Of Professional courses and placements

Went to college today after a 2 month long vacation. Being my final year now I’m wondering if I should go for my higher studies or if I should take up placements after completing my BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications). Every To-Be Graduate would have confronted a similar situation. The day started with my one of my teachers reiterating how important this year was going to be and why we should get serious.

Placement Opportunities

If you ask me I’m a bit curious. We do get companies like Wipro (Wase Programe), TCS (Ignite Program) which sponsor your masters while you have to work (read Slog) real hard on weekdays and attend contact classes on weekends. Its like a 24X7 job for a period of four years.

Many people have come up with their reasons for not joining these placements while some shrug it of as an exploitation. Sure, its difficult to work and study simultaneously for 4 years but then what choice do science graduates have? A prestigious Engineering degree is not always a solution to a well paid IT job. Given the conventional assumptions of a B.Tech degree holder being far superior in terms of their technical skills which by and large are true, it does not mean that all Bsc.Comp(H) and BCA students are no good.

In fact, most of BCA students are even better than those engineers who have paid lacks as donations to regional and private colleges mushrooming for a much coveted B.Tech degree.

Wipro Wase program gives hands-on training on live projects and offers a MS Software Systems from BITS Pilani, it also pays a stipend of Rs.6500 for first 3 months, Rs.9000 for first year, Rs.11600 for second year, Rs.16000 for third year and Rs.21000 for the fourth year. I don’t see anything wrong here. Consider it as a scholarship for doing MS from BITS and getting work experience while doing the same. The stipend is just a bonus. One only needs to fund his living expenses which in any case have to be paid if you go to study outside your hometown.

After completing 4 years, you’ll be the MAN. Compare this with a regular 3 year MCA program after which you still remain a fresher! Its a compromise one has to make for future career prospects. And any software engineer has to work hard in the first 3-4 years to get a good standing.

There are other companies like Infosys, Dell and various other small players which offer good learning and work experience to those interested to take up computer applications while TCS, Wipro are the only biggies sponsoring higher education along with it.

Verdict

It all comes down to oneself. If one is able to get through the good universities at the higher education level like DU, JNU, NITs then its good enough. Otherwise given a choice, its always better to work with an A-Grade software company than doing masters from a B-Grade college.

I have this gut feeling that this post may attract criticism, comments from people who matter the most but these were my views and everyone has a right to express their thoughts. You also can do the same as comments but please refrain from mud slinging.