Safety First

By Ramesh Akkineni

from an article in Financial Express

Disturbing trends
However, a closer look at the survey also throws up certain disturbing findings: There appears to be a clear distinction in the mindset of students from the ‘elite’ schools and those lower down the rung and a reinforcing of stereotypes.

For instance, while in the case of Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs), students seem to consider leadership in the respective industry and the company’s international presence as key drivers influencing their choice of placements, students from the lower rung schools seem to be influenced by more immediate and tangible factors. Factors like attractive pay packages, high growth prospects, planned training programmes, along with popularity of the company among seniors plays an important role with non-IIM students.

Similarly, students from IIMs and A grade schools appear more reluctant to go in for entrepreneurship, as compared to students from A, B and C grade institutes. IIM students said they were unwilling to start a new business on their own due to the risks involved. They also claimed that they do not have adequate skills to start a business.

This clearly shows that the managers coming out of the high-end schools are averse to taking risks and are seeking safe havens and high pay packages. ‘‘With all the high quality education they receive, they opt for safe jobs and the country may actually be losing out on good professional managers to ‘consultant’ and ‘advisory’ jobs instead of areas where their talents are needed most,’’ says an industry watcher, who wished to remain anonymous.

Need for macro changes
This is certainly an area of concern, says AIMA director general Maj Gen D N Khurana, adding,‘‘The aversion among students from the high-end schools towards entrepreneurship is a disturbing trend. Apparently they are looking more at compensation levels. The country needs professional managers prepared to face the challenges thrown up by new opportunities. Therefore, high-end schools and policy-makers need to make efforts to change these mindsets.’’

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