‘My professors were hands-on with feedback, turning my mistakes into strengths’

For Pakhi Bindal, a graduate of the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication programme (Batch 2020–23) at Apeejay Stya University, the journey from being a hesitant writer to a confident Social Media Manager has been nothing short of transformational. Currently working at WhizCo, a creative tech and influencer marketing firm, she credits her time at Apeejay for shaping not just her professional skills but also her perspective on storytelling, teamwork, and adaptability.

Read edited excerpts:

What was it like starting your degree during the pandemic?

When I joined in 2020, the first one-and-a-half years were online. It was difficult to connect, but our assignments and daily GK sessions with Dean Sir kept us engaged. Once offline classes resumed, it was magical. We bonded more deeply, and learning extended beyond books, whether it was writing for the newsroom, shooting documentaries, or interacting with NDTV journalists.

How did Apeejay’s coursework prepare you for the real-world demands of social media?

At first, I wasn’t confident in writing. But my professors were hands-on with feedback, turning my mistakes into strengths. That’s how I developed my own writing voice. In social media, content is the foundation – blogs, articles, captions. Apeejay gave me that base, and over three years, I became confident in handling content marketing.

The programme blends theory with practice. How did that help you?

The curriculum allowed us to pick subjects at different levels. I explored advanced graphic design, TV production, PSA campaigns, and even newspaper layouts. We worked with lights, cameras, editing tools – skills directly applicable to digital marketing today.

You’ve had a very diverse career path. Could you share a few highlights?

After graduation, I experimented a lot. I worked as a wedding planner in Chhattisgarh, organised big events in Delhi, interned in PR, and later worked with multiple businesses. Each role taught me something new about communication, management, and content. Eventually, I found my niche in social media marketing.

Looking back, what was the most valuable lesson you learned at Apeejay?

Narrative building. I realised how perspective shapes stories, sometimes even creating narratives that aren’t entirely true. That lesson guides me daily as a social media manager. Also, Apeejay taught me to “keep moving” to never stay stagnant, because every experience adds value.