JIIT Noida Campus Experience

Completing my BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from JIIT Sector 62, Noida in 2020 has been a transformative experience. JIIT is undeniably one of the top private institutes in the region. After serving 3 years as an Application Developer in Thoughtworks, when I look back and reflect on my BTech days, here are a few things I wish I could tell my past self, 7 years ago. (Not that I lacked all of these LOL, but these are some points I want to share with the upcoming faces of JIIT).

1. Embrace the Coding Culture:

There is no doubt that being proficient in coding is essential for Computer Science Engineers, be it in the field of SDEs, Data Scientists, AI/ML, App Developers ( Frontend / Backend ) etc. Make friends with people who are good in coding. Usually, people remain in their batch groups and do not socialize. They lack behind in participating in worldwide hackathons and competitions organized in other colleges. Even if you think you don’t have the skills or knowledge to win a hackathon, do participate, visit other colleges, take to people. You will definitely get to know new tech stacks and how to start learning them.

If you sit next to a high performer, you will outperform by 15%. If you sit next to an under-performer, it will decrease your productivity by 30%.

Choose your coding companions wisely and strive for constant growth.

2. Value Class Lectures:

Contrary to popular belief, attending class lectures at JIIT is beneficial.

If you want to pursue MTech, then focus on class lectures (don’t think that lectures are useless and you can always learn from YouTube, JIIT is not like that). The professors are highly qualified and provide in-depth knowledge. It’s you who has to go back home and revise. A good portion of questions in semester exams is asked from the previous year’s GATE questions. They will help you build your basics even if you don’t want to do MTech. It will also help you crack the MCQ round of companies easily.

3. Research Paper and Projects:

Push yourself to write a research paper in your minor or major project. It not only boosts up your resume but also gives you a broader in-depth view of your project and improves your vocabulary. Try to add as many diagrams and flowcharts as possible. They help you to explain your thought process in a better manner. Also, in case in future, if you think of going for Masters’s abroad, having a research paper under your name will be a cherry on the cake.

Focus on making resume-worthy projects with a good productive team rather than buying them from a third party. If you make a project from scratch, you’ll know its highs and lows, how did you plan and distribute the work, where did you face difficulties, what modifications did you make in the process, which corner cases did it backfire, and most importantly, it will make you a team player which is really appreciated in companies.

The productivity of a team obviously depends upon the teams’ skills, but also depends upon the team collaboration to a great extent. If the team is comfortable which each other and trust each other, they can surpass failure on a big level too. So, just reiterating, choose your team wisely – even one member can break or make the team.

4. Engage in Extracurricular Activities:

Participate actively in various clubs during the first two years of your college journey and strive to become a coordinator in at least one club by the third year. While these experiences may not directly impact your resume or interview process, they provide an opportunity for personal growth and skill development. Organizing events and mentoring juniors allows you to reinforce your knowledge and revise important concepts during placement preparation.

5. Choose Electives Wisely:

When selecting electives, consider your interests rather than following your friends’ choices. While it’s beneficial to have supportive classmates, your primary focus should be on subjects that genuinely intrigue you. So, talk to your elective teacher, read about course contents, and some people who have taken the course, like your seniors or even alumni. Don’t think about short-term goals, think about long-term goals.

7. Consistent Project Revision:

Make it a habit to revise your minor project and internship projects regularly until you secure a job. Set reminders to revisit these projects every month, ensuring that you stay familiar with the concepts and achievements. The consistent revision will sharpen your understanding and increase your confidence during interviews.

Wrapping up, as I reflect back on my college days, it was a really fun time. JIIT will not only make you study in that blue uniform but also encourage and help you bring a better version of yourself. So, utilize these 4 years, and have a lot of fun. No college is good or bad. It’s you who has to extract the good parts and inculcate them in you.