Pragati: Bridging the Gap Between College and Industry
Where’s the third one? Hold on; we’re getting there.
But Wait, I Mentioned Three People... 🤔
Now, let’s get real for a second. India’s engineering scene is huge. Here’s a quick breakdown for you:
Why Is This Even Happening?
Understanding the problem
And unfortunately, Kunal’s story isn’t unique. It’s the reality for thousands of engineering graduates in India. But why is this happening? How can three people with the same degree end up on such wildly different paths?
Fact 1:
There are over 6,000 engineering colleges in India. That’s right—whether it’s a small town or a big city, you can probably spot an engineering college just around the corner.
Fact 2:
Every year, around 1.5 million (yes, million!) engineers graduate, ready to take on the world. Or so they think. 🎓💼
Fact 3:
But here’s where it gets tricky. Out of those 15 lakh grads, only 2.5 lakh actually secure a job. That’s about 17% of graduates
This reminds me of a dialogue from the movie
3 Idiots—“Abba ne kaha mera beta engineer banega”—and apparently, a lot of families had that conversation. 😄
Turns out, it’s not just about getting a degree. The truth is, where you studied often determines where you end up. It’s almost as if the name on your degree matters more than the skills you actually have.
By now, you might be thinking, "Okay, we get it, low-tier colleges aren't the best... but why? What exactly are they missing? Well, buckle up, because here’s the inside scoop:
So, What’s Really Going On Here? 🤔
Why Are Grads Struggling to Keep Up?
"90% of universities have outdated curriculums."
“There is a lack of faculty talking about industry”
"Students from low-tier colleges often lack soft skills and professional etiquette."
CNR Rao, Scientist
Aspiring Minds, Cofounder
Industry Expert
Outdated Curriculum
Poor Industry Connect
Cultural Differences
Many students are still learning about technologies and practices that are no longer relevant. It’s like trying to use a floppy disk in the age of AI. 🖥️
Theory is great, but what about hands-on experience? Essential. Unfortunately, most students don’t get that in college.
Students from top-tier colleges often get the chance to network, attend fancy guest lectures, and gain exposure to corporate culture. Meanwhile, students from lower-tier colleges are stuck learning in a bubble. 🌐
Now, this might seem like a problem specific to engineering, but here’s the kicker: students across all fields face this issue.
It’s not just about learning the stuff; it’s about having the right skills to land a job in the first place.
Research shows that only 50.3% of Indian graduates are deemed employable.
And the kicker? 42% of graduates under 25 are unemployed.
But Wait, It’s Not Just Engineers...😲
It’s Not Just about Engineering Students…
So, we’ve talked about Shantanu, Nikita, and Kunal. We’ve looked at outdated curriculums, poor industry connections, and the sneaky cultural gap that often goes unnoticed. Now, it’s time to zoom in on the heart of the issue.
Here’s the core problem:
Cracking the Core Issue 🕵️♂️
The Problem Statement
To determine the actual concerns of college students I created a list of questions for better understanding their needs and conducted 15-20 minute interviews with 8 students.
Many students I Interviewed & surveyed were worried about:
To gain deeper insights, I conducted survey of 29 people to pinpoint specific challenges.
Problem Statement
College students in India are facing difficulty in getting job opportunities as there is a gap between the college curriculum and the skills required in industry.
Through the Eyes of a Student 👀
Key Findings
Lack of practical
experience
Outdated
knowledge
Lack of
networking skills
Poor teamwork
& communication skills
Primary Research
"I’ve never worked on a real-world project; everything was theoretical. I didn’t even know how to apply my skills practically."
"We never discussed the latest industry trends in class. I felt completely out of touch during my first job interview."
"No one in my college ever mentioned networking. I didn’t realize how important it was."
"Group projects in college were just about grades; I never learned how to collaborate or communicate effectively in a real team."
Skill gap - because they couldn't connect with industry professionals.
Lacked industry insights - because they were unaware of current trends.
Didn't know about relevant meetups and events.
Didn't receive proper counseling.
1
2
3
4
To create a solution that truly addresses the struggles of today’s students, I need to understand their unique challenges. Meet Kristin, a second-year engineering student from a semi-urban area. She’s a perfect representation of the students Pragati was designed for.
The First-Gen Engineer 👩💻
Meet Kristin
When creating Pragati, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just reinventing the wheel but also filling some major gaps in the market. So, I took a deep look at what’s out there. Let me break it down:
How Does Pragati Stack Up? 🧐
Competitive Analysis
After analyzing the research, I explore solutions that align with students' needs and tested the initial wireframes. Here's what we learned:
What I Did First and Why 🧐
Turning Insights Into Concepts - I
I focused on the core features of our app, eager to gather early feedback and confirm whether I was on the right track. I conducted user testing with students, gaining insights on the prototype.
User Testing 🧪
Based on user feedback from testing, I made several key iterations to improve usability and enhance the overall experience of the app. Here’s a breakdown of what I did:
Many users pointed out that the Explore Page felt too similar to a typical social media feed, which lacked purpose in the context of a skill development platform. To address this:
Turning Feedback Into Action 🔧
Explore Page → Vision AI 🧠
Refining the User Experience
Initially, the app's primary color was a bold Red, which users found to be too intense and overwhelming for the app’s educational focus.
Users expressed that certain screens didn’t have a clear focal point, leaving them unsure about which elements to prioritize.
Several users were confused by the icons in the navigation bar, which weren’t intuitive enough for first-time users.
Color Change: Fresh Look 🌿
Visual Hierarchy: Clarity and Focus 🎯
Unclear Navigation Bar: Icon Redesign 🧭
Introducing “Pragati”
An interactive platform for students to discover.
In-demand skills
Expand their network
Participate in industry events
to bridge the gap between college and industry.
Vision AI: Your Personalized Career Guide
Vision AI is like your personal career coach—
It evaluates your skills
Suggests areas for improvement &
Delivers curated resources based on your goals.
Real-World Projects: Build While You Learn
Because Employers Care About What You’ve Done, Not Just What You Know.
Hands-on experience
Industry collaboration
Showcase your work
Clubs: Networking Made Easy 🤝
Meet like-minded people without the awkward small talk.
Join clubs
Connect with professionals
Collaborate on projects
Events: Your Backstage Pass to the Job Market 🎟️
Learn from the pros, gain experience, and stay relevant.
Meetups, Hackathons, Workshops & Webinars.
Meetups
Exclusive opportunities
After countless iterations, user feedback, and design tweaks, I’m proud to introduce the final prototype of Pragati.
Bringing Pragati to Life 🎨
Final Prototype
If you’ve made it this far, I’m guessing something caught your eye—or maybe everything did? ✨
I’m actively seeking full-time UX design roles. Let’s connect and talk about design, products, and making great things together.
Wrapping Up, Thanks for Sticking Around! 😇
All Rights © Vaibhav Wankhede 2024
Crafted with lots of love 💖
& passion to make every pixel count! 🎨
So, you’ve just graduated. 🎓 You’ve got that shiny degree in one hand, and in the other? A whole lot of theoretical knowledge that no one told you how to use in the real world. Welcome to the club. 👋
Hi, I’m Vaibhav, your friendly neighborhood UX designer, and I’m here to talk about my latest passion project: Pragati. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Another skill-building app? Really? But hang tight! I built Pragati because I saw firsthand how students are struggling to bridge that gap between academic learning and the skills employers actually want.
Let’s start with a story of three graduates who all had the same degree but ended up on wildly different career paths.
Welcome to the Real World
Who Am I and Why This Matters
A Tale of Three Graduates 🎓
Introduction
About
What’s the Deal?
Alright, so we’ve talked about the problem, the users, and the feedback. Now let’s dive into the fun part—how Pragati actually solves these issues. 🛠️
Introducing “Pragati”
The Solution
Link to Figma prototype