Troubled Times

Finally remembered that I have a blog and that I have promised myself to write...Methinks this writers block that I seem to be having is bigger than DNAs, (though it might be a litle presumptuous comparing myself to the Great Man, a la Mushy Baby comparing himeslf to De Gaulle on the Uniform Issue.) Be that as it may, what really prompted me to get back were two things,

1. The humdrum and monotony of the afternoon knowing that the weekend that was is now far gone behind and the weekend to come is a long way from being around the corner
2. The invite for freshman recruits issues by moi employer

The monotony cannot be cured, partly because the weekend past was a memorable one (mudumlai in all its splendour and elephants et al) ; but the long lines outside the gates of fresh engineers begging employees for references so that they could apply could melt even a heart of stone. Bungs one right back into the times of recession and the pain, angst and anguish that go along the torturous search for the first all important break to get a chance to contributing to the nations GDP. Presents one with the classic conundrum: companies do not recruit freshmen, for they need the experienced ones to bill clients accordingly, though if everyone felt the same, there would be no experience to bill. Inspite of the multiple selection criteria clearly spelt out (including some bond issues and select branches), there still is a sizable turnout , and office gossip has it that over 10, 000 resumes will eventually land up. All this, for possibly not more than 50-100 positions. Simple mathematics tell us that the ratio of resumes to jobs is 1:100, i.e comparable to the ratios for entry into the best B Schools. Logically the next question that springs up is 'where do the rest go??'. One can gloss over this by jsut thinking aloud 'Oh, somewhere, some job is waiting for everyone'. The point remains, is there? Who is to blame? The government, for allowing so many engineering colleges to spring up without considering possible employment opportunities? The media, for making IT seem like the only cushy career option available to youngsters today? The students and their parents, for choosing this profession and ruling out every other vocation as useless?
A coffeetime chat with a colleague gave further insights into this unfolding tragedy. A former employee of NIIT, he recruited graduate engneers as trainers for NIIT branches in the so called 'upcountry ' areas of Karnataka. Folks were ready to drop everything and join at a princely salary of Rs. 1,500/- with a Rs. 5000/- guarantee to boot. He recruited over 100 people over the span of a fortnight. Disturbing , to say the least.