The Menace of Placement and the Erosion of the Business School Idea

The growing problem of Placement-Centric Education

The menace of placement has taken over our business schools, and this is neither good for the students’ development nor for the very idea of a Business School. This form of placement obsession has taken a toll on learning, and that, in turn, will affect placements in the long run.

Yes, it is a reasonable argument that students should get placements after completing the program. However, placement has been overstretched and has become the main, and often the only, focus of being in a Business School.

Impact on learning and academic culture

It is in the interests of students, business schools, and the idea of a B-school itself that this placement-related menace needs to be addressed. For this, Business Schools need to take concrete steps.

First, there should be a limited time—either a particular week or a month—in the academic calendar when the focus on placement can happen. In theory, such a structure exists, but in practice, the focus on placement continues throughout the academic year.

Discipline during the placement window

Second, even if there is a dedicated week or month for placement, either classes should be cancelled completely, or arrangements should be made so that students do not make excuses for missing classes in the name of the placement process. Entry rules exist, but in practice, they are far from reality.

Rethinking institutional priorities

Third, Business Schools need to stop projecting placement as their main achievement. The real achievement and focus should remain on learning and what the institution is doing to enhance learning. This should be the main message in advertisements, on websites, and across every school activity.

Experimenting beyond campus placements

Fourth, as an experiment, every five or ten years, there should be a ban on school support for the placement process, asking participants to do it on their own and see how it goes. The learning from such an experiment can then be studied, shown, debated, and implemented for the future.

Business schools are not placement agencies

Fifth, Business Schools need to realise—and realise it sooner rather than later—that they should not fall into the trap of becoming glorified placement agencies. This would be very demeaning to the very idea of Business Schools and business education.

A call for discussion and action

There are many more ideas from students, teachers, and other stakeholders. Business Schools must start thinking about this more, discuss it openly, and implement changes, even if in smaller ways. Over time, these efforts can move toward an ideal situation in which placement is just a secondary activity.

Returning to what truly matters

By returning the focus to what really matters—learning, learning experiences, and the ability to create and add value—it would truly benefit students, institutions, and the idea of business education itself.

(This article is written by Dr. Rajesh K Pillania, Professor, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon. This is an opinionated article; EPN has nothing to do with this editorial.)