Get Real Mr. Murthy

The claim that IIT graduates are not up to snuff, that coaching classes is one of the reasons responsible for this situation could well be the outcome of the statement being framed incorrectly. An alternate claim could well be that the IT industry does not provide interesting opportunities to attract IIT graduates.

Kudos to the IT Industry:

The IT Industry comprising of notable companies such as Infosys, TCS, WIPRO and others, has put India on the map as a leader in World Class software solutions and BPO service providers. The IT Industry has been so successful that the term “Banglored” is being used to describe jobs in the developed world that are being outsourced. Even President Obama, (who moves his head from side to side as he speaks), talks of jobs that he wants in Buffalo, (while he looks in one direction), instead of evaporating to Bengaluru (while he looks in the other direction). The people involved in the IT Industry are doing a yeoman’s job and something that has brought our Nation a tremendous amount of pride, employs a lot of individuals both directly and indirectly and brings in much needed foreign exchange.

There is more to IT:

IT activity can be broadly categorized as Architecture, Construction and Services. The Indian IT industry for the most part is involved in “construction” activity that extends the customers existing computing environment and services. The former involves “pounding the keyboard”, and the latter involves providing technical support, maintenance etc., answering the phone, and/or doing some administrative work. Star IIT graduates look for opportunities that go beyond these activities, let alone answering the phone during night owl hours!

Where the Opportunity is, Graduates will go:

Consequently graduates gravitate to where the opportunity and remuneration is, be it the Financial or FMCG sectors. Yes, they follow the money. Furthermore, there are attractive opportunities at companies such as Intel, GE, Microsoft, etc. Graduates interested in software development would rather work for high tech companies involved in developing innovative products rather than IT companies involved in “construction” activities. The fact of the matter is that industry comes to IIT and clamor for IIT graduates. Many have multiple job offers. Some are disappointed with the compensation extended and do look for alternatives. And yes there maybe some slackers.

In search of the ideal IT candidate:

The issue of competency in English was raised. Technical skills and competency are orthogonal. One could be very competent technically in Hindi or their regional language. Obviously, English competency is important in the IT industry that is involved in what is commonly referred to as “body shopping”. And yes the IT companies eagerly look for technically competent individuals, fluent in English who would be happy and content “pounding the keyboard” that they i.e. the IT company can “body shop”. Infosys is an excellent company and it does well by hiring graduates that augment its success from regional colleges. An IIT graduate who scores the JEE, and graduates from this elite institute, probably aspires to something more than being recruited and bunched with second and third rung college grads.

In Summary:

It appears Mr. Murthy’s statement was based on anecdotal experience and not grounded on facts. Maybe, just maybe, the IITs are the wrong place to look for the ideal IT employee.