Every year, thousands of young professionals step out of college with degrees in hand, eager to start their careers. But the transition from classroom learning to the fast-paced demands of the corporate world isn’t always smooth, we all know it. Employers often say that fresh graduates lack real-world skills, while graduates feel that companies are expecting way too much, too soon. So where does the disconnect really lie? And more importantly, how do we bridge this gap to ensure that young talent is equipped, confident, and truly workforce-ready?

To help us unpack these questions, we’ve invited a seasoned HR leader for this episode- Nishant Kalra, Group CHRO at JTEKT India, who has seen this challenge from both sides. With extensive experience in talent management and workforce strategies, Nishant has worked closely with young professionals and knows exactly what it takes to transform fresh graduates into high-performing employees.

Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia

Timestamps

(02:20) Nishant shares his professional journey so far.

(03:40) He discusses the biggest gap between fresh graduates’ expectations and workplace reality.

(06:37) Do fresh grads really lack real-world skills, or are companies expecting too much? Nishant breaks it down.

(09:32) The most common soft skill gaps and how to improve them.

(12:27) Gen Z’s workplace priorities, do they clash with employer needs?

(14:46) Are internships and gig work enough? Nishant shares his perspective on what’s still missing.

(16:50) Key piece of advice for fresh graduates stepping into their first job.