Shubhashree Sangameswaran, better known as Shub around the office, celebrated her one year anniversary at Milaap! This was a great excuse for cake (though cake needs no excuses), singing and fanfare around the office! We asked her to share how her year has been, this is what she had to say!
I’ve been looking at the screen for the last ten minutes, wondering what I’m going to say about completing a year at Milaap. A bit ironic, considering I was hired to do exactly that – write.
On most days when someone asks me about my job – I start off explaining what we do at Milaap – and then sort of mumble, “I handle communications.” ‘Handle communications” would accurately describe my job…on about 50% of the days.
To be honest, I was conned into taking up this job by Sourabh and Anoj, our smooth-talking co-founders. I was told my main responsibility would be writing borrower stories for the site. And I do write borrower stories – about 10% of the time. The rest of the time is a mixed bag, really.
Some days I’m writing copy for the website, some days I’m subtitling videos. Some days I’m holding the microphone and recorder and following our videographer, Bianca. On most days I’m replying to emails by the dozen.
And, on a few off days, I’m writing borrower stories!
The part I love the most though? The days I get to go to the field. Sure, being the Spotboy/Mic-holder to a super-energetic videographer who wants ‘one more interview’ can be tiring. I don’t particularly relish the role of the interviewer either. (Pop quiz: what’s the word for microfinance in Tamil/Kannada/Hindi? See!)
But at the end of the day, being able to talk to the people who benefit from the loans, seeing how the loans have helped them feels good.
It also feels good to be a part of a team that’s super-charged and keeps challenging you to do more, constantly. One that keeps you on your toes.
It’s been a good year with Milaap :)
