The recent outbreak of Covid-19 has left the entire world shaken to its core. From the healthcare sector to the economy of our country, there is nothing left untouched by the pandemic. Escaping from its gripping clenches seems impossible at this point. And in such a scenario, one of the worst-hit populations are the students, especially the graduates. For them, the world is balancing itself on the edge of a knife. The coming years will be the toughest for them in terms of getting employment, building a career and settling down.
The picture painted by Covid-19 is better and worse, both at the same time, for these graduates. While it will expose the students to e-learning and revolutionise the education sector, it will also make job-hunting challenging. Whether it ends today or years after, nevertheless, it is all set to leave a massive impact on the lives of the youth. There will be short-term and long-term effects, changing as well as entirely defining their future outcomes.
Let’s have a look at how.
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
Admission Processes
Whether it’s regarding BBA admission or any other course from a completely different field, for instance, the medical field, the selection process, the entrance exams, the in-person interviews -Everything is bound to enter the digital world.
Students who have completed their BCom Hons syllabus, as well as others prepping for pursuing higher education, will have to register themselves for entrances and interviews online. The entire selection process will be digitalised, ensuring the safety of the students, their parents and the teachers. Every single detail like BBA course duration, schedules, fees, eligibility criteria, important dates, virtual campus tours, results, etc. will be mentioned on the university portals online.
Digital Learning and Online Assessments
Another short-effect of Covid-19 on graduates would be the elimination of in-person classes and bringing education on social platforms for the next few years. Asynchronous learning apps will be made available for courses with the requirement of more interactive teachings accompanied by graphical representations, like b.tech engineering, etc. Seminars will be turned into webinars.
Not only the teaching methodology will change, but even the technique of assessing the students and their abilities. Most of these tests and internals will be converted into assignments. Even if the students are called to universities for exams, all the protocols will be followed correctly, and social distancing will have to be maintained even in the classrooms. The entire BCom Hons syllabus and many others will be taught on these platforms majorly.
Reduction in College Fees
Since most of the studies will now be taking place through online classes, the universities and colleges will be expected to reduce their fees for BBA course duration and other streams as well, and charge quite reasonably. There won’t be bills piling up for infrastructural facilities in the institution; hence, that’s likely to be cut from the fees section.
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Impact on International Education
With regards to long-term effects, one of the deeply hit areas would be international education. Not only will the institutions in India suffer because of lesser foreign BBA admissions, and in different fields, but the Indian graduates planning to seek higher educational qualifications from top universities in the world will too.
Many of the Indian students pursuing post-graduate or doctorate degrees from foreign colleges belong to the commerce field. Therefore, those aiming to take up a Mcom course after completing a BCom programme, or MBA are most likely to be in vain.
Negative Impact on the Labour Market
Unemployment, one of the many prevailing issues of our country, will be adversely ruining lives by a massive amount of increase even when the pandemic has been controlled. With job opportunities already scarce, lockdowns and disease are the last two things we need to battle unemployment.
These factors, in turn, will leave a profoundly negative impact on the labour market and the economy. Graduates of the BCom programme and others will have to face cut-throat competition like never before to win the race. Many, who have already dropped the idea of getting a higher education will have to introspect and get the necessary qualifications before applying for even entry-level positions. It would be a daunting task to push yourself and face numerous hurdles in these times, especially for graduates of b.tech engineering and other streams where competition has become an integral part of the field.
Lower Stipends
With the unemployment rate soaring high, the salary potential will witness a considerable drop for all. With most of the work shut down or minimised, people are likely to walk on the earth with light-weighting pockets.
Conclusion
Though the Covid-19 pandemic will bring significant changes in the teaching techniques for good and expose the students to a different method of learning, it will also narrow down the future scope and opportunities in the labour market as well as foreign education. The coming years would prove to be a challenging time for the graduates entering a new world and hunting for jobs. With no or less required experience and qualifications, it will be challenging to thrive amidst the post-pandemic effects.
