Deep, data-driven advice for students — why internships matter more than ever, what employers want, and exactly how to act.
The hard facts: how many students graduate — and how many get jobs
Every year, India produces over 1.07 crore graduates, but only about 51% are job-ready according to the India Skills Report 2024, leaving many struggling to meet industry expectations. Even top institutes have seen placement drops of 20–30% between 2021–22 and 2023–24.
Companies now prioritize practical skills, problem-solving, and hands-on experience over degrees. Freshers with internships are 2–3 times more likely to get placed, and students completing projects or applied courses often secure salaries of ₹3–6 LPA.
Employers value digital literacy, coding, data skills, communication, EQ, adaptability, and leadership. Internships strengthen resumes, provide industry exposure and networking, and help students stand out. With 10.7 million freshers entering the market annually, building skills early is critical. Success now depends on a mix of knowledge, practical experience, and internships.
Why Internships Are the Most Important Differentiator for Freshers
The hiring landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Companies increasingly view campus placements as just one channel and now rely more on internships, direct hiring, contract-to-hire, and external assessments. According to a survey by NACE, over 70% of organizations plan to maintain or increase intern hiring, even when full-time recruitment is limited. This makes internships a fastest route from “degree” to “hired” for freshers.
The impact is clear: students who complete at least one structured internship are 2–3 times more likely to get interview calls and convert them compared to peers without any internship experience. Internships also allow employers to evaluate culture-fit, applied skills, and work readiness, making them a low-risk way for companies to identify potential hires when campus recruitment slows.
Freshers’ Salary Reality in India
Salary ranges for freshers vary widely depending on industry and role:
- Mass-hiring roles (BPO, customer support, non-technical campus roles): ₹1.8–3.5 LPA
- Early tech, analytics, and private company roles: ₹3–6 LPA
- Entry-level data analytics roles: ≈₹6 LPA for junior hires in 2024–25
These are average figures, and actual salaries depend on company, location, and skillset. Completing internships and gaining practical experience significantly improves placement chances and salary prospects.
Top 10 Skills Freshers Must Have in 2025
If you want to stand out in today’s job market, here are the skills recruiters actually look for — and how you can build them:
- Digital Literacy & Productivity Tools – Excel, Google Workspace, Power BI. Being comfortable with digital tools is now a must.
Tip: Master VLOOKUP, Power Query, or create a simple BI dashboard. - Communication (Oral & Written) – Clear communication is crucial; poor skills can knock you out in screening.
Tip: Practice mock interviews and make a crisp one-page resume. - Problem Solving & Critical Thinking – Companies value freshers who can approach challenges creatively.
Tip: Try case studies, mini-projects, or competitions. - Data Literacy & Analytics – Even non-technical roles expect you to read charts, calculate KPIs, or run basic SQL queries.
Tip: Learn advanced Excel, SQL basics, and a visualization tool. - Coding & Automation Basics – Knowing Python, scripting, or low-code tools gives you an edge.
Tip: Build small projects like web scraping or dashboards. - Adaptability & Continuous Learning – The ability to learn new tools or technologies quickly is highly valued.
Tip: Make a 6-month learning roadmap and track progress publicly. - Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – Being a team player, handling conflicts, and staying resilient matters.
- Creativity & Product Sense – Innovative solutions and a practical portfolio beat just theory.
- Networking & Personal Branding – Students with LinkedIn profiles + internships get almost 2x more interview calls.
- Leadership & Collaboration – Leading projects, clubs, or group work shows initiative and responsibility.
What Students Are Really Facing in Today’s Job Market
Placement trends have shifted — many colleges report fewer recruiters and lower offers, with top institutes seeing double-digit drops compared to 2021–22. Classroom projects often don’t match industry workflows, so students must create applied experience through internships and personal projects.
Salary expectations vs reality is another challenge: students aiming only for high packages risk disappointment, while those who embrace internships and build portfolios progress faster and earn better offers.
Out of ~1.07 crore graduates annually, only ~54–55 lakh are job-ready. The rest need upskilling, internships, or apprenticeships to meet industry standards, making practical skills and early preparation essential for success.
Interesting Read
90-Day Action Plan for Freshers
- Weeks 1–2: Polish resume, LinkedIn, elevator pitch.
- Weeks 3–6: Build a small project & apply to 30 internships.
- Weeks 7–10: Deepen skills (SQL, Python, Excel, BI).
- Weeks 11–12: Mock interviews & networking with alumni/recruiters.
Call to Action
👉 Explore internships and skill programs on College Passouts to build these top 10 skills and make your first job a success story.
College Passouts — Classroom to Career