B-schools to see students choosing entrepreneurship over placements

Since the placement process at most B-schools including the IIMs are yet to be completed, students have begun to opt out of it and to start entrepreneurial ventures. This year, the chances of students starting businesses on their own are expected to double in comparison with the last year, at IIM-Ahmedabad (IIM-A). While the other IIMs hope to see the last year's outcome, if not more than that.

Although the procedures for placements is under completion at many top B-schools including IIMs, it is expected that the campuses will see an increase by 20-50 per cent in the number of students opting out of placements to begin their entrepreneurial ventures.

Bhavya Kapoor, placement officer at IIM Indore said, "For the past couple of years, a lot of start-ups have also begun hiring at IIMs and other B-schools rolling out interesting job profiles and faster growth. Add to that, the economy is expected to get better in the near future. Hence, the numbers could be encouraging this year since students see a sense to venture out." In comparison to 3 students opting out of placements in 2013, IIM Indore is likely witness around 5 students opting out of placements this year.

Deferred placement option is being exclusively offered to those students opting out of placements to establish their own ventures, by the institution, to encourage students to take up entrepreneurship. IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Bangalore, IIM-Calcutta and IIM-Indore, among others, offer deferred placements wherein students can opt out of placements process and can return to re-participate after 2 years in case their ventures have turned out to be unsuccessful.

Last year, 5 students had chosen to take the path of entrepreneurship at IIM-A and this year, the number is expected to reach 8 or 10, as per the institute sources. Other B-schools, such as Xavier's Institute of Management -Bhubaneswar (XIMB), too, expect the numbers to increase marginally.

Sabita Mohanty, faculty co-ordinator (placements) at XIMB said, "Though so far the number of students opting out of placements is similar to last year at four-to-five, one could expect a marginal rise in the numbers. This is because after the general elections, the economy may revive and support entrepreneurial ventures with considerable growth potential."

On the other hand, IIM-Lucknow, which has finished the placements witnessed a few students opting out in favour of entrepreneurship opportunities. Some students chose entrepreneurship and opted out of placement process, said the officials from IIM-Lucknow. There is no deferred placement option at this institute.

On the contrary, no students at XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur opted out of placement process even though the institute offers deferred placement programmes.