Navigating the Job Market: Challenges and Solutions for COVID Batch Engineering Graduates

We have moved past the immediate crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its long-lasting effects on job seekers, especially those from the “COVID batch” (students who graduated during the pandemic), remain significant. Engineering graduates from this period face unique challenges in an already competitive job market. What are these challenges, and how to overcome them?

Here we will explore and address these critical questions, providing insights for engineering graduates to succeed in competitive times. Additionally, can career counselling enhance employability in the evolving job market? Let’s examine how.

Challenges Faced by COVID Batch Engineering Graduates

• Lack of Practical Experience: The shift to online education deprived engineering students of hands-on lab experiences and face-to-face interactions, hindering the development of essential skills.
• Less Rigorous Assessments: Online assessments, replacing physical exams, may not accurately reflect students’ skills and knowledge.
• Increased Competition: Graduates from the COVID era face stiff competition from peers with more traditional educational backgrounds, who often have greater practical exposure.
• Economic Slowdown: The economic downturn and hiring freeze in many sectors made job hunting more difficult for COVID batch graduates, compounded by competition from experienced professionals.
• Employer Concerns: Employers worry that COVID batch graduates lack essential skills and experience, leading to perceptions of unemployability. To avoid the need for extensive training, they have adopted more stringent selection processes.
• Mental Health Impact: These challenges have affected the mental health of young graduates, impacting motivation and confidence in job searches.

What is Employability in relation to Engineering?

A publication by JEET (Journal of Engineering Education Transformations), July 2023 refers to Employability as “the capabilities and qualities employers look for in candidates while assessing them for employment. In case of engineers, employers demand generic and technical skills from engineers ready to join industries”.

In other words, Employability is more than just a degree; it encompasses a range of skills and attributes that make a candidate suitable for the workforce, including both hard skills (technical) and soft (interpersonal and communication) skills.

Core Employability Skills for Engineers

When hiring new engineering graduates, employers prioritize certain essential skills. According to STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Network), these core skills include:

• Communication: The ability to convey information clearly and effectively.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Identifying issues, developing viable solutions, and making decisions to achieve desired outcomes.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others towards a shared objective.
• Lifelong Learning: Continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills to adapt to evolving challenges.
• Leadership: Influencing others positively and driving meaningful change.
• Interpersonal Skills: Building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Creativity and Entrepreneurial Thinking: Generating innovative ideas and approaching problems from unconventional angles.

Employability Concerns:

Pre-pandemic, the employability of engineering graduates was already a topic of debate, as the education curriculum was less application-oriented and lacked focus on practical and soft skills. This left graduates ill-prepared for industry demands.

The pandemic widened this gap by reducing practical training opportunities and increasing job market demands. Rapid technological advancements further raised employer expectations for highly specialized skills, while the education system struggled to keep pace. Now, employers face an even greater challenge in finding candidates with the right mix of technical and soft skills.

Does this mean the end of the road for the COVID engineering batch?

No. While the COVID engineering batch faces an uphill battle, it’s crucial to challenge this with resilience and determination. By leveraging available resources like career counselling, you can uncover and implement strategies to boost employability and succeed in today’s competitive job market.

The Role of Career Counselling: A Path to Success for COVID Batch Engineering Graduates

Amidst the challenges faced by the COVID engineering batch, lack of career guidance and skills mismatch are critical concerns. Many are uncertain about their career paths and unprepared for the evolving job market demands.

Personalized guidance is crucial in these circumstances, helping you identify and address specific challenges, turn setbacks into opportunities and equip you with the necessary skills for success. Career counselling offers the support and direction needed to navigate these challenges effectively.

Career Counselling Can Help:

1. Deep dive into Reasons for Rejection

Evaluate the reasons behind your job rejections through a detailed analysis of your recent job applications and interview experiences.

A skilled career counsellor will help pinpoint what went wrong. Was the rejection due to a skill gap or difficulty answering technical questions? Did you effectively demonstrate problem-solving skills and communicate effectively?

2. Understanding Interview Feedback

If you have received feedback after the interview, whether positive or constructive, consider it a roadmap for improving your performance. A good Career Counsellor can help analyze the feedback comprehensively, identifying areas where you excelled and specific areas for improvement.

3. Identifying Required Skills

Understand the specific skills required for your target job or field. Career counselling will give you insights into industry standards and expectations for your field. You will also be able to evaluate your current skill set against the requirements of your desired role to identify gaps.

4. Solutions and Next Steps

With a clear understanding of your strengths and shortcomings, personalised career counselling will help you decide on the next steps to enhance your employability. Recommended strategies include:

• Upskilling and Reskilling: Pursue further education and training to acquire new in-demand skills, including soft skills. Options include online courses, certifications and workshops. A good career counsellor will help you choose the right courses in line with industry demand as well as your career goals and interests. You can also get guidance on reputable institutions offering relevant programs and assistance in creating a personalized upskilling roadmap.

• Internships: Internships provide hands-on experience that can significantly boost your employability. Sometimes you might need to sacrifice pay for experience. As a fresher, developing industry-specific skills is crucial, and internships are a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, leaving you with a stronger portfolio. An experienced career counsellor can help you identify internship or volunteering opportunities aligned with your career goals and interests.

• Networking Strategies: Today, networking is crucial for career advancement offering opportunities for growth, industry insights, and valuable connections. But how do you network effectively? What if you are an introvert ?  A Career counsellor can offer guidance on building professional relationships, utilizing online networking platforms, and even leveraging their connections to expand your network, thus opening doors to greater possibilities.

• Resume Optimization: As a COVID batch engineering graduate with limited experience, you can greatly benefit from the guidance of a career counsellor in optimizing your resume. A career counsellor offering resume writing services will help highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and technical skills gained during your studies. Additionally, they will showcase your transferable skills, such as problem-solving abilities and teamwork, acquired through academic or extracurricular activities, making your resume more appealing to employers despite the lack of traditional work experience.

• Alternative Career Paths: Transitioning to an alternative career may seem daunting, especially considering the time and resources already invested in engineering, and concerns about meeting family expectations. However, exploring alternative paths can be a practical option for some graduates. Data science, project management, or technical sales are just a few examples of the diverse options available. You may also discover interests beyond the engineering domain. Embracing these opportunities can lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment.

Remember, embarking on a new path is not a setback but a step toward a more rewarding and meaningful professional journey.

By deep-diving into the reasons for job rejections, identifying required skills, understanding interview feedback, and building on your strengths while addressing your weaknesses, you can transform your career prospects and embark on a journey of self-discovery. This process will help you appreciate your individuality and leverage it to your advantage.

 At Elysian, we recognize the hurdles young graduates face in this competitive world. Our personalized career counselling services in Chennai go beyond traditional guidance, offering both career and psychological support to ensure holistic well-being. We believe every setback is an opportunity for growth, and there is always a way forward.

Unsure of how to choose the Best Career Counselling in Chennai? Check out our guide here