This experience at Prime College was a game-changer for me | Pushpa KC, BBA 2076 batch

This experience at Prime College was a game-changer for me | Pushpa KC, BBA 2076 batch

Background: The Intersection of IT and BBA

Let me start by giving you a bit of my background. I’m in the final year of my BBA program, and for the past couple of years, I’ve been working as an IT Assistant at the IT Department of Prime college, where I study. You might wonder how a business student like me ended up in an IT position. The truth is, I’ve always had a passion for technology. Even though my studies are in business administration, I couldn’t resist following my love for tech.

How It All Started

During my second year of college, I came across a job posting for an IT Assistant position in the college’s IT department. They were seeking students to help with technical tasks like troubleshooting, system maintenance, and user support. I saw this as an ideal opportunity to combine my tech skills with my academic life while also earning some extra money to support my studies. After going through a rigorous application process, which included a technical test and an interview, I was offered the job!

Balancing Work and Studies

Juggling my IT job and BBA studies was a challenging task Here’s how I managed to keep up with both:

1. Effective Time Management: I used digital tools like calendars and task managers to schedule my days down to the hour. This helped me allocate time for classes, study sessions, work shifts, and personal activities without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Prioritization: I learned to prioritize my tasks based on deadlines and importance. Whether it was a critical project at work or an upcoming exam, I made sure to tackle the most urgent and significant tasks first.
3. Study Techniques: To make my study sessions more efficient, I adopted methods like active recall, spaced repetition, and group studies. This ensured I was retaining information effectively and could make the most of my limited study time.
4. Leveraging Knowledge: My IT job often intersected with my business studies. For example, when working on Management Information Systems (MIS) assignments, my practical IT experience gave me a deeper understanding of the concepts.

A Day in the Life of an IT Assistant

Let me walk you through a typical day in my life as an IT Assistant. My day usually starts with logging into the IT helpdesk system to review any new booking. After addressing urgent requests, I often have scheduled tasks such as system updates, software installations, and maintenance checks. These activities require meticulous attention to detail and a proactive approach to prevent potential issues.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is problem-solving. Each technical issue is like a puzzle, and finding the solution is incredibly satisfying. Plus, I get to interact with a wide range of people—students, faculty, and administrative staff—which has significantly improved my communication and interpersonal skills.

When it was time to complete the internship requirement for my BBA degree at eighth semester, I initially assumed I would need to find a new position related to business administration. However, after talking it over with my HOD, we recognized that my role as an IT Assistant had equipped me with valuable skills that were highly relevant to my BBA studies.

I carefully documented my work, emphasizing how my IT role incorporated project management, budgeting, teamwork, and strategic planning. For instance, handling the IT department’s budget provided me with practical experience in financial management, while leading a team for a system upgrade project helped me develop leadership and project management skills.

Challenges and Learnings

Balancing my role as an IT Assistant with my BBA studies was challenging. There were instances when deadlines for important projects clashed with exam periods, making it tough to manage both. Here’s how I addressed some of these challenges:

1. Stress Management: I incorporated stress management techniques such as regular exercise, meditation, and ensuring I got enough sleep. This helped me stay focused and maintain my productivity levels.
2. Seeking Help: Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I didn’t hesitate to seek help. Whether it was asking a colleague for assistance with a technical issue or forming study groups with classmates, collaboration was key to managing my workload.
3. Continuous Learning: I made it a point to stay updated with both business and IT trends. This continuous learning approach helped me apply the latest concepts and technologies in my work and studies, keeping me ahead of the curve.

Reflection: The Value of a Multifaceted Experience
Looking back, my experience as an IT Assistant while studying BBA has been incredibly enriching. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Interdisciplinary Skills: The combination of IT and business skills has made me a versatile candidate for various roles in the job market. Employers value the ability to bridge technical and business functions.
2. Enhanced Problem-Solving: My IT role honed my problem-solving abilities, teaching me to approach challenges methodically and think critically—skills that are invaluable in any business setting.
3. Adaptability: Balancing two distinct fields required adaptability and a willingness to continuously learn and grow. This adaptability is crucial in today’s ever-changing professional landscape.
4. Networking: My internship allowed me to build a strong network within the college, including faculty, staff, and fellow students. These connections have been instrumental in my personal and professional development.

Conclusion

This experience at Prime college was a game-changer for me. I gained invaluable technical skills, a deeper understanding of IT infrastructure, and improved my problem-solving abilities. But more importantly, I learned the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. This experience showed me that you don’t have to be confined by your major or background – you can explore, learn, and grow in unexpected ways.

To all the students out there, I encourage you to pursue opportunities that might not seem directly related to your field of study. Embrace the challenge of stepping out of your comfort zone, as it often leads to the most rewarding experiences. My journey as an IT Assistant while pursuing a BBA degree at Prime College has been a testament to the power of combining passions and skills from different domains.