Why do so Many Indians Work at the Tech Support Department?

India is liberal when it comes to Employer

1. Unveiling the Disparities

In the realm of global economics, India stands as a unique player, particularly in the sphere of labor. The Indian government’s policies have often been hailed for their pro-employer stance, a sharp contrast to their counterparts in the Western world. This has given rise to a distinctive phenomenon — an influx of highly qualified individuals, including engineers, MBAs, MS/MTech graduates, and even PhD holders, into the tech support domain. Yes, that’s right, the voice on the other end of your customer service call might very well belong to a professional with a formidable tech or financial background.

2. The Cost-Efficiency Conundrum

While this may seem perplexing, it boils down to a simple yet powerful factor: cost. Companies operating in India find themselves in a fortuitous position, as they can tap into a pool of exceptionally skilled individuals at a fraction of the cost that their Western counterparts would demand. It’s not uncommon for Indian students to invest a significant sum, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, in their education, only to find themselves in the echelons of tech support. The disparity between the perceived prerequisites and the actual qualifications needed for such roles is staggering. Many companies in India initially stipulate the need for a BTech degree for tech support positions, only for employees to discover later that a high school diploma would suffice.

3. The Mirage of Job Descriptions

A striking contrast emerges when one delves into the job descriptions (JDs) offered in India as opposed to Western countries. Indian companies often portray tech support roles as akin to core development positions, leading candidates to believe that a high level of technical prowess is required. This discrepancy in JDs can lead to disillusionment among candidates, a scenario less prevalent in Western job markets.

4. The Youth Conundrum

India is home to a burgeoning population of educated youth with diverse academic backgrounds. However, a dearth of opportunities in various sectors forces many to gravitate towards the ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services) industry. The lure of financial security often trumps the pursuit of passion, compelling graduates to take up roles in tech support.

5. The Rigors of Tech Support

Tech support in India has burgeoned into a massive sector within the IT industry. This growth can be attributed to the willingness of Indian youth to compromise and the corporate focus on support projects. The nature of tasks in tech support lends itself to repetition and shared responsibilities, making it manageable for individuals with a lower skill set compared to those required for development roles.

6. A Glimpse into Indian Job Landscape

Surprisingly, approximately 80 percent of IT jobs in India fall under the purview of tech support, adorned with flashy job titles. This statistic reflects a significant imbalance in the job market, with a surplus of highly qualified individuals being funneled into a single domain.

7. The Silver Lining: Economic Growth

On a positive note, this influx of talent into the tech support sector has contributed substantially to the growth of the Indian economy. The sector has emerged as a pivotal player in the country’s economic landscape.

8. JagoIndianYouth: Paving the Way for Change

It’s high time for a paradigm shift. An education system co-created by educational institutions and Indian corporate entities is the need of the hour. Breaking free from the confines of corporate norms, nurturing startups across India, and utilizing the knowledge we’ve acquired can revitalize the landscape. The perception of an abundant supply of youth in India should not equate to taking them for granted, and this is evident in the glaring discrepancies between Indian and Western counterparts.