IT industry – Is reality setting in despite symptoms for Long?

Four years back I was addressing the freshers’ introduction in an engineering college at Khammam. I asked the students how many of them would like to take up a job in IT. 80% of the students raised their hands. I took about an hour to go over the advantages of Core Engineering, Attempting for Indian Engineering Services, scoring well in GATE and how Public Sector Companies recruit from GATE. When I re-polled the percentage looking to join IT came to 30%. I figured out that many of the students do not have right knowledge and resources. 

Reading the news that Infosys RELEASED 9,000 over an year is a writing on wall in IT industry that many refused to see for a long time; Colleges, Students, IT Leaders and educators. Increasing demands from customers on any Application Maintenance Services (AMS) and testing services contracts to reduce cost year on year by vendors forces automation to keep margins. I really appreciate Infosys HR head who boldly admitted to the fact they RELEASED 9,000 over year because of automation.

I cannot name the companies here but many more IT companies are following with reduced campus hiring and retraining people or shifting them to other functions.

·     One IT major stopped visiting Tier 3 colleges. When colleges feared that they might be affected and requested the company to visit the campus the hiring went from 100s to single digits. While the company recruited 45,000 for 2016 passing graduates the numbers forecast for 2017 pass outs would be 25,000.

·     Another couple of major companies announced that they will reduce campus placements this year

What’s the solution:

In my opinion the following will be a start:

• At least now educators and education system will start focusing on core engineering, let people know the opportunities available, start fundamental science and engineering that can be used in industry

• Students – stop using one guide for all and learn concepts, you are in global competition, if you cannot think, write and communicate clearly you are out of competition

• Teachers: Educate yourself with new areas of subjects and show commitment to educating next generation India. Students look up to you

• Leaders in Industry: Speak truth on customers’ expectations that can translate to your current and future employees as opportunity. If they fail to catch the wave they will be in a watery grave

Author is a teacher, researcher and IT leader who worked for IBM in US and Microsoft in India