Covid: Graduating students stare at bleak opportunities

MAHIMA CHAUDHARY. Updated: 7/10/2020 11:07:38 AM Front Page

JAMMU: With all that has been going on one thing is very clear that the world will change dramatically after COVID-19 is over. While nobody can be certain about what those changes are going to be, there are concerns related to the career opportunities for the graduating students.
The situation is no different at Jammu University which got closed on March 12th, leaving students with unanswered questions regarding the final exams.
Since the University has failed to come up with a strategy about the exams, it is the students who are facing the brunt of the uncertainty. Students who were already placed are facing problem providing a definite answer to their respective employer about the final year results.
“We are losing job opportunities because nobody is ready to hire new people and especially those whose final exams are still pending. We haven’t heard from the university placement cell since it got closed,” said Shubham Sardhalia, a final year student who is also a member of the placement group of The Business School at Jammu University.
Shubham shares that because of the current situation companies are refusing to conduct a placement drive which is making students wonder if there will be any jobs left for them when all this ends.
Students at Jammu University are demanding that the results be declared based on the previous semesters so that they can start applying for jobs independently.
“Not being able to get placed anywhere is making students anxious and one simply cannot ignore the repercussions this can create,” he says.
Corona virus pandemic has overturned all the career plans. Sinking economy is already making it tough for the companies to hire new people. The news of lay-offs coming in does not help much either. With many employers cutting jobs, there are few who are increasingly embracing the prospect of remote work.
“But the thing with the remote work is that one needs a decent internet connection to be able to work from home efficiently. Many people have lost job opportunities only because they’re resident of a place where internet ban has become a frequent event,” rues another student.
Students are complaining about being dropped off from the placement list due to this reason. Lack of good internet connection is adding up to the misery of the new graduates who are desperately trying to seek job opportunities.
“One must not lose hope and try to remain open-minded. We are trying our best to provide support to the students of the university,” said Vinay Chauhan, Dean Student Placement at Jammu University.
He also told The News Now: “Approximately 70 students have been placed at different organisations. Although their offer letters may be pending at present as for some students joining might be on hold because of this rampant situation.”
“We are all dealing with this extraordinary situation the best we can while trying to find ways to keep ourselves motivated. In order to do help our students who sitting idle at home we have started web lecture series on career planning. Our objective to do that is to engage and counsel the students and prepare them to face the challenges when everything starts opening again. We are guiding the student and informing them about online short certificate course which can help them in skill development,” he added.
“The things are not in our control right now and it is for the higher authorities, UGC and MHRD to take any decision regarding the exams. Right now, we are coping with the situation the best we can,” he concluded.

Updated On 7/10/2020 11:09:54 AM


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