Edition 50

PCs Speak Up
DTU Times interviewed the outgoing Placement Coordinators of the session 2019-20 on
various aspects related to securing on-campus internships and placements.
Do you have a funny anecdote to
narrate from your time as a placement
coordinator?
The one where lies rained
Sometimes, the students were unable
to sit for a company since they were
involved in other processes. So, we
had to come up with creative excuses
to justify the student’s absence to the
executives. Once, it was raining very
heavily in the morning, so we told the
executives that this particular student
who didn’t want to sit for the process
had slipped in the water and had hurt his
arm. The executives bought it and were
really concerned.
The one with genius students
Once, a company was conducting a pen
& paper test. The company’s executive
handed over a set of sheets to
us and asked us to
get them a
certain number of copies. We weren’t aware
that the set of sheets also had the answer
keys along with the question paper, and as
soon as the copies were received, they were
directly distributed amongst the students.
When the sheets were received back for
evaluation, the company officials observed
that all the students had marked the right
answers. It was then that they realized
what had happened and the students were
shortlisted for the next round based on
their performance in the GDs.
The one where palates took precedence
Students generally don’t take workshops
seriously, so the number of attendees is
usually low. This one time, even though the
students were informed that the workshop
would lead to PPI offers, the turnout was
low. Just before the workshop was about
to start, the students were informed that
lunch would be provided to the attendees.
Within 15 minutes, more students turned
up, and a few even called to confirm this.
They were more interested in the food than
the placements.
Coding Placements
What is more critical for a successful
placement - competitive coding skills
or proficiency in app/web/software
development?
Competitive Coding skills is the
first criterion for shortlisting for
most companies. They expect their
candidates to have strong programming
fundamentals and problem-solving
skills. To successfully crack the campus
placements, one must also have a firm
grasp over Data Structures & Algorithms.
Proficiency in app/web development will
definitely help in later interview stages.
Is there a difference in the profiles
offered to B.Tech. and M.Tech.
candidates? Do the companies have a
preference?
It depends on the company. Mostly,
the profile offered is the same, but
sometimes there are a few differences in
terms of profile and the corresponding
CTC. For instance, Qualcomm offers
a higher pay package to M.Tech.
candidates. Some companies also have
6-months internships followed by a
full-time offer for M.Tech. candidates
which are not on the table for B.Tech.
candidates as of now.
Core Electronics
Placements
Since most of the students applying
for internships are second-year
undergraduates, what are companies
looking for in them?
The companies do not expect the
candidates to know a lot. It’s mostly the
learning ability and thought process of
the candidates that companies focus on.
Students should be well versed with the
basics, and also practice GATE Questions