Scaler School of Technology (SST), a Bengaluru-based institution offering undergraduate programmes in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, has reported strong placement outcomes even before its official placement season begins.

According to the institution, 36 per cent of students in the current batch have already secured internships with pre-placement offer (PPO) opportunities at leading technology companies, including Amazon, Rippling, Emergent and Slice.

The average salary offered to students on the PPO track currently stands at ₹20 lakh per annum, while the highest offer has reached ₹46 lakh per annum.

Real-world experience shaping careers

Unlike traditional engineering programmes, SST incorporates a mandatory year-long industry immersion programme that combines internships, startup-building and practical product development experience.

Students are introduced to software engineering, product development and artificial intelligence concepts from the early stages of their academic journey. The institution says learners are encouraged to build real-world products and solve industry problems throughout the four-year programme.

The model appears to be yielding results beyond India as well. Students from the current batch have secured more than 12 international internships in countries including Singapore, Germany and Indonesia, while one student is reportedly working with a Y Combinator-backed startup in San Francisco.

Employers prioritising skills over degrees

Industry experts believe the success reflects a broader shift in technology hiring, where employers increasingly value practical skills and project experience over traditional academic credentials alone.

As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace, companies are looking for candidates who can demonstrate problem-solving abilities, product development experience and adaptability.

According to SST, internship-to-PPO pathways are becoming more common because they allow employers to assess students through real-world work before making long-term hiring decisions.

The trend also highlights Bengaluru’s growing role as a centre for AI education, innovation and startup-driven learning, offering students greater exposure to emerging technologies and industry opportunities