As part of our series profiling students with part-time jobs, this week we feature 16-year old Sneha Suresh, freelance singer and a voiceover artist.
Sneha is gaining exposure to the workings of the entertainment industry at a very young age. The big plus point: she has a successful career in the offing. Additionally, she is picking up skills like public relations, public speaking and more at a time when most people her age are struggling with theoretical subjects.
But there would be downsides too. How is she allocating time for study? Sneha says she is doing good, so far. She has been able to strike a balance between her work and studies and enjoys every minute of it.
We find out more.
Name: Sneha Suresh
Age: 16
College: Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai
Currently studying: Second year, Junior College (Class XII)
Job profile: Sneha sings for jingles for television commercials, does playback singing for movies and is also a voice-over artist for television channels and serials.
Monthly Income: Rs 2,000 per assignment; the number of assignments may vary.
Assignments: Sneha has worked on advertisement jingles for brands like Pears Junior, Horlicks, Bournvita, Kellogg's Chocos and Sunsilk. She has done voice-overs for Hungama TV, Disney channel, Pogo and Star Plus. She has worked on the title songs of television serials like Son pari (Star Plus), Shakalaka Boom Boom (Star Plus) and Karishma Ka Karishma (Star Plus). She has also lent her voice to the movie songs likes In Panchhiyon Ko Dekhkar (Koi Mil Gaya), Raju Chacha (Raju Chacha) and Badal Bijli (Dil Kya Kare).
The beginning: Sneha trained for classical singing under Suresh Wadkar. His wife, Padma Wadkar, gave Sneha her first break at the age of nine in the movie Dil Kya Kare with the song Badal Bijli. After that Sneha has never looked back.
Studies-work balance: Sneha thinks of her work as a hobby. Securing assignments is not a problem, but to keep juggling school and hectic working hours is sometimes difficult. During her Class X board exams, she was tempted to give up her work, because she found it physically exhausting and she did not want her studies to take a back seat. But she realised: what is life without challenges? She took up the challenge, and today, Sneha enjoys her work and does justice to he studies and singing equally.
Time-management mantra: She works for three to four hours a day on an average and does not commit to many assignments at a time. Studies are always a priority.
Managing exams: During exams, she does not take up any assignments.
Skill-sets picked up: Her daily interactions with professionals from the industry has helped her brush up her etiquette, as well as refine her manners. Today, she is also more confident when speaking on a microphone.
She has also mastered the art of being diplomatic! According to Sneha, politics, rumours and controversies are a part and parcel of the industry and she believes that though it is necessary to clear up misunderstandings to some extent, sometimes it is wiser to stay quiet and let your work speak for you.
Family ties: Sneha's parents are really proud of her. In fact, they keep encouraging her to balance work and education so she can learn from both worlds.
Future plans: She plans to do an MBA. She would also like to participate in television shows like Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.
Sneha's tips for students: "I believe life shouldn't get too monotonous with a rigid daily schedule. There should be some action and that little extra more to life than just studies. So take up an adventure and learn new things."
Are you a student with a part-time job? Share your tips and experiences