Journalism of Courage
Students of city-based colleges are gradually coming to terms with the economic slowdown,as jobs are getting hard to come by. Those bagging jobs are being paid lower salaries. Some are experiencing a revision in pay package,and a few of them are finding job offers being withdrawn altogether.
Placement experts say pay offers are getting more realistic. Ujjwak K Chowdhury,director,Symbiosis College of Mass Communication says,The effects of the slowdown are reflecting in placements in all colleges. The hype that was there a few years ago is practically not sustainable for the Indian economy. Packages for our students have also been revised though I am not aware of any withdrawal of offers. Companies are offering tight packages and we plan to complete placements by the end of April.
Madhuri Sathe,executive director,Indira Group of Institutes,says,The placement scene is getting more real in terms of offers. Unlike last year,when students had a lot to choose from,this time,they are not left with much choice. Students are coming to terms with the situation.
At Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT),the lowest package is Rs 1.44 lakh and the highest Rs 6.7 lakh so far. Manoj Mehrotra,placement head at MIT,says,Companies are offering reduced packages. A few are revising it from time to time. Some companies are also taking steps,like making students sign bonds,and keeping their certificates,to ensure they don’t quit the job. It is a common phenomenon and we cannot claim we are untouched by it.
Mayank Jhatakia,a student of a renowned college,is a victim of package revision. The company went on lowering the offer and eventually we had around three to four revisions. After three revisions,I made up my mind to drop the offer.
Parth Tapadia says a company withdrew an offer to him. I was looking forward to joining after completing my course. Though it came as a rude shock,I now know that times are tough. I am sitting again for placements.
Aman Rana,corporate relationship manager,Monsterdotcom,Pune,says,There has been a sudden increase in registration by freshers on our portal. The situation is so bad that many colleges are allowing small companies that pay salaries on a commission basis,to pick employees from their students. After November-December last year,the students had already started feeling insecure.
