The BTech Employability Myth: What’s Really Wrong?

The belief that most BTech graduates are “unemployable” has become a widely accepted narrative, often repeated by industry leaders and the media. But is this really the whole truth? In this article, Dr. Saji Balakrishnan challenges the “BTech unemployability” myth and explores the deeper realities shaping graduate outcomes. He argues that while technical skills are important, the real issues lie in mismatched expectations, lack of career clarity, inadequate exposure to industry practices, and weak soft skills. Rather than blaming the degree itself, the focus must shift towards preparing students with the right mix of academic grounding, practical skills, and career planning. Drawing on decades of experience in both academia and industry, Dr. Saji provides a balanced perspective on what’s really wrong—and how students, colleges, and parents can work together to unlock the true potential of engineering education in India, especially in Kerala, where the demand for skilled engineers is rapidly growing.

The “Unemployable Engineer” Narrative

Across India—including Kerala—it is often claimed that a large percentage of BTech graduates are unemployable. Reports and headlines point to figures suggesting that only a small fraction of engineering graduates secure meaningful employment. This narrative, while widely circulated, is an oversimplification.

According to Dr. Saji Balakrishnan, the degree itself is not the issue. Instead, it is the way students approach engineering education and the gaps in guidance that create these outcomes. The BTech curriculum offers a strong technical foundation, but without clarity, exposure, and employability skills, many students fail to connect their education to industry needs.

The Real Challenges Facing B.Tech Graduates in Kerala

1. Mismatched Expectations

Many students in Kerala enroll in engineering without a clear idea of what the profession entails. Their expectations are shaped by societal perceptions rather than personal strengths, leading to disengagement during their course.

2. Lack of Career Clarity

Unlike specialized professional programs, engineering offers multiple pathways. Without structured guidance, students struggle to identify which domain or sub-domain suits their interests and personality.

3. Inadequate Industry Exposure

In Kerala, internships and real-world projects are often limited or poorly integrated into the academic experience. This creates a disconnect between what students learn and what employers expect.

4. Weak Soft Skills

Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are as critical as technical knowledge. Many graduates lack these skills, which significantly reduces their employability.

A Balanced Perspective

Rather than labeling graduates as “unemployable,” Dr. Saji emphasizes that the real issue lies in the missing link between academics and employability. Engineering education provides the knowledge, but structured mentoring, psychometric assessments, and exposure to industry practices are needed to transform knowledge into a career pathway.

Example from Province Academy’s Mentoring Journey

At the Province Academy of Career Education in Kerala, Dr. Saji and his team developed the Employability Blueprint—a fully online mentoring course designed for BTech students.

One such case involved a student who was struggling with low confidence and unclear career direction. Despite completing her degree, she was unsure which domain within computer science suited her best. Through the Employability Blueprint, she underwent the five-dimensional, psychometry-based Career Domain Identification Test (C-DIT), along with structured mentoring, to identify her best-matching specialization within Computer Science

As a result, she identified her best match in Cyber Security, prepared accordingly, and successfully secured her first job in a multinational tech company. This transformation highlighted that the problem was never her degree, but rather the lack of clarity and preparation before entering the job market.

The Way Forward for Kerala B.Tech Students

For Kerala to fully unlock the potential of its engineering graduates, all stakeholders must play their part:

• Students must take ownership of their career planning early.
  
• Colleges in Kerala must integrate employability-focused programs, not just technical training.
  
• Parents must encourage exploration and provide emotional support instead of pressuring students into mismatched domains.
  

By combining academic grounding, industry exposure, and career mentoring, the employability gap can be bridged effectively.

Conclusion

The notion that BTech graduates are “unemployable” is a myth that overshadows the true problem—a lack of structured career guidance and employability skills. With decades of experience in both industry and academia, Dr. Saji Balakrishnan from Kerala shows that the solution lies in building clarity, confidence, and capability in students.

Through programs like the Employability Blueprint, Province Academy is proving that with the right mentoring, even confused students can thrive in careers aligned with their strengths. Engineering education is not broken; what’s missing is the bridge between learning and meaningful employment.

Explore More About Dr. Saji and Province Academy

1. 🎥 Video Introducing Province Academy: Watch Here
   
2. 📺 YouTube Channel: Dr Saji Balakrishnan – @saji_balakrishnan
   
3. 🔗 LinkedIn: Connect with Dr. Saji Balakrishnan
   
4. 🌐 Institution Website: www.provinceacademy.org
   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why do so many BTech graduates in Kerala struggle to find jobs?
The main reasons are lack of career clarity, limited industry exposure, and weak soft skills—not the degree itself.

2. What is the Employability Blueprint by Province Academy in Kerala?
It is a fully online mentoring program designed by Dr. Saji Balakrishnan to help B. Tech students identify their strengths, choose the right sub-domain, and build employability skills so that they become industry-ready and secure their first job quickly.

3. How does Province Academy’s approach differ from traditional training programs in Kerala?
Unlike traditional training programmes, Province Academy uses psychometric tools, structured mentoring, and domain-specific guidance to align students’ personalities with their career choices. This approach helps students pursue the careers that best suit them.

4. Can employability really be improved during the final years of BTech in Kerala?
Yes. With systematic mentoring, students can enhance both technical and soft skills, making themselves more employable before graduation.5. Who can benefit from the Employability Blueprint program?
Any BTech student or graduate in Kerala—or across India—who feels confused about career direction, lacks confidence in interviews, or wants to secure the right job fit can benefit from the program.