Full-time job security ko mar goli

That's what a new crop of urban indian youngsters are saying, opting for the financially-insecure option of a part-time job. The recession has only made it easier to explain the 2 bit-job fancy to future employers and wary parents

It's a solution to the mundane 9 to 5 cycle, a nagging boss and arduous commute to work. Two part-time jobs are beginning to look better than one full-time sort. The money comes in all right, just as long as you plan your schedule out and don't mind a bit of multi-tasking. For most fresh urban graduates, the recession coincided with their first step into the corporate world. For others, the decision to take a gap-year suddenly became easier to explain to their worried parents, and for those stepping into creative fields, freelancing was probably not a new word anyway.u00a0

Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Seema Hingoranny, says, "This is a trend that's fast becoming popular among young Indians who start work as early as 18. Since they have already taken up internships in college, they have had a taste of multi-tasking, juggling academics and work. So, it gets easier for them to manage two jobs once they graduate."

This is a bunch of professional, confident workers who aren't affected by the the apparent instability of part-time jobs that left the earlier generation in a cold sweat.

But Hingoranny is concerned about the consequences they might face once they decide to settle down with one job. "Juggling two responsibilities may come across as a sign of lack of commitment. Future employers may even consider such employees unpredictable," she suggests.

Education and career counsellor Viral Doshi believes the two-job phenomenon is a stop-gap arrangement for youngsters until the markets improve. "This trend limits itself to unconventional jobs. High-end career options do not allow you enough time off to even considering two jobs. Moreover, two part-time jobs is not a viable option for the sole bread-winner in the family." Both Hingoranny and Doshi agree that this option is most popular among youngsters who gravitate towards steady jobs by the time they reach their late-twenties.

Does it for: extra moolah, challenge
Yachna Sharma
RJ by day,u00a0TV newsreader by night
Yachna Sharma, a Radio Jockey with a private FM station, begins work at 6.30 am. She's done with her day's work by 11 am, leaving her free to do as she pleases the rest of the day. A stranger to Mumbai, Yachna didn't quite know what to do with the rest of her time, and so, landing a second job with a TV station worked well. "I'm a workaholic, and I love the challenge. I have to be chirpy RJ in the morning and switch to a solemn newsreader every evening. Besides, I live alone in Mumbai, and the extra income helps."
TIP: It's important that you inform the management of your alternative job.

Does it for: rush of freedom, lack of options
Hari Chakyar
Scriptwriter, RJ, activist
Hari Chakyar's search for a full-time job began when most companies were sacking employees. Left with no choice, he began freelancing as a scriptwriter for TV shows. In his spare time, Hari works as a volunteer at the Mumbai University Community Radio in their production unit and as a jockey. Earlier this year, he spearheaded the Green Ambarnath with Nature Baba campaign. The 600 trees that were felled around his neighbourhood to make way for construction found a voice in him. Hari now encourages people to plant and adopt trees through innovative means like street plays.

"I didn't freelance out of choice, but now, I love the options it has opened up for me. It is a little scary when the money didn't come in regularly, but I have learned to plan," says Hari, who has given himself three years to make it as a scriptwriter. "If I don't, I'll get back to a full-time job. But I know I will never enjoy it now, because I have tasted freedom."
TIP: Save and use your reserves when you run out of work.

Does it for: extra time to give her NGO
Ritika D'souza
NGo volunteer, workshop conductor
Ritika D'souza, founder of fledgling NGO Tara. Education Association (TEA), opted out of a cushy full-time job with the Indo-France Chamber. Instead, she chose to work with The Pomegranate Workshop (an organisation that conducts customised workshops) as a part-time associate since the job offered to teach her a skill-set she could use for her work with the NGO. "My work with TEA involves visiting schools in villages, which leaves me with an erratic schedule. Working for a few hours with Pomegranate gives me enough time to concentrate on other things."

Taking up two part-time jobs has made Ritika sensitive to other members of the NGO who juggle multiple roles. "We schedule online meetings and work on task-based assignments rather than around fixed time frames.
TIP: It's important to plan well. This helps you fit more tasks in a day rather than concentrate on just one job with long hours.