Poor skills force engineering students land in petty jobs

Hyderabad: Engineering universities and colleges across the nation pride themselves as high-class institutions imparting global quality education to students who are willing to build a successful career in the realm of engineering.

But those are confined to words as most of the engineering students are getting placed in call centres and mostly in marketing jobs.

Most of the recruiters say that the students have poor communication skills. They are surprised that students are even mugging up interview questions.

Any out-of-the-box question from HR makes the student feel like it is out of the syllabus. "The qualities we are looking in a fresher is not of high order. We screen for their attitude to learn and work as a team player in a new environment," says an expert.

Speaking to The Hans India, a placement head in a reputed organisation says: "Final year graduation is a crucial turn for the students.

They have to decide about their professional life and career. Every student gets the goof platform but most of them are not be able to utilise it to grow in the company.

The job market is full of challenges. It requires training and expertise to compete in the corporate world. Campus placements are the most significant factor in a student's life. Though we provide the best placement training most of the students fail in that, and we are trying to get the best out of them."

It is found that falling standards in engineering education is attributed to permissions given for new colleges without studying the capabilities of the managements' credentials in providing good education.

"With the mushrooming of the colleges across the state, most of the educational institutions are falling short of providing quality education. Every stream has a phase as per the demand and supply of the market.

So, during 2000-2019, engineering was at its peak. But eventually, when the quality was not delivered, students were not able to get placed," says Murty, a placement consultancy head.

Parents who want their children to be engineers right from their high school days have to change their perception of education. "Colleges are pressurizing students in the name of placements.

If they add the aptitude, logical reasoning and soft skills to their curriculum there is no need for the students to feel the pressure. It's their (college management) responsibility to ensure that this change in curriculum happens," says Sarada, a parent.

With all the paraphernalia of placement exercise, not all students get placed. There are many unlucky ones who will be waiting to be placed even after couple of years of completion of their course.

"When there is no placement after the degree, it becomes very difficult for us. Due to all this, we began to think that pursuing medical studies was a better option than engineering. Also, we are vexed with this educational system," says Sunil, a student of Andhra Loyola Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Not all students have the skill to go through the placement process conducted by companies. "There are so many companies now. At the same time the rate of unemployment is also too high.

It is the duty of placement cell in college to groom students for the interviews. The placement cells should upgrade themselves in tune with the HR of international companies so that students stand a chance to clear all their tests," says Pavan, a student.

Cibin, an MNC HR, says "Honestly speaking, in today's world, it's not just about the knowledge one has but the ability to adapt and learn that companies look for.

Companies can provide training on the job to make the new entrant get into the groove. I always look for the candidates who have the ability to adapt to changes very quickly and solve problems that arise, and not become a part or source of new problems.

When I find such people, I take them in, groom them as much as I can, and try my best to pay them as much as they want." It's all about the will not skill!