Dentists join BPOs for fat pay package
By siliconindia   |   Thursday, 02 April 2009, 15:52 IST   |    25 Comments
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Dentists join BPOs for fat pay package
Bangalore: The slowing down IT industry has not yet lost its charm, with dentists shifting to BPOs for the fat pay packages. "While the job of a dentist would fetch a miserable 2,000 monthly salary for a fresher, a BPO job can ensure 8,000 plus earning," said Meena (name changed), a BDS graduate. The BDS graduates are hanging up their white coats due to the lack of jobs in the dental market as the preference is for those with post-graduate degrees (PG). Moreover, PG seats are too few and too expensive to fund. They admitted that they were unhappy with such jobs but salary was a deciding factor. "A decade ago, fresh graduates were appointed as lecturers but now PG is essential for lecturer's post. However, a few colleges take them as tutors paying a meagre amount from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. The others join as assistants in clinics," S S Hiremath, Dean, Government Dental College told The Times of India. Even government colleges where the fee structure is lower are going a begging as the job prospects after the degree is inadequate. "This is not even half of what I spent for studying BDS," said Chandana, who is working as a lecturer in private dental college for a salary of 5,000. The only reason why people opt for the course is the status symbol associated with the term 'doctor'. "Engineers and doctors do carry a status; hence I have joined the course. If I don't succeed in getting a PG seat, I will pursue interior designing or fashion technology, as part-time," said another BDS graduate Sneha.

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