According to placement teams across IITs, one of the most significant trends this year has been the surge in demand for professionals who can navigate the world of data and intelligent systems.
“Definitely, more recruiters this year are looking for more data-inclined roles than just pure software profiles such as those into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analysis. The skill set that is being preferred is one, that can go beyond coding, ” said a senior placement cell faculty at one of the older IITs.
At the older IITs, the first phase of placement interviews that began on December 1 is coming to a close on December 15 while the second phase will start from January first week. The newer IITs, which started the placements around September do not have scheduled phases. The recruitment drive at all IITs goes on till May next year.
“Start-ups are looking for graduates who are good thinkers and can do more than just coding,” said a placement cell executive at one of the IITs.
The placements this year have been impacted by the global economic slowdown with IT firms being the most affected and scaling down campus hiring. Many of these recruiters are just headed to the older, which are the first-generation IITs such as IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Madras, and IIT-Kharagpur, among others. The newer IITs, which include the second and third-generation IITs have been particularly hit by the macro slowdown impact.
According to Prof S K Srivastava, placement cell in-charge at IIT-BHU, the specter of AI and automation looms large across industries, irrevocably transforming the landscape of work.
“There has been a noticeable decline in companies seeking pure software profiles. This is primarily due to the increasing adoption of automation technologies, which streamline routine tasks previously handled by software developers,” he said.
Conversely, he added, companies seeking graduates with expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have witnessed a substantial increase. This surge reflects the growing importance of data-driven decision-making and the need for skilled professionals to analyze large datasets and build intelligent systems.
Citing an example, Prof Srivastava said, renowned companies like OLA (ride-hailing services) and Jaguar actively recruited automation engineers from IIT- BHU this year, showcasing the growing emphasis on automating processes and optimizing efficiency.
Also, placement team executives said that companies are increasingly seeking data scientists and AI engineers who possess the expertise to extract valuable insights from massive datasets.
“This changing trend translates into a growing need for individuals skilled in data analysis, machine learning, statistical modeling, and, of course, strong coding abilities. Beyond the realm of data, automation is taking center stage in various industries,” said a senior faculty at an IIT placement cell.
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