Amid placements at IITs, alumni group provides SC, ST students additional mentoring support

“The Mentor Circle” had an early start this year as the registration for interested students began in months of September/October.

Founder of Global IIT Alumni Support Group Dheeraj Singh, explained, “Coming from marginalised backgrounds, these students have added struggles such as lack of English language proficiency, lesser marks, low level of confidence among others. By providing these talented students with the necessary support and resources, we are not only helping them secure promising careers but also contributing to a more inclusive and equitable future.”

Interested students from more than 15 IITs registered with “The Mentor Circle” where they are helped to connect with relevant mentors for placement preparation.

The process involves training on making an impressive CV, making an impression in Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) and also technical skill knowledge as some hiring processes include qualifying tests.

Students can also book mock-interview slots with registered mentors. The support continues even now while placements have started.
According to student testimonials, the initiative made a significant impact helping them secure jobs.

One of the students said, “The detailed guidance, particularly the structured pattern for introductions and project explanations shared in the group chat, proved invaluable during my interview preparation. Following the advice provided in the group gave me the confidence and clarity needed to effectively present myself and my skills.”

A PhD student shared how it was difficult to prepare for the qualifying tests while also working on the research. “This platform was really helpful in preparation,” he said. Singh shared that until now 48 of the group’s mentees have been successful in securing jobs in the placement drives taking place at their respective IITs.

“This number will increase as the placement process is ongoing. Last year, we were able to help 140 mentees to secure placements. Whereas a year before, when we decided to help post placements, 20 students who were left without jobs were able to secure off-campus placements through our mentor networking,” said Singh.