‘I gained immense confidence at this institute’

At present, she is working with Times Internet, under the Economic Times hospitality world vertical, and covers hospitality and business in the B2B segment. However, the path for her was not an easy one. Enrolling in an engineering college to make a career in this sector, she decided to make a complete U-turn. Meet Sakshi Tickoo, who made a bold decision to leave her engineering and instead decided to pursue a Bachelor of Journalism in Mass Communication at Apeejay Stya University (ASU).

“My lifelong passion for writing took me on this path and gave me the strength to pursue BJMC. I aspire to convey meaningful messages through my stories, aiming to be the voice for the voiceless,” says a socially vibrant Sakshi.

In a candid interview, she talks about her growth scale at ASU and how her family has supported her throughout her journey!

Tell us about yourself.

I am an extremely curious individual who is always on the go to extract information from different sources. At present, I am working with the Economic Times in the hospitality sector as a senior digital content writer. It is a B2B sector wherein every day I connect with stakeholders of the company, conduct interviews with owners and ask them about their visions, missions, and goals.

How do you build networking?

Being a journalist, you always have a key in your hand which can be denoted as PR (public relations). Over time, it has helped me connect with different people. This way, I can connect with them through their official ID, discuss their stories, and build the same around them. I have had the privilege of being in contact with people of PR for the last four years. Other than that, you can also contact PR specialised companies who may help you connect with the desired group of people.

Was ASU the right institution to help you become who you are today?

Without a doubt, yes. Earlier, I was an introvert but now, I have become an ambivert and have also gained immense confidence. Faculty and friends were amazing as they helped me reach where I always wanted to be. Even my parents are proud of seeing my growth. For me, ASU was the best decision so far.

How do you keep yourself updated with the ongoing trends?

My mentors have always helped me construct a comprehensive narrative. I source information from diverse platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, books, podcasts, news portals, and even conversations with my younger brother. I believe in extracting insights from various channels because each source contributes valuable perspectives and enriches the overall understanding of the subject matter.

Do you use any technology?

I used to have a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), for which I even explored for a few months but then I dropped it because while AI is useful you can’t rely on it. If you do, you will lose out on your skills — of generating original articles. As of now, I am not using any such technology and intend to embrace creativity at my own pace.