I've always fantasised about working in a software company as an engineer...well, this week, got the opportunity to be at the Infosys campus in Bangalore as part of a Campus Connect Conclave. Was I happy? I suppose age teaches us a few lessons. I can't say I shall any longer fantasise about working for a software company.

What a beautiful campus with fantastic landscaping. There was a huge pond with a wooden bridge across it, between two buildings, filled with fish sporting streaked bodies of all red, orange and yellow. The cold morning air and the leaping of the fish made it a sight for sore eyes. The conference halls were technology glamorous and structural wonders. The tall bamboos came alive with the screeching, clamour and chirping of thousands of birds in the evening. The food was a disaster, though there was plenty of it.

Don't old people at all work in Infosys? It was choc-a-bloc with young people, rushing, hurrying and walking past in purposeful strides. There were few smiles and many anxious and tense faces...they were still there when the conclave got over at 6.30p.m.  I could only pity the young moms and wives who would have to rush through the evening traffic to reach home at about 8 or so to get back to another grind at home.  

Well, to get to the nitty gritty of what went on yesterday at the Conclave. The institution had been shortlisted to be a Campus Connect partner and Prof.Kalpana and I were there to attend the first meeting. 

If it's a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative, it's one of the best things that could happen to a student. They offered to design the syllabus and offer assessment methods for a few subjects like Aerospace, Business Intelligence, Software Engineering and Fundamentals of Computing for the three autonomous instituions (us included) that attended the Conclave. I'm sure their syllabus will be the best, tailored to meet the needs of the industry. 

Had a peek at the Softskills Manual. Was surprised that they had included many of the components that we are already doing with the third years in the Communication Skills Lab. I do feel comforted that we are going in the right direction with the softskills and communication training. Perhaps, for language skills, something ought to be done in the second year, in continuation with what's done in the first year.

While everything appears hunky dory and fine with the Infosys training vision, the only discordant note seems to be the desire of Infosys to ask for the first slot after three years. So, the issue might become a little sticky for us and can be decided only with the student placement co-ordinators and the Principal taking a decision. 


I've come back feeling that while Bangalore is a cool place, literally and figuratively, I like my warm Salem, anytime, please. As for my dreams...they shall live on, perhaps in other forms, other dimensions and other shapes. But, software companies for me, no thanks.