Students talk about their side hustles
It never crossed Shefali Srivastava’s mind that her love for gardening and the creative use of leftover diyas one Diwali would turn into a successful and relaxing side hustle amid academic stress. It was only when her friends began asking to buy her creations that Shefali realised that her passion for plants could be more than just a hobby. She started by crafting small, vibrant pots; planting succulents, and adding delicate clay figurines – little works of art that brought life to any space. Soon, she was selling her mini plant pots and handcrafted terrariums to her peers, even offering custom designs. “It started as a fun thing, but then people appreciated and started buying them, and that gave me so much motivation to continue,” Shefali shares. Now a fourth-year PhD student, she has been creating and selling pots over the past year at IISc and has turned it into a successful side hustle.
Across campus, students are channelling their passions into meaningful projects. Some have turned their childhood hobbies into thriving businesses, while others have found new interests through collaboration. Whether it’s crafting, digital design, content creation, or teaching, students are embracing opportunities to apply their skills in ways that enrich their lives and the community around them. Many are finding that their efforts bring them a sense of personal fulfilment and purpose along with being financially viable.
From passion to impact
Vidhu Catherine Antony, an MTech (Research) student in the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, rediscovered her love for crafting through quilled earrings – little accessories made by intricately rolling strips of paper. She used to make them in her Bachelor’s years but had stopped to focus on her studies. However, after joining IISc, she picked up quilling again and found that it helped her navigate stress at work and health issues. Her intricate paper jewellery has since become well-known on campus.
“Some people don’t realise how much effort goes into making a single pair,” she explains. “It’s not just rolling paper; it’s about making something unique and durable.” Creating a simple piece requires two hours, with additional steps of varnishing and drying over days to finish the product, whereas some complex designs may require up to a month for completion.
Making a single pair of quilled earrings is not just rolling paper; it’s about making something unique and durable
She also experiments with different materials and techniques to keep her designs fresh, incorporating beads, metallic foils, and resin among others to create new and unique designs. She has expanded her quilling art to unexpected designs like tabla sets and chess pieces that one wouldn’t easily guess were made of paper. The income from her endeavour enables her to pay her course fees and become financially independent.
Mihir Kumar, a YouTube content creator, uses his channel to simplify complex scientific concepts. He used to teach coaching classes but shifted to a digital medium when he started his PhD and couldn’t engage with students directly.
Though he doesn’t charge for his content, helping students grasp difficult topics is payment enough. “The best part is when someone tells me my video helped them understand something they were struggling with,” he says. His focus is on teaching content that students find difficult while preparing for competitive exams and he helps them by going through the syllabus of the exams as well as through problem-solving. The students writing to him in gratitude motivates him to keep going.
While Mihir prefers to create online content, Aarthi R, a PhD student at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, pursues her passion for education offline. She merged her love for teaching with her interest in interacting with children and ventured into tutoring. She realised that she loved to teach when she found herself enjoying the process of breaking down concepts to her classmates, and that has grown into something bigger. “When the kids are curious to learn, it makes me want to learn more on the topic as well,” she admits. Hearing the children’s perspective of the world has also allowed her to expand her horizons and increase her confidence and a sense of accomplishment outside of academia.
There are also those who found their calling in helping others. Prince Singh, Gautam Revanker, and Maharudra Kharsade volunteer with a campus nonprofit club called Science for Rural India (SFRI), teaching science to rural children. “It’s not about making money, but about making an impact,” explains Prince, an Integrated PhD student in Biological Sciences. They conduct hands-on experiments, encouraging curiosity and excitement for learning. Their sessions are designed to be interactive. “Instead of just lecturing, we use models, simple experiments, and storytelling to make science exciting,” says Gautam, a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. They work on showing simple science experiments to the children which can be performed with household items, making the process more exciting for children. “The goal is to make science accessible beyond the classroom,” Prince explains.
It’s about making an impact … The goal is to make science accessible beyond the classroom
Samuel Itang, an international PhD student from Nigeria at the Centre for Ecological Sciences and a graphic designer, has turned his creative skills into a business, designing logos and posters for companies, using minimalist designs. His designs have been featured in successful ad campaigns, something that brings him immense pride. “When I see a design I made on a big platform, I feel so full of myself,” he laughs. “It’s a great confidence boost.” To further refine his craft, Samuel has learned various new software tools to keep up with design trends and make the work more customised for himself.
Balance and community
For all their efforts, fruitful and fulfilling as they are, the biggest enemy remains time. The challenge, students say, is to balance these ventures with academic pursuits. Shefali sets aside two hours in the evening for her crafting work before returning to her lab work. Vidhu accepts only a manageable number of orders to keep her passion from becoming a source of stress. For Mihir, weekends are when he finds time for his creative quests. The SFRI volunteer group distributes the school visits among people to avoid it becoming too taxing for any individual.
Many have found that their side hustle provides an essential mental break from academic rigour. “Being around kids is a great stress buster for me,” reveals Aarthi. “No matter how exhausting my day has been, when I start teaching, it lifts my mood. Their curiosity and excitement about learning remind me why I love doing this in the first place.”
Samuel feels his art acts as an emotional outlet. “When I’m designing, I almost forget I’m a scientist. I turn on some music and just focus on creating. It helps me clear my mind, especially when life gets overwhelming,” he remarks. Some of his best design ideas came when he was stressed. “It’s funny – sometimes when I’m under pressure, I end up creating something new that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.” For him, designing is a way of de-stressing by doing something productive.
When I’m designing, I almost forget I’m a scientist. I turn on some music and just focus on creating
A strong support system has been crucial for many students in pursuing their passions amidst academic pressure. “Being part of the hostel community gave me a platform to showcase my work and connect with like-minded individuals,” Vidhu says. In the early days when she was nervous about selling her work, her peers were kind and appreciative. Vidhu recalled a particularly touching moment when a friend insisted on paying extra. “They told me, ‘You make the world a better place. Please use this to spread more love.’ That kind of support means everything,” she says. “IISc as a community is really great,” Shefali reiterates, explaining her positive experiences with members of the New Girls Hostel WhatsApp group where she posts her products.
Early support from friends was also valuable for Samuel to learn graphic design. His friend aided his education in designing. Mihir credits his parents and schoolteachers for supporting his interest in teaching.
Developing life-skills
Beyond the personal satisfaction that comes from their projects, many have also developed valuable skills. Mihir’s experience with creating YouTube content has strengthened his ability to communicate effectively. “Initially, I was awkward on camera, but after making so many videos, I’ve learned how to communicate more clearly and confidently.” Through continuous practice, he has become more articulate and confident, which has translated into improved interactions both online and offline.
Samuel, through his graphic design work, has honed his adaptability and client management skills and prides himself on his ability to fulfil client deadlines. Through his role in rural science education, Prince has significantly improved his communication and leadership qualities. Managing different student groups and coordinating lessons has built his confidence in leading activities and engaging with diverse audiences. These experiences have also deepened his ability to think on his feet and handle unexpected challenges in real-time.
As more students embrace passion projects, they discover that these experiences are more than hobbies – they are opportunities for growth, self-expression, and meaningful contributions to the world. Each student’s project is unique, yet they all share a common thread – turning their creativity and skills into something that has an impact on the wider community. Instead of letting doubts and hesitation stop you, Aarthi says, “Just try it once, whatever your passion, it might end up turning out great for you.”
Shreya Gangwal is a PhD student in the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc and a former science writing intern at the Office of Communications
(Edited by Sandeep Menon)
