New Delhi: With the changing job landscape in India, new graduates searching for IT positions are experiencing stiff competition. Mumbai entrepreneur Udit Goenka, Founder & CEO of fintech firm TinyCheque, recently expressed his concerns on social media. He cautioned that fresh developers may not be able to get jobs in 2025 if they don’t concentrate on industry needs. His tip? Don’t only depend on your degree, begin creating real-world projects to flaunt your talent.
What firms are seeking?
Goenka noted that having live projects or open-source projects in your portfolio is becoming the norm. “If you have just graduated, begin working on actual software projects and put them out there. That’s how you differentiate yourself today,” he said. This is a trend that is increasing throughout the industry, with firms wanting hands-on experience rather than book smarts. One LinkedIn user went so far as to say: “Stop depending on degrees, create something, demonstrate yourself, or remain jobless.” Another user emphasized that learning how to solve actual real-world issues while in college is the most important thing in being hired. Yet not everybody thinks so. Some believe that the best colleges and high GPAs still work for landing lucrative jobs. Though prestigious schools do provide good networks, they are not necessarily best at preparing graduates for the rapidly evolving tech industry.
The discussion is not only about IT careers. Some noted that automation is disrupting other sectors as well, such as transportation. In the United States, autonomous taxis like Waymo may displace jobs for many immigrants who work as drivers. This aligns with Goenka’s perspective that being hands-on is now a requirement, regardless of the sector.
The discussion also relates to a caution from Atomberg founder Arindam Paul. In a LinkedIn article, he forecasted that AI may eliminate 40–50% of white-collar jobs today, and India’s middle class would be the worst hit. “It’s not merely a matter of losing jobs, it may affect our entire economy,” he added. Data entry, customer support, and even mid-management jobs are under threat, and it is clear that upskilling is more critical than ever.
What should fresh graduates do?
1. Build Real Projects: Make apps, tools, or platforms and put them on GitHub, it’s sort of an online portfolio for companies.
2. Solve Real Problems: Do internships or freelance work to have hands-on experience.
3. Stay Updated: Learn AI, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies.
4. Network Smartly: Meet tech communities both online and offline to discover opportunities.
What’s next for India’s IT Industry?
Though most concur with Goenka’s counsel, others cite larger problems such as education disparities and resource shortages. Students in smaller towns usually lack access to the newest equipment, and financing independent projects is challenging.
But one thing is certain: The IT sector is changing rapidly, and fresh graduates must follow suit. As Arindam Paul cautioned, India’s economy relies on how fast the work force can adjust. To new job hunters, the message is clear, having a degree is no longer sufficient. Practical training, flexibility, and a proactive attitude are the secrets to being ahead of the game in this changing employment market.
India’s technology graduates will be at a crossroads by 2025. Those who emphasize learning by doing and innovating stand to gain the most, while others will not be able to get a break in an industry where talent prevails over qualifications.
