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Call Centers Go From Booming to Begging

India's maturing economy takes shine off customer-service sector

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 18, 2007 1:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – India's call centers are the classic symbol of how outsourcing has helped the world's second-largest country to boom, but Time reports that the sector is suffering as India grows richer and better educated. College graduates who several years ago aspired to work in a call center now say that the bleary-eyed profession isn't worth the trouble.

As India's economy has matured, better job opportunities—not to mention working hours that aren't synchronized with the US—have shaved off interest in call centers, and the sector is being forced to recruit. These days, says one college student, "if you work at a call center today people will think you don't have anything else to do or were a bad student."

At 1 a.m. local time in Bangalore, India, -- peak workday hours in the United States -- the noise inside 24/7 Customer call center crescendos to a climax with the noise of nearly 1,300 phone conversations.
At 1 a.m. local time in Bangalore, India, -- peak workday hours in the United States -- the noise inside 24/7 Customer call center crescendos to a climax with the noise of nearly 1,300 phone conversations.   (KRT Photos)
Most call center employees are not allowed to use their real names, let alone reveal their Indian locations to callers.
Most call center employees are not allowed to use their real names, let alone reveal their Indian locations to callers.   (KRT Photos)
Call center employees at MphasiS and 24/7 Customer in Bangalore, India, receive one to three weeks of training before they begin taking calls.
Call center employees at MphasiS and 24/7 Customer in Bangalore, India, receive one to three weeks of training before they begin taking calls.   (KRT Photos)
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