Dr. Sahana Prasad
Associate Professor, Department of Statistics
Christ University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Q1. Please share your educational and professional journey?
I studied in Bangalore till 7th std. Then moved to Delhi, where my father got a job. I completed by UG and PG at Delhi University. I moved back to Bangalore after marriage, immediately after my PG.
I joined a college nearby as a lecturer and was happy and contented, with my salary and family. Probably I would have remained complacent as I had a very friendly environment at Shri. Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain College which also made me understand my profession and gave me a lot of happiness as my colleagues and students gave me lot of love and affection.
When I moved to CHRIST in 2004, I realized that I must gain more qualifications if I must move up in my career. I completed MPhil in 2006 and then my PhD. I owe it all to CHRIST for making me understand that professional qualifications are as important as experience to succeed. This, along with my research activities, started me on a totally different path of research and related activities.
Q2. What did attract you towards teaching instead of any corporate job?
I love my profession. I joined a small company, immediately after my PG. They were associated with a college nearby and sent me to replace a computer teacher, who left suddenly. It was then that I realized that my true calling was in education sector. The love and affection I have got in the past 31 years has made all difficulties/ challenges of the profession worthwhile.
Q3. What kind of hurdles did you face in your journey?
In the beginning, it was managing students. I was just 22, when I joined this profession and students were just a couple of years younger to me. Then I slowly understood that improving my knowledge and my classroom conduct would win them over.
As in every profession, I have had some conflicts with co-workers but thankfully, nothing serious. But yes, miscommunication have occurred time and again, even with students, as their understanding would be at a different level.
The most important hurdle was to manage household work, family, and career. I wanted to be the perfect wife, perfect daughter/ daughter-in-law/ relative/ mother as well as a perfect teacher!! This brought in a lot of mental tension as I was unwilling to take help or delegate work. Once I got on to research, it was more tough as I would get some ideas but had to attend to other things rather than research about it.
Q4. What is the meaning of success in your terms?
Happiness and satisfaction in work
Q5. Which one thing do you like most about yourself?
My inter-personal skills and drive to lots of creative stuff, along with teaching.
Q6. Which one thing do you want to change in yourself and why?
To reduce being empathetic and feeling very connected with people. Many a times, the unhappiness of others spill on to me and make me sad too.
Q7. What was the role of your family or colleagues in shaping your visions and goals?
I owe a lot to my parents, my husband LV Prasad, and my children Sharanya and Amit Vikram. They are my solid support system and I could not have achieved this much without their encouragement.
I am indebted to all the 3 institutions I have worked with- NSVK college, Jain College and CHRIST (Deemed to be University). The management, staff and students have played a big role, in my career as well as my writings.
Q8. How do you motivate yourself every morning?
By thinking of so many things I still must achieve in life
Q9. How do you motivate students to excel in their academics and career?
I tell them about myself and other personalities, who have started on paths late in life and urge them not to wait but start immediately on their goals. I share with them my enthusiasm, joy or research and data analysis. I connect with them on an individual level and make them feel valued. This helps me to advise them better.
