I wasn’t entirely sure how to start off this piece but I’m going to go ahead and do it anyhow because it’s a very apt metaphor for the entire college experience. There have been several times that LSR has seemed intense and intimidating, yet here I am at the end of 3 years, much better off for having gone through the gauntlet. My name is Simran Rawat and I’m a final year student of the Journalism Department at LSR.
From being really apprehensive about joining an all girl’s institution to understanding Sunshine when she barks at men in college, I’ve come a long way. I still for the life of me can’t figure out where the totem pole area is though. Point being that in LSR, there will always be things you don’t know, fresh challenges will always await you, but that’s what makes it unique. LSR allows you to make the most of your college experience in your own way. Everyone chooses their own path and makes their own meanings within these four walls. Even 3 years in, I find this place extremely daunting, there is no dearth of talent all around. But in the presence of so many incredible women, you learn to take exceptional as an example, you learn to treat excellence as the norm and that’s part of the charm!
As someone with a penchant for all things creative, I know I couldn’t have survived or thrived in any department other than Journalism. I’ve always known this to be my passion and I hope I’m well on my way towards my goal now. The department has always been unique in terms of allowing us to play to our strengths and do our own thing within the directives. In my time here, I’ve spearheaded a digital campaign, made documentaries and PSAs, created advertisements and recorded news capsules on ground. Each of these projects has been so close to my heart because I had the freedom to choose my unique brand of journalism. These experiences have also held me in good stead as I interned at NDTV Media in my first summer break, working on social impact-oriented advertising campaigns. The social sector has always been my area of expertise. For the last 7 years, I’ve headed my own NGO, A Cry for Help Foundation. We help adolescents in dealing with problems like peer pressure, self-harm, bullying and more. My work has helped me reach out to thousands of students, teachers and parents. It has given me a chance to interact with renowned social organizations and learn from incredible mentors. It has brought me and my partner media recognition and awards, but also a fair share of difficulties. Handling the demands of managing my employees while interning myself or balancing college work alongside professional commitments was never easy. But I do believe that at the end of the day, wearing many hats has helped me prepare for the real world.
During college, I also got to organize an international exchange program in China through A Cry for Help. I had the opportunity to attend Summer School at University College London, learning with the best and brightest from world over. One of my proudest moments was getting selected to represent LSR and the government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs’ visit to South Korea. These experiences offered me invaluable international exposure and helped me expand my learning beyond the classrooms. Mind you, each of these opportunities came at what seemed like an inopportune time. I flew out to China the day my finals ended, having spent the entire time before organizing the program. I returned from South Korea a few days before finals began and when I was interning at NDTV, I had just begun training my first batch of full-time summer interns. All I can say with certainty is that life is uncertain and when opportunity knocks, you should answer. It may seem like a large leap of faith but you have to trust yourself to be your own parachute.
I’m also grateful that I did not miss out on any of the quintessential college experiences. I was part of the sponsorship team for Juxtapose, our annual academic meet and I had the pleasure of returning next year to head the Hospitality team. I also greatly enjoyed being in the NSS my first year, working with the girls at Hunar was truly a life changing experience. I volunteered for the Khula Darbar and Infrastructure and Logistics teams too, to get a first-hand look into organizing things on campus. Noor, Nexus, Tarang and all our various fests helped me learn something new, even if it was just how to get work done in the metro! I also used college as a jumping off point to push my boundaries in other ways. I started working as a freelance model to see the media industry from another angle. Challenging and chagrin inducing as it was at times, I can’t deny that it was also fun and fascinating to work for brands like Amazon and learnt to walk the ramp in heels without tripping!
So maybe that’s all college is about, getting to the finish line, even as you trip, fall and stumble. Because at the end of the day, it’s the journey that counts! As for the present, I’m currently working as the Regional Leader for the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, doing what I love by advancing the cause of women’s equality. I continue to function as the Trustee of A Cry for Help and hope to scale up our impact this year. After graduating, I may work for a while or take up my masters at the London School of Economics. Current global uncertainty seems to have thrown a spanner in the works but I’m happy as long as I get to go, this year or the next! In conclusion, all I’d like to say is that all’s well that ends well and as this chapter of my life draws to a close, I’m happy that I joined journalism because this is where I discovered my style and my stride. And if you’re a mildly terrified junior reading this, worried how life will play out, don’t worry, not because everything will always go according to plan but because I assure you that it will be okay even if it doesn’t. We were all as worried as you are, in fact we still are! But that’s life and as someone with only slightly more experience, it gets better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, the light is you.
Love, hugs and a shoulder to cry on if you need it
Simran
ISHANI VARMA
Since childhood I had a predilection for ideas which translated into me having the wittiest stories, the most creative projects, and ingenious solutions to common problems. Over time, as my ideas became more vivid, so did the urge to make people relate to them. This led me to an unconventional choice of expression – film-making. Such was my passion, that I scripted, directed, edited and even acted in them. Filmmaking has definitely played a huge role in my life.
By securing All India Rank 1 in the ECA Filmmaking Trials conducted by Delhi University, I got the opportunity to study Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College. In my three years of graduation, I explored as many avenues as possible. Being an active member of the LSR Dramatics Society, I was a part of a production called ‘The Trial Room’ which questioned unrealistic beauty standards set by the society. The Trial Room was one of the most successful productions in the Delhi University Theatre Circuit.
As a budding marketing enthusiast, I interned with companies like Ernst and Young, Nykaa and Indian Folk. These experiences solidified my interest in Marketing even more and led me to start preparing for MBA. In my final year of college, I got an acceptance from the Indian School of Business through its Young Leaders Program. Under this program, I am required to gain a minimum of 20 months of work experience before I join ISB.
My future plans are to pursue a career in Content Marketing in the Media & Entertainment Industry. I enjoy the challenge of working with different organisations, understanding their business and then building strategy/content according to their vision. I will always always cherish my experiences at LSR. I hope to carry forward these experiences and continue to make the Department of Journalism proud.
SANJANA CHAWLA
Hello everyone!
I am Sanjana Chawla, a 20-year-old Journalism undergraduate at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. I am a writer, a self-proclaimed painter, a freelance model and a theatre enthusiast.
“I want to study Journalism after high school!” is what I used to say to all my family and friends ever since I was thirteen! Being in front of the camera, reading news and hosting shows was my dream back then, but the course of things changed and I’m glad “writing” happened to me!
From an enthusiastic “I want to be on screen!” to a quiet & composed “I want to write!”—this transition and journey has been beautiful and I love each bit of it!
I started writing when I was fourteen and it was mostly birthday messages, letters and notes for the people I knew back then. It escalated into writing scripts for the theatre and poems & articles for my own blog and journal. Writing and words for me have been my ultimate love and I want to take up the job of a writer once I graduate!
I pen my emotions, feelings and what I feel every now and then and if there’s something that I’ve realized over these years is that “words are powerful.” Simple and random compliments that people give on whatever I share online mean a lot to me and all of it just makes my day! It feels great to know that people are able to relate to my work and that they “feel” my poems or write-ups.
I joined LSR in 2017 and I am grateful and honored to be able to spend three important years of my life in this institution and for all the opportunities, experiences and learning. Classroom teaching and theoretical knowledge is important, but I always knew that I can’t just restrict myself to college and that I need to go over and beyond it. That’s when internships and work experience came into the picture!
I’ve had the opportunity to intern with over seven organizations in my three years of undergrad. Balancing work with college wasn’t easy and it was full of ups & downs, but I do not regret any part of it!
Doing internships and expanding your horizons is important and that’s precisely what our professors emphasized on since Semester 1! Going out and working in the professional world introduces you to a new space where you get to talk to people, interact, learn from them as well as contribute in the form of your skills and work.
The person I am today is very different from the girl who entered the beautiful LSR Campus in July 2017!
From being dependent on people around me for a thing as small as going to the canteen, to being all by myself and producing a Documentary, News Bulletin, Print, Radio and TV Advertisements, Newsletters and even running a Campaign all alone; I’ve gathered a lot of knowledge and stepped out of my comfort zone. I’ve also had the privilege to be associated with Juxtapose—our Department’s Annual Academic Meet throughout my three years at LSR and it is an important part of who I am. From volunteering in several teams in my first year to Heading the Content team in my second and third years, Juxtapose gave a new meaning to my graduation years and instilled in me the importance and values of teamwork and leadership.
I have evolved as a person, gotten much more confident, learnt a lot, worked on my skill set, became more expressive and became accepting of others and their opinions. I don’t think I’ve achieved a lot yet, but I am glad for being able to make it this far and I am hopeful and optimistic for my future as well.
It is very important to stay grounded and close to your roots. It’s equally important to be firm and have strong opinions about things. We lead a very safe and secure life at home and in college, but it’s all chaotic and fast-paced outside. Your three years of graduation, the classroom you study in, your university, your teachers, your peers and the internships you do prepare you for all of this. All of this make you strong and loads you with learning and precious knowledge.
All I can say from my experience and journey is that be positive and believe in yourself & in what you do. Self-believe and self-acceptance are important and once you have these, the entire process gets easier and fun-filled! Trust the process and love what you do!
Trust me, you’ll be great, you’ll sail through this, you’ll be successful and I just wish the best for you!
Love and wishes,
Sanjana Chawla
ISHITA SHARMA
Apparently, the essay sort of thing I’m writing is supposed to be some sort of a guiding point for the batches below us and for this to reach you, I’ll have to be someone who’s doing well with her life. And I’m sure till a certain extent, my achievements and the work I’ve done will qualify me as someone who is probably doing well but I’m not so sure if I feel the same way about it. I’ve always found my mind indulged in some sort of fast paced revolution and that has kept me to keep on exploring in the urge to change and equip myself to be ‘productive’ enough. And as much as it has kept me active in trying new things, it has made me absolutely vulnerable to my own expectations that I never seem to accomplish. Because no matter what I do, it might not be enough. So, down below are few of my accomplishments of the past three years that still make me feel this way. And It’s just okay 🙂 I’m writing this because I don’t want my accomplishments to be some sort of a standard for you guys rather an example of a consistent struggle that a college kid seems to go through in trying to be enough and prove herself worthy.
The timeline shall go backwards….
In a less distant future, I’m aiming to intern (not work specifically) on a long term basis with advertising agencies like Equinox, Ogilvy and the Caravan to gain a better understanding of distinct mediums to help me make a better choice on the specification of the major I shall choose. In the distant future, I will surely be working depending on my skill set and interest at the time but as of now, I’m more focused towards what I want to learn before I start working full time. Apart from all of this and everything that might just look good on my CV, skateboarding, art, music, travelling, photography and much more have kept me sane and helped me find a balance to manage all of this together. There’s a lot more, obviously but I’ll conclude here. Hope it helps you in some way even though I don’t know how it will. Ohk bye. Take care x
SREYA SURI
My name is Sreya Suri and I am a part of the outgoing 2020 batch of the Department of Journalism at LSR. I decided I wanted to write for a living when I was fourteen years old and when I was fifteen I decided I wanted to study journalism at LSR. I believed college would give me all the answers to my questions- that it would make me a better writer and help me build a career in the competitive media industry.
When I joined college in 2017, I was a 17 year old who didn’t talk very much on account of being shy, and enjoyed writing. Looking back three years later, so much has changed and yet, so much is still the same. Six semesters, three internships, three positions of responsibility, a career shift and countless experiences later, I can safely say that none of it was easy, but all of it was worth it.
When I was in my first year, LSR seemed like a complicated map I couldn’t quite read. There were the problems of learning to live alone, like learning how to wash clothes (a skill I still haven’t mastered!) and being responsible for myself. There was also the issue of trying to navigate the ropes of new classmates, more challenging curriculum and the pressure of being surrounded by excellence perpetually. I am forever grateful for finding a society like the Elocution Society in LSR. Somewhere between doing voice exercises and trying to bring scripts to life, I found home in a space I least expected to. It helped me find confidence and break out of the shell that seemed to be holding me back. I went on to become the coordinator for the society in the next academic year and continue to be extremely passionate about everything this space stands for.
Following a very prolonged sickness the summer before my second year, I resolved to take a more active role in the department. I was always involved in department events and talks, but I wanted to be more involved in how the department worked. I always enjoyed writing and so I applied for the position of Editor-in-Chief of the department’s academic journal. I was chosen and the experience has proved to be invaluable to me. It showed me how diverse opinions are across the department and how incredibly talented and insightful students of the department are. It taught me to listen and how to navigate multiple deadlines. I started to be increasingly invested in the department and contested for the post of President.
Being the President of this department has been challenging, to say the least. But it has all been worth it, because of how much it has come to mean to me. Classes with the teachers have taught me lessons I never consciously tried to learn. They have taught me how to navigate any deadline and how to be honest in any situation. They have taught me how to reference essays and how to handle any hurdle with dignity. I have learnt to handle both a camera and trust carefully. This department has taught me how to be true to this profession we are all so passionate about and most importantly, be true to myself.
Today, I do not know if I have learnt to be a better writer and I am still very shy, but I have learnt so much more. I have learnt to accept and understand privilege, I have learnt to stand for what I believe in, I have learnt to accept my mistakes and try to grow from them and most importantly, I have learnt to listen. I interned at Dell Technologies as a part of their marketing division in June and July 2019 and what set me apart was definitely not my technical prowess but my willingness to learn and my dedication and determination to complete tasks- skills this department emphasises on from day one.
As I graduate, I must admit there is a certain uncertainty that exists. There is a lingering fear of the “real world” and what it holds for me. However, I believe I will be fine. I have some wonderful teachers and a network of extraordinary classmates, friends and seniors to help me along the way. After three years in one of the most competitive and truly talented spaces in the world, I’m sure I can handle what lies out there.
#lsrjournalism
(These articles are written by students as a part of their assignment exercise during the period of COVID-19. Views expressed are their personal. Blog owner does not take any responsibility for their authenticity, correctness or appropriateness and shall not be responsible for any matter arising out of their interpretation.)
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