Voice of an EA – Murthy

I was captivated by the role of an Expert Answerer – a work from home option, work available 24/7, answering questions posted by students – what better opportunity could I ask for… The Chegg In-House team gave me constructive feedback that helped me learn to develop student-friendly answers… I always look to grab more number of questions from my cozy corner…

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Q. How were you introduced to Chegg?

I am grateful to my classmate from Pharmacy College who introduced me to Chegg. She is also an active Expert Answerer on the Chegg Question and Answer (Q&A) board. When I surfed the net to know more about Chegg, I was captivated by the role of an Expert Answerer – a work from home option, work available 24/7, answering questions posted by students – what better opportunity could I ask for?

Prior to working for Chegg, I worked as a teaching assistant and I taught Biology for students. My students used to recommend me to their friends for subject-related help and so I became famous among the student fraternity. Teaching is a very respectable job. I am very happy that I am working on the Chegg Q&A board.

Q. What are your educational qualifications?

I studied in a residential college that gives admission to students only on merit basis. I graduated in Pharmacy with a distinction. I qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research Test (NIPERT).

I pursued Master of Research (MRes) Degree equivalent to MPhil in the University of Leicester, Britain. My research was published in the years 2015, 2016 in prestigious neuroscience journals. I got my own research profile with significant stat score in http://www.researchgate.com. I have experience working as freelancer for Academic Knowledge Company, Nottingham, UK. Now, I am back to India and currently working for Chegg as Expert Answerer. Chegg is the only source of my income.

Q. Narrate your experience with Chegg?

My beginnings were quite bumpy. I received a lot of critiques from the Chegg In-House team. It took time for me to get into the groove. Once I received questions on Osteoporosis and Genetic Polymorphism. I gave a scholarly answer for a high-school level question, and it wasn’t helpful to the student. Average level students, who really struggle to understand the subject approach Chegg for help and answers should be written for their understanding. The Chegg In-House team gave me constructive feedback that helped me learn to develop student-friendly answers.

I am quite competent with genetics and brain physiology and I enjoy answering questions related to those subjects. I can answer all the students’ questions related to other areas of biology like marine biology, fish biology, aquatic biology, population genetics, neurobiology, cardio-biology, plant biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, environmental science, and earth sciences. I am also getting good ratings from the students on the answers that I provide.

Q. What’s your routine and how much time do you spend on the Chegg Q&A Board?

I live in a small rented flat with an air cooler installed. I have a small work set up with two laptops and a good internet connection. I work on the Chegg Q&A board from 6PM to 5AM. I spend at least 12 hours a day on the Chegg Q&A board and answer more than 1000 questions a month.

Though the nights are very cold and invite sleep, I cannot suppress my zeal for answering as many questions as possible. I follow a certain regime to keep myself awake in the night despite the tranquil settings. As the day dawns, I refresh myself.  I have my toast and hot coffee. I sleep until afternoon. I take a light meal in the afternoon – a lot of fruit, and rice, probably once in a day. At 3PM, I go out for a walk to rejuvenate myself and then get back to answering questions on the Chegg Q&A board.

Working for Chegg is never boring and I work at peace. I always look to grab more number of questions from my cozy corner. I go to pubs on the weekends. These days I am trying to work even during the weekends to earn some extra bucks.

Q. Share something about your family.

I hail from a village near Vizag. My father earns a meager pay as a tailor and my mother is a home-maker. I support my parents. We live in a rented house. I bought a laptop for my parents so that they can have a live chat with me and feel happy to see me even when I am miles away from them. My family is well-off after I joined Chegg. I am penny-pinching in order to complete my degree.

Q. Cite a memorable moment.

The day I received my first pay check from Chegg was truly memorable. In those days, my health condition wasn’t very good as I suffered from a chronic disease. I also went through a surgery. Doctors had advised me to avoid working outside. Chegg gave me an opportunity to work from home and it was a ray of hope for me. Getting my first pay check during those desperate times was truly memorable.

Q. Have you ever introduced anyone to Chegg?

I did introduce my friends to Chegg, and they are working actively on the Chegg Q&A board.

Q. What are your plans for your future?

I want to become a scientist in the department of Neuroscience. Nowadays, most of the people are suffering from neurological disorders like – Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Psychosis etc. None of them have a complete cure, however we can minimize the potential effects. Every 10 out of 100 Indians suffer from Neurological diseases. Thirty percent of Indian patients suffer from Cardio Vascular diseases, which is due to the intake of improper diet. My goal is to implement a department of neuroscience in every Indian University. To achieve such a dream, I need to be well equipped and that’s why I went to England.

Whatever goals I may have, when it comes to Chegg, I will never discontinue.  Professionally, we retire but when coming to helping students we can continue doing it all our life. I am so attached to Chegg and I will work for Chegg till death do us part! (Smiles)

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