Are U.S. tech grads really “unemployable”?
June 24, 2009 by Valerie HelmbreckPosted in: Communication, IT employment, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
The CEO of an Indian IT services company has created a furor this month with comment about grads of American colleges being “unemployable.”
The reason, said Vineet Nayar, CEO of HCL Technologies: Many American grads looking to enter the tech field are preoccupied with getting rich. They’re far less interested in learning the “boring” details of tech process, methodology, and tools — ITIL, Six Sigma, and such.
The far-hungrier, less advantaged students from developing countries like India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Ireland seem to be more willing to put their noses to the old academic grindstone and get a firm basis in the fundamentals, says Nayar.
The solution? Nayar told Information Week that leaders of industry need to have a greater say in making the American education more relevant to technology and more rigorous.
As many have pointed out since Nayar made his comments, there are plenty of American CEOs who are singing the same tune.
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Tags: education, employees, HCL Technologies, IT, Vineet Nayar
June 30th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I think it very much depends on the individual. Some tech grads (or grads in general) have a very over-inflated sense of their worth in the market. Some don’t. Some think their degree means they shouldn’t have to work that hard or learn the “boring” details. Some have an incredible work ethic and love to learn. The broad sweeping statement made here is not reasonable, in my opinion. There are too many new grads who do have their heads on straight and who are willing and able to work hard if given the opportunity. (And no, I’m not a new grad. I’m an old-timer who has over 20 years of experience.)
July 1st, 2009 at 8:47 am
There has always been, and will always be complaints from businesses about unprepared grads just as there are whining grads with unrealistic expectations. The fact remains that productivity continues to increase.
Regarding the all important methodology details… It seems they want universities to transition to vocational training for the CEO Pet Project of the Month. If CEO’s would think more long term than next quarter, they may be able to develop their talent better.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:30 am
Oh, don’t get me started on the prevalence of short-term thinking, rk, but you are so right! This is one of my pet peeves! I’m so tired of everything being about “making the month” while we sacrifice the future of the business. In my experience, it’s hard to even get the CEO to look at the entire quarter! It’s all about today with no thought for what we’re doing to ourselves in the long run. And that makes me sick…
December 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I think this is just one more way for the developing countries like India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Ireland to gleen more outsourcing. U.S. tech grads are just as hungry as the rest of the world. With the cost of U.S. education… maybe more.
Keep the Money Local!!!