India, May 13 -- "What will you be when you grow up? An engineer or a doctor?" This question rules supreme for children growing up in India. When it comes to engineering, software is at the very top of the pyramid. Once it was the ticket to a great entry, loads of moolah, foreign travel and a long stable career. Off late things have soured a bit and that is not so.

It's tough being an IT fresher today. Lakhs of them graduate out of college every year. A fraction of them get tech jobs and the ones that do may have to settle for pittance. Many companies have been taking freshers in the Rs 2.5-4 lakhs per annum package for years. There are also fewer desirable vacancies in the first place. The regular news stream of a higher number of layof...