For engineering students in the state, the exam season is over and they will be entering a new semester by the dawn of the New Year. Colleges under some universities have already started the new semester. For the final year students the major recruiters have come and gone and their final semester should see some staggered placement opportunities here and there. And for the 2013 pass out batch, the coming six months’ period is going to be crucial with respect to how things turn out when companies come visiting in August - September 2012.

How the placements for the 2013 batch will go will depend on the economic conditions prevailing at that time and the response of the companies to that scenario. Nevertheless, based on the past trend we can say for sure that unless something really bad happens, things are going to be business as usual at the campus drives. If everything should go well at that time, the planning has to start now.

At an individual level quite a few things have to be done. First and foremost one should be clear about what one wants. There are students who are in a dilemma whether to go for a job or higher studies. Many non IT students have a conflict in mind whether to be choosy about their core sector jobs which are less in number or go for IT jobs that are more easily available from campus. Never be under the impression that these issues will get resolved themselves with passage of time. You will have to work towards clearing this fix. Confusion in the mind will only pull you back and hinder you from giving your best. In a competitive forum that will surely work against you.

If you are to do well during placements you should prepare for the tests and the subsequent rounds - be it the interview, the group discussion or something else. Do a research on the recruiters and their recruitment process. You will understand that aptitude tests are going to play a pivotal role there. Doing well in those tests requires a good amount of preparation. Recruiters typically test the students’ quantitative, analytical, verbal and technical proficiencies through the tests. You should understand your present level in these areas by taking an assessment test. If you are falling short of the required performance level, you should take proactive steps to bridge it through own preparation or training. Six months period will be required to bring about a marked change in performance.

From a college point of view, now is the time to take a review and put things in place for the next placement season – be it with respect to planning which all companies to target – understanding how the next batch of students is like – assessing their readiness for placements - setting realistic expectations based on past experiences – planning the training programs – doing a handholding activity for the weaker students – updating the student databases etc. This is the time to start focusing the attention towards a bright placement for the 2013 batch even though the responsibilities and duties towards the final year students are far from over.

As one of the TV ad goes -‘Failing to Plan is like Planning to Fail’.