It was with great enthusiasm that she announced that she was starting a new position as an Assistant Account Executive at FleishmanHillard, a global PR agency. Embarking on a journey to getting global approval, recently she embarked on a different trajectory.
“I am now working in a sector in which I always wanted to make a career in – teaching. It is a new beginning and a new chapter of my life, poised to embrace fresh horizons and forthcoming challenges,” Grishika Jaggi, an alumna of Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication.
In a candid interview, the PG diploma holder in Corporate Communication/Public Relations and Event Management talks about her journey from journalism and mass communication to being a teacher.
Tell us about yourself.
I am at present, working as a PGT teacher of Mass Media at Modern Convent School in Dwarka. I initially pursued journalism and mass communication, followed by a course in Articulation and Corporate Communications at the App Institute of Mass Communication. I briefly worked in PR at FleishmanHillard. However, my interest in teaching led me to join Modern Convent School as a PGT teacher in Mass Media.
Was it challenging to transition into teaching?
The transition wasn’t difficult because teaching had always been my passion. While I explored journalism and communication, my heart was set on teaching. My earlier experience in PR wasn’t fulfilling, prompting me to switch to teaching when the opportunity arose.
How long have you been teaching?
I started teaching in December after concluding my previous employment in November. I am teaching classes XI and XII. When I was in college, the curriculum was vast, whereas teaching Mass Media in school has a more focused overview of topics like advertising, television journalism, and radio journalism.
Could you share a memorable experience from your time at the AIMC?
One memorable experience was managing a last-minute Christmas event. There were some challenges to begin with. We had reached a stage where the event was almost canceled. Despite unexpected challenges, we successfully organised the event, distributing Christmas hampers to students and teachers. The spontaneity of the event made it a unique and appreciated experience. Moreso, since in the end I was the one who ended up doing a major part of the work.
Was teaching always your career goal, or did you consider working in mainstream or digital media?
Teaching was a long-standing passion for me, dating back to my bachelor’s days. While I explored various journalism roles, including working for the Hindustan Times, my heart was set on teaching. I eventually found my way back to teaching after exploring different avenues in the media.
How was your experience with the faculty at AIMC?
The faculty at AIMC was cooperative. My course faculty prepared us for the corporate world by instilling a sense of pressure and professionalism. While challenging at the time, I now realise it was for our betterment.