Amid ongoing placements at various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are provided an additional mentoring platform by the Global IIT Alumni Support Group, a network of more than. 1,000 IIT alumni are coming from these communities.
With their program titled “The Mentor Circle”, the Global IIT Alumni Support Group is providing much-needed guidance and skill development opportunities to IIT students from SC/ST communities who, according to the group, often face significant barriers to entry into the competitive job market. .
“The Mentor Circle” had an early start this year as registration for interested students began in September/October.
Dheeraj Singh, Founder, Global IIT Alumni Support Group said, “These students from marginalized backgrounds have added struggles like lack of English language proficiency, low marks, low self-confidence. By providing these talented students with the support and resources they need, we are not only helping them secure promising careers but also contributing to a more inclusive and equitable future. “
Aspiring students from more than 15 IITs register in “The Mentor Circle” where they are helped to connect with relevant mentors for placement preparation.
The process includes training in making an impressive CV, influencing Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) and also technical skill knowledge as some recruitment processes include aptitude tests.
Students can also book mock-interview slots with registered mentors. Support continues even after placements have begun.
According to student testimonials, the initiative has had a significant impact in helping them secure jobs.
One of the students said, “The detailed guidance, especially the introduction shared in the group chat and the structured format for the project explanation, proved invaluable during my interview preparation. Following the advice given in the group gave me the confidence and clarity I needed to present myself and my skills effectively.
A PhD student shared how difficult it was to prepare for the qualifying exam even while working on research. “This platform was really helpful in preparation,” he said. Singh shared that so far 48 mentees from the group have managed to secure jobs in the placement drive at their respective IITs.
This number will increase as the placement process continues. Last year, we were able to help 140 mentees secure placements. Whereas a year ago, when we decided to help with post placements, 20 jobless students were able to secure off-campus placements through our mentor networking,” said Singh.