BENGALURU: Finally, employment choices have come a full circle. In a clear trend, reminiscent of the pre-liberalisation era, engineering graduates are once again choosing government jobs over those in private and multi-national companies. They want job security, more than a fat pay packet.
In campus placements held in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, engineering colleges are noticing graduates’ preference for jobs with Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, BEL and even public sector banks such as State Bank of India. Sensing an opportunity, the Indian Navy is conducting a special recruitment drive for girls in engineering colleges.
A placement officer at a reputed engineering college in Bengaluru told The New Indian Express that government agencies are voluntarily coming for campus placements, unlike private sector firms, knowing well that engineering graduates are preferring them over their private-sector counterparts.
‘Youths keen on serving govt’
College principals and placement officers say that the graduates today are more aware about opportunities in public-sector organisations, and they value job security above all. Prof K N Balasubramanya Murthy, Vice-Chancellor, PES University, said, “Although there were offers from the public sector earlier too, now students have a better understanding about these opportunities. The work environment and job profiles in these companies are good too.”
Prof Ravishankar, placement officer at BMS College of Engineering, said, “Despite lucrative packages offered by private firms, students are choosing government organisations. This is mainly because youngsters seem keen on serving the government these days, and they are drawn to the security these jobs offer.”
That said, engineering students opting for government jobs have an added bonus in good packages that are offered by public-sector companies. As per data available with the colleges, offers start with an annual package of `12 lakh.
Prof M N Guru Venkatesh, Vice President (Placements & Skill Development), Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, said, “The public sector even offers internship wherein they pay up to `30,000 as stipend and, if the student proves his or her talent, the organisation hires them.”
A student of BMS college of Engineering, who received an offer from BEL, said, “Compared to my batchmates, the package I got is a little less. But, I am extremely happy that I will not have to worry about losing my job or about getting a pink slip. In private firms, even if you perform well, there is no job security.”
Another candidate who has been selected by the Indian Navy said, “I was so happy when they selected me during campus placement. People try hard to join them. When I got the offer, I did not think about the pay package or anything else. I just accepted it.”