Do Indian IT Companies Consider Academic Background When Assigning Projects to Freshers?

Many freshers entering the Indian IT industry, particularly from high-repute institutions such as TCS, Wipro, and Infosys, often assume that their academic background and practical experience will play a crucial role in the projects they get assigned. However, contrary to this belief, many graduates find themselves working on less-than-ideal projects that do not align with their skills or preferences.

A Case Study: An IT Engineer’s Experience with TCS

I recently graduated with a B-Tech in Computer Science from a reputable university. During my college days, I worked on various projects using diverse programming languages such as C, Java, and even dabbled in big data. Of particular note, I completed an internship in a renowned firm, where I significantly contributed to a big data project. This experience offered me valuable insights into the industry and enhanced my resume.

Desiring to build on my achievements, I was offered a permanent position at this firm. However, due to the remote location and lower compensation, I decided to join TCS, a globally recognized brand. My assumption was that, given my extensive experience, TCS would allocate a project that would be a perfect fit for me, and I would be a productive employee. But little did I expect what awaited me in their Initial Level Program (ILP) training.

Disappointment in the Initial Level Program (ILP) Training

Shortly after joining, I received a call for the TCS ILP training. To my surprise, despite my diverse skills, I was assigned one of the least desirable projects: mainframe work. Not only is the mainframe a relatively unexciting area, but it offers no development work, lacks interaction, and presents a uniform challenge regardless of whether one comes from a computer science background or another technical discipline.

This experience confirms what many freshers face: project allocation in Indian IT companies is far from personalized to an individual's academic or professional background. As a fresh graduate, my perspective is limited to the experiences of my peers, but these lackluster assignments are a common occurrence.

A Fresher’s Perspective on Project Allocation in Indian IT Companies

From my interactions with fellow freshers, it is evident that many of us find ourselves working on similar less-than-stimulating projects. The reason? There seems to be no substantial consideration of our academic specialties or the skills we have acquired during our educational journey. This raises the question: what criteria do companies use to allocate projects to freshers?

Insight from a Personal Connection

To further illustrate this point, I recently spoke to my brother, who is also a fresher in the IT industry. Here’s what he recently told me:

Select 10 labors
from MNC
where experience 0
and skills 0
but willing to learn 100
and problem-solving common sense

My brother’s humorous description captures a common reality: companies seem to choose candidates based on their willingness to learn and problem-solving skills rather than their academic background or previous experience.

Conclusion

The allocation of projects in Indian IT companies, such as TCS, does not appear to be driven by individual academic strengths or practical experience. This can be disheartening for freshers who might have invested significant time in gaining specific skills and specialization. It highlights the need for more transparency and a focus on matching freshers with projects that align with their skills and interests. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how companies evolve their approaches to project allocation.