Are you an Arts graduate looking for your first job? Here is a surprise. You can apply for an apprenticeship at a technology company. And knowledge of coding is not always necessary to qualify.
The global technology company Cisco invited applications for a 12-month apprenticeship programme in India in 2025. Among those eligible were Arts and Commerce graduates, those with BBA and other three-year degrees, and even diploma holders.
Interestingly, the programme, which combined classroom learning with practical training at work, was aimed at providing graduates with experience in non-technical roles within the technology industry. The apprenticeship was offered under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).
Of course, this does not mean that every technology company accepts non-technical graduates for apprenticeships. And the Cisco deadline has passed.
However, this example reveals an alternative for young people who assume that only engineers and computer science graduates can opt for a career in the technology industry.
After all, technology companies also need people for business and other non-technical functions. And gaining experience in such an environment is possible through an apprenticeship. Although it is not a permanent job, nor a guarantee of one, it is another route worth exploring for fresh graduates seeking their first opportunity.
If you have an Arts, Commerce or BBA degree, you can visit the official NATS portal at https://nats.education.gov.in/ and look for programmes that accept your qualification. You may not possess technical qualifications. But that does not mean that a technology company is beyond your reach.