Four girls teach Mumbai how to earn loads and have fun doing It

Unlike most students who take up jobs at cafes, call centres, there are some who hone special skills and earn Rs 50,000-Rs 3,00,000 annually even as they study competitive courses at college

As a collegian, who wouldn’t want to earn some extra bucks to pay for their expenses? Some teenagers take up run-of-the-mill jobs at a neighbourhood cafe or call centre. However, the more enterprising ones turn their hobbies into lucrative, more absorbing ‘careers’.

Pallavi Singh tutors city expats in Hindi and has already bagged a job at the American Consulate as their official Hindi tutor.

Love of the language
Take 23-year-old student, Pallavi Singh, for instance. These days, Singh is busy preparing for her TYBA examinations. However, she has her own set of ‘students’ — all expats — who are busy preparing for their exams, too. Singh was only 19 when she thought of becoming a Hindi tutor and teaching the language to international students at Delhi University. Soon after, she moved to Mumbai for further studies and continued tutoring expats here to cover up her education and (exorbitant) living expenses.

Music aficionado Poorvi Srivastav has interviewed veterans, including singer Asha Bhosle, as part of her job at DD National

“It started as a hobby, but slowly, I got to meet people from all over the world and understand different cultures. And, of course, I was making good money and could afford living in Mumbai, which felt great,” added Pallavi, who studies at Sophia College. Pallavi’s work and reputation landed her an opportunity to teach Hindi to noted British historian and author William Dalrymple in Delhi. She has now bagged a job at the American Consulate as its official Hindi tutor.

Music to her ears
Poorvi Srivastav, 20, has a similar, inspiring story. Music, she said, is akin to breathing for her; after all, she was born into a family deeply immersed in music. For this TYBMM student of KC College, a chance to merge music and work by interviewing music bigwigs was a dream come true.

Poorvi Srivastav with Kumar Sanu

“Like my friends, I sent my resume to music companies. I got a call from DD National to be part of their Sunday show, Magic Hour Show, where I would interview music icons such as Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik,” said Poorvi.

“Since I’m from Uttar Pradesh, I have a good command over Hindi. My show’s producer gives me a free hand — I write the script myself and am exposed to aspects of this career that my peers are not. And, of course, I make good money,” smiled Poorvi.

Sanjana Bhandari

The big picture
On weekdays, 21-year-old Anupa Rao is a third-year student of Literature at Ramnarain Ruia College in Matunga. On weekends, however, she’s a budding photographer. Rao, a Chembur resident first got hooked to photography two years ago, and signed up for courses to improve her skills. Now, she shoots pictures for reputed magazines, websites and has begun dabbling in wedding photography. “I get most of my projects through word-of-mouth references,” said Rao, who has also done a course in graphology. She said she likes interior design, too, but her heart is set on pursuing photography professionally after she graduates from college.

Anupa Rao

Inner beauty
Sanjana Bhandari, 20, is not only studying Philosophy (this is her last year of the course), but she also works as a makeup artist, hairstylist and fashion stylist. The Borivli resident recently joined Hindustan Lever for a beauty venture. She has also worked at the Lakme Fashion Week twice, and has attended The Indian Resort Fashion Week at Goa. “I love Philosophy, but I enjoy styling, too. Let’s see where I end up,” she said.

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