Engineering institutes across the spectrum are finding it difficult to place students with masters degrees with companies preferring ‘less qualified’ graduates who come cheaper and are “easier to mould.”
The difficulty in placing senior students extends to tier-II institutions, and not just the premier Indian Institutes of Technology. “Companies wonder what additional value they bring to the table other than a little more maturity. It is unfortunate but today, those with more experience matter; not those with qualifications,” says P Thiruvengadam, senior director, Deloitte India.
The consulting firm has roped in a few hundred BTech engineers but none with a masters degree. “The problem to an extent lies with how Indian companies are structured. They simply don’t need too many people with masters degrees . That’s what is reflected during placements ,” says Amitabh Jhingan, partner, Transaction Advisory Services and National Sector Leader – Education, Ernst & Young India.
