Predictors of Employability of Engineering Graduates in Campus Recruitment Drives of Indian Software Services Companies

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify predictors of employability of undergraduate engineering students in campus recruitment drives of Indian software services companies. Data with respect to the academic background of 559 engineering graduates from a reputed engineering college in South India along with their performance in various non-technical training were analyzed vis-à-vis their performance in the campus recruitment drives of major Information Technology companies in India. Correlation and multiple regressions were performed to test hypotheses. It was observed in this study that knowledge of engineering (GPA) and proficiency in English language are important predictors of continuous employability 1 of engineering graduates in campus interviews of software services companies. It was also found that unlike in other core engineering sectors, female students are better performers than their male counterparts in campus recruitments in software services industry. Outcome of this study would be of greater relevance to college management, Training & Development professionals, recruiters as well as the student fraternity in developing those skills that are required to enhance employability of fresh graduates in software services industry.

A Human Capital Evaluation of Graduates from the Faculty of Management Sciences Employability Skills in South Africa

“…In essence, task-directed engagement and application of knowledge as indicated by Parker and Griesel (2009). These results underline those of Gokuladas (2011) which found that academic skills coupled with communication skills enhanced the employability of graduates. Additionally, a study by Nair et al (2009) found that employers indicated problem-solving skills, the ability to develop new or innovative ideas to mention a few were essential attributes of employability.…”

Differentiating factors in ARA Groups(groups of high academic achievement) and its effects on the definition of university strategies

“…El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar si este programa tuvo algún impacto en el comportamiento de un grupo de variables que están consideradas como predictores de una mejor empleabilidad, de acuerdo con la literatura científica previa: (a) el rendimiento académico (Baird, 1985, Baker, 2008Brown, 1984;Gokuladas, 2011;Hassanbeigi et al, 2011;Imose and Barber, 2015;Johansen, 2014;Schick and Kunnecke, 1982;Thoms et al, 1999); (b) la participación en programas internacionales de intercambio y (c) la realización de prácticas en empresas Gault et al, 2000;Knouse et al, 1999;Knouse and Fontenot, 2008;Taylor, 1988;Weible and McClure, 2011). Se incluyó en este estudio empírico cuantitativo al total de 3,543 estudiantes matriculados en los cinco grados que ofrecieron esta innovación durante el periodo 2010-2014, principalmente estudios tecnológicos.…”

“…Some studies have demonstrated that better grades in college is likely to result in high performance in the professional world (Schick and Kunnecke, 1982) linked to the recognition by many employers that academic achievements are key predictors of job performance because abilities to perform a job, like intelligence, motivation, etc., were also present in grades (Baird, 1985;. Gokuladas (2011) showed in an empirical study, that academic variable GPA (Grade Point Average) has significant effect in enhancing employability of engineering graduates. When hiring new college graduates for engineering positions, managers in the hightech industries frequently give substantial weight to the candidate's academic background (Shick and Kunnecke, 1982).…”

“…In the first place, earlier research found strong connections between higher academic performance and heightened employability (Baird, 1985, Baker, 2008Campion and Brown, 1984;Gokuladas, 2011;Hassanbeigi et al, 2011;Imose and Barber, 2015;Johansen, 2014;Schick and Kunnecke, 1982;Thoms et al, 1999). Consequently the first hypothesis is weather there were any differences on the academic achievement among students of the ARA Groups and regular students:…”

“…According to previous research, there are some predictors of increased employability of students when they graduate, particularly related to their performance during the years at college and to some of the extracurricular activities completed by them. These predictors include: (a) a higher academic performance (Baird, 1985;Baker, 2008;Campion and Brown, 1984;Gokuladas, 2011;Hassanbeigi et al, 2011;Imose and Barber, 2015;Johansen, 2014;Schick and Kunnecke, 1982;Thoms et al, 1999); (b) the participation into an international exchange program ; and (c): the participation into business internships Gault et al, 2000;Knouse et al, 1999;Knouse and Fontenot, 2008;Taylor, 1988;Weible and McClure, 2011).…”