A Critical Evaluation of Employability Skills of Postgraduates and its Impact on their Job Prospects

Abstract

Employability skills have become the need of the hour. Many postgraduates are lacking the necessary skills to be employable. This paper explores different kinds of employability skills as perceived by employers. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which the academic curriculum and extra-curricular activities of Higher Educational Institutions meet this urgent need to make the Postgraduates more employable and bridge the gap between industry requirements and college fresher’s. The data was analysed using the Descriptive Analysis technique, Friedman’s Test, Chi-Square analysis, and Correlation Analysis. The major findings of the study are that Campus recruitment features at the top mode of recruitment as the recruiter’s preference for the right candidate to find the right job. Though the hardcore subjects in the curriculum are designed to make the Postgraduate student industry ready, many are not able to pass through the technical skills round, aptitude, general knowledge skills, communication skills test rounds conducted during Campus recruitment drives. There seems to be a disconnect in the minds of the students who are not able to apply theoretical concepts learnt in their curriculum to the practical challenges in business and industry. Postgraduates need to acquire soft skills along with their curriculum. This study has serious implications in that Universities and Colleges have to develop a curriculum framework that includes training the students in aptitude building and ensuring that skill development becomes the most vital part of higher education so as to make the student industry-ready.