Can you expect a job advertisement that asks you to pay money upfront to get hired? Payment here is not in a few thousand rupees but in lakhs. Some may call it a bribery case but it is a condition to find out how serious you are in working for a top-notch company. A job advertisement from Zomato created a lot of noise and left us with a lot to think about.

Noteworthy optimal feedback came from an ex-employee of Zomato for publishing such outward requirements. He reasoned that the quality of theoretical and practical knowledge one will acquire after working in such a top-grade company would be at par with pursuing a management degree from a prestigious institution such as IIM. Through this advertisement, a fact is highlighted as to how important practical exposure is for a student to transition to the professional world.

The Thinking Process Uncovered by the Zomato CEO

The job posted by the head of Zomato asks for a Rs 20 lakh fee from anyone who wants to get on the job. Although the intention for putting out such a requirement was clarified by CEO Deepinder Goyal, unknowingly he struck some chords. For example, employers are expected to provide training after hiring, and this is much different from overseas work environments where graduates are expected to hit the ground running.

It also highlights another deformity of our education system. In India, internships are often seen as academic formalities rather than meaningful career accelerators. In India, internship projects or practical assignments are mostly outsourced by students as they are considered a hurdle in the path to attaining better grades. This way, students are not mentally prepared when they come out in the market to search for jobs, as they have never faced practical, real-world challenges. 

The point made by the CEO is clear and understandable as the quality of grooming and practical exposure a professional will get here is difficult to achieve by studying at the best management institutes. It will be like an investment and the return on that will be better than pursuing a degree from the like of IIM. 

The Model for Practical Learning Used in Foreign Education

Practical exposure is not a new concept but is being used by foreign universities for quite long. What we know here as earning while learning is paid internships that are run by universities abroad. This concept is created by the coordination of institutions and companies to create professionals who do not need training when they become full-time employees.

The importance of practical experience or internship while studying is highlighted by the fact that Canada has rolled out co-op programmes, the curricular practical training from the US is world famous, and the UK, too, has a look-alike in the form of sandwich programmes. Overseas education is better as there you are paid for an internship, whereas in the Indian scenario, we may have to pay to be hired by a top-notch company, even after investing so much for a premiere MBA degree.

Foreign universities have mastered the art of integrating internships into academic learning. Many of the successful IT companies that we have today are a result of the internship projects that were seriously implemented a few years back. Foreign universities introduced the concept of internships as a means of recognising and compensating students for their meaningful contributions. 

Countries like the US and Canada enable students to work in roles that are connected directly with their fields of study. These paid internships not only provide invaluable industry exposure but also help offset tuition costs. 

Canada offers co-op programmes that allow students to alternate between full-time employment and classroom learning. Many students earn competitive salaries during this period. The US too allow students to work in jobs related to their course of study through CPT. Through this practical training, one can bridge the gap between industry and academics. The UK offers sandwich programmes that serve the same purpose as international students. It provides a year-long industry placement. This provides students with the experience to have a head start when they get on the job.

Bridging the Skill Gap with Networking Opportunities

Indian institutions primarily focus on academic rigour, whereas, foreign universities recognise the disconnect between theoretical learning and workplace demands. This is why they oversee programmes that emphasise skill-building through hands-on experiences. 

While working in professional environments, students have the opportunity to build lasting industry connections. These networks can be instrumental in securing employment post-graduation, particularly in competitive fields like technology, consulting, or management. Internships in international markets enable students to work in diverse cultures and learn about cutting-edge technologies, and innovative practices.

Also Read: Internships Abroad: Launch Your Career with Experience and Expertise

The Career Advantage through Foreign Education

An international student from a UK university who completed a sandwich programme is in a better position to secure a high-paying job compared to an IIM graduate with limited industry exposure. Similarly, a graduate with a master’s degree from a Canadian university, who had a year-long co-op internship at a leading company has an undeniable advantage.

For instance, in the case of the Zomato Chief of Staff advertisement, there would have been no need to include such a requirement overseas, as students already possessed practical experience. The Zomato job advertisement brings forth how educational institutions and Indian companies often fail to align expectations with global standards. Learn more about pursuing a degree overseas by talking to overseas education consultants in Chandigarh. 

The Final Word

In the run to achieve efficiency and increase profitability companies want job-ready professionals. The need for practical exposure while pursuing higher education is more than ever before. The overseas education system is better aligned with the type of workforce demanded by companies globally.