IIT-B starts grooming sessions for students

Merely getting into an IIT is no guarantee for a job. It is one thing to take your engineering subjects seriously, quite another to convince a recruiting firm that you know your stuff.

Despite a better 2009-10 placement season at IIT Bombay compared to 2008-09, 20 of 200 companies did not make a single recruitment. The students they interviewed were found inadequately prepared, lacking in focus or unclear about goals.
Some students had poor communication skills and not enough awareness about the companies.

Now, IIT Bombay is restructuring its placement system. “We found that some students were under-prepared from the technical point of view. They may have had knowledge and background, but didn’t know what aspects to focus on,” said Ravi Sinha, professor-in-charge, placement, IIT Bombay. “Accordingly, we have decided to overhaul the system, which includes redefining the placement team to better meet students’ requirements.”

The system at present comprises department and institute placement nominees. But the new structure will comprise placement managers, department placement coordinators and company coordinators.

“Department placement coordinators in the previous structure would be tied up with too many things, including contacting companies, guiding students and verifying resumes. They never got enough time for anything,” Sinha said. “But now, since company coordinators will deal with the recruiters, department coordinators will be in a better position to prepare students through training workshops, group discussions and mock interviews.

“They can focus on what students are looking for and see if the companies they are keen on meeting fit that description.”
Placement managers, unlike institute placement nominees, will interact less with companies. Their focus will be to ensure smooth coordination between department and company coordinators.

To ensure that students are better prepared, IIT Bombay is focusing on improving their soft skills. Assistance is being taken from faculty members and also companies are being invited to talk about the kind of technical work they do to create awareness among students.

“To make sure students are able to do as well as their potential, we are organising workshops (on aspects like communication skills, among other things) which are being conducted by professionals,” Sinha said. “Students may not feel communication is an important aspect, but they are more receptive if professionals talk to them.”