My background...

My early education was in various schools in Telangana. I completed my B. Pharm from G. Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy, Mehdipatnam, Telangana. Due to bifurcation, we shifted to Andhra Pradesh three years ago. I then completed my M. Pharm from Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Right after graduation, I joined Bapatla College of Pharmacy as assistant professor. I have been teaching here for a year and a half. I teach Pharmaceutical Analysis to first year students. I wanted to work in the pharmaceutical industry at first and went to many interviews, but due to gender bias I was not able to land a job, even though I was equally qualified as the male candidates.

My approach to teaching...

Even though this was not initially my chosen profession, I love teaching. I enjoy the time I spend with my students every day. I participate in sports with them, and I mentor several students weekly. This gives me the opportunity to have closer conversations, including discussing any personal challenges they may be facing.

When I was in school, I was literally in fear of mathematics and chemistry. But I remember how my chemistry teacher helped me and others overcome that fear by the way they taught. They would make the classes interactive, use creative methods to explain difficult concepts, and teach us tips for remembering structures in organic chemistry and how to prepare for exams. I draw inspiration from that experience. After I teach a new concept, I ask one of my students to come up and explain the same concept to everyone. I would ask questions on the same topic the next day. It is important to use reinforcement techniques, so the students retain more of what they learn in class.

My advice to graduating students...

I would strongly advice my students to grab any opportunities they get for employment in the industry, and not to be too picky. They will get chances to change their job later to something they prefer more. That is a lesson from my own experience. I was offered medical coding job at first. But I rejected the offer, and, to my regret, I found it difficult to land an alternative job later.

My Aikyam experience...

It took the facilitators and students some time to understand Aikyam program’s structure, objectives, and activities. However, once we picked it up, the students were enthusiastic and, as a facilitator, I was surprised and impressed by the students’ creativity, their ability to think out of the box, and see different perspectives. As a result of Aikyam, they are more active in class as well.