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'After appearing for many interviews, we could infer that jobs in colleges and universities are for those who have a reference from some hot shot and not people with only a good academic background.'
We are asking you, young job-seekers, to share stories of your job struggles.
In the fifth part of the series, a PhD*, who returned to the homeland, narrates his struggles in finding a job.
I am a PhD and pursued my post doctorate experience in biological sciences abroad.
I returned to India with dreams of getting into academics, teaching, establishing labs and doing good research.
The scenario was totally different from what we thought.
After appearing for many interviews, we could infer that faculty or scientist jobs in colleges, universities and institutes are for those who have a reference from some hot shot in the field and not people with only a good academic background.
We have been hearing about many vacancies in central and state universities. But many of us who apply and wish to teach at a university do not even know the status of our applications.
When there are so many eligible people waiting to provide their services, I fail to understand why there is a dearth of teachers.
Many universities just keep advertising year after year, collect applications and fees sometimes, but do not even bother to say why the people who applied earlier were not eligible.
The hiring process in India is not at all transparent, or fair.
A factor (the number or impact factor of publications, relevant experience in the field) which disqualifies one candidate does not seem to affect another who has the reference of an eminent scientist.
Eminent scientists/professors see to it that their students are recruited as faculty in universities where they are vice-chancellors or are part of the recruitment committee.
Can't the HRD ministry survey all the PhD holders in India who wish to teach in colleges or universities and hold a national-level examination (which seems to be more fair than the interviews conducted) for selection?
If Ms Smriti Irani reads this article, I wish to request her to look at bringing more transparency in the hiring process of faculty and scientists.
We keep reading about the need for more PhDs emphasised by different policy makers, but have they ever done a survey on the current status of the PhD holders in the last decade -- Where are they employed? What is their salary? How do they contribute to the country's growth? Is the PhD justifiable for their contribution?
After this survey I think it would make more sense to increase the number of PhD students in the country.
This way, we will not require any godfather to land a job in academics here.
Sometimes, we really wonder whether it was a good decision to return to our homeland.
*Name withheld upon request.
Image published only for representational purposes. Photograph: Reuters
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Dear young job-seekers, have achche din arrived for you in terms of finding a job? Or is finding a job as difficult as it was earlier?
What have been your greatest challenges in finding a job?
Tell us! Write to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject: My job search) and we will publish the most relevant responses on Rediff.com