strategize content for the same.

2. How did you rise up to your position and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?

My goal, on joining college was to be an active learner and doer. Thinking that it'll suffice just to study and pass you exams for the sake of it, never is enough. I had a huge interest in writing since I was 6 years old and it just developed on and on with further pushing of my limits. I applied to a company named Dwarkawala, to try out my luck for the same. I wrote for their website and monthly newspaper with a reach of 4,00,000 household. I tried my hands on client handling and handled various clients such as Zomato, Swiggy and so on. I organized team events, did business development as well for a Automation Company named Fidomotus. This was my starting phase where I had this zeal to try out new things and never stop working.

Someone who wants to become a content writer and achieve the same, I'll suggest never to back down and be disappointed with failures because you have to go and on until you reach your goal, and your goal should never be static, it should keep on growing. You can find tons of internships, contact them yourself, make a Linkedin account and network with the right set of people. Start gaining experience and put your hardwork into it.

3. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learnings from what you do?

My biggest challenges that I faced was Writer's Block and Ideation. At one point of time I had no idea what to write, what to think new and work upon it. I exhausted my ability to think and create something new. It felt as if I was never meant for this field, as if I didn't fit, or I never belonged here. But I kept in mind, whenever you are faced with difficulties, you have to keep going and outshine yourself. Small efforts everyday, result in wonders. I gave my brain some time to analyze and needed a space to think. Within no time I was back on track. Give yourself your Me Time and a healthy Space. It'll help for sure.

4. What did you do in your current role that makes you feel really proud of yourself?

I recently landed an internship all by myself at a famous Instagram Page called- @ad.parody with 325k followers as of now. I direct messaged them myself, gave my work samples and in no time I was handling their Instagram page's content with respective id and password and their various clients such as Amazon Prime, Spotify, MXPlayer and so on. It was a tough phase since it being a big page required my utmost perfection but I am proud of myself that I handled this work pressure with my IPUBUZZ work and I smoothly did it all. It requires dedication and perseverance and you can do wonders if you try to.

5. What's your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences?

I not only think but I believe that it always will be a good thing to involve oneself into internships and attend various educational conferences because in near 4 years, you have to work and all you will have is these little experiences that will make you a better person. You will fail, get rejected, succeed, but it all will sum upto an experience that you will look back at and cherish. I wish all the best to everyone out their who tries and will try to work beyond their capabilities.

- Prerna Chadha

Interview by - Abhirup Dey