Source: Deccan Herald
First things first
No matter what your rank is, you must decide on which branch of engineering studies you wish to pursue. This can be achieved by doing a quick reality check.
* Genuine interest: Just because you like fast cars, automobile engineering isn’t for you. If you are really interested in a subject, make sure that you’ve done your homework thoroughly.
* Aptitude: Do you have the inherent ability to handle the rigorous course? Would you be able to achieve excellence if you are given good training?
* Personality: What qualities do you have and to what kind of careers do these qualities match? Remember that personality is really the sum total of behaviour and problem-solving techniques used by an individual. Personality is to the individual as culture is to the group. You may do the “hottest” engineering course, but what if the job culture or work environment is immensely stressful? Would you be able to cope?
Don’t be afraid to seek help
A career counsellor could put you through a test and give you a perspective that could help you in making your big decision. Another good way, that will be more rewarding, would be to meet young professionals in the field. You could speak with:
* Newly-minted graduates: They are young, they have just completed the course and they have found their first job. They are the right people to tell what it takes to study that particular branch of engineering and how the course ties in with the job they have found. They will also be able to tell you about handling campus placement interviews.
* Those with work experience: Such individuals, with over 5-7 years of experience, are sure to have domain knowledge. They are usually in mid-level management positions and will know about recruitment of new engineers. Conversations with them will help you analyse your own abilities and see how best you are suited to the course you’ve set your heart upon.
* The experts: This category comprises industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Don’t go looking for the high profile, Fortune 500 type of business heads. There are many young entrepreneurs who have inspiring stories of success to share. Hear them out because they are people with perspective and foresight.
Basic skills required
* Mathematical Skills
* Quick Learning Skills
* Logical, Analytical & Reasoning Skills
* Application Skills (project work)
* Communication Skills (to get a good job)
* Common Sense (you must know when, what, why and how to do things).
Look before you leap
Considering the wave in favour of Electronics & Communi-cation, here’s what you must know:
* Electronics & Communi-cation, Computer Science, Information Science Engin-eering: If you complete any of these courses, 90 per cent of your job opportunities will be only from the IT sector. Many students take up EC due to peer pressure and years later when placements begin, particularly when IT companies test their programming skills, they realise that Computer Science/ Information Science would have been a better option.
*Computer Science & Information Science, Electronics & Communication and Telecommunication: There isn’t much difference in course content between CS & IS and EC & TE. It is only after the fifth semester that you will have at least 2-3 different subjects. The core, however, remains the same.
* Mechanical, Civil, IP, Automobile, BioMedical and other branches have their own significance and scope. In top colleges, when companies (mostly IT firms) arrive for recruitment they invite students from all branches. So if your career goal is to be in the IT industry, it does not matter what branch you take as long as you pursue the course in a college with a good reputation among recruiters.
Get off the beaten track
Getting into EC, CS, IS and TE is all too common. If you have the courage and the ability to match, choose the less travelled path. A degree in Mining Engineering, followed by an MTech in Petroleum Engi-neering will give you a rewarding and satisfying career. The infrastructure budget of governments, the world over, is increasing tremendously by the day and there is a huge demand for engineers. You can also pursue Civil Engineering or Construction Technology.
Just because you like Biology and Computers, you don’t have to take up Biotechnology. In many cases, students have admitted that their first choice was Medicine, but having failed to make the grade for a seat in a medical college, they settled for Medical Electronics!
If you are keen on a career in Medicine, take up a regular BSc course and prepare for CET/COMEDK next year. You are sure to get a good rank.
Recently, I was happy to meet a girl who is in her second year of Information Science Engineering in Bangalore but since she is determined to become a doctor, she prepared for CET and got a good rank. After her fourth semester BE exams, she will join a medical college.
Tips to choose your college
* List the options: With your CET ranking you know where you are likely to get a seat. Make a quick list of 10-15 colleges and then begin your research.
* Location: Find out the geographical location of the college campus — is it in the heart of the city or is it situated on the outskirts?
If your commute to college takes away 4-5 hours of your time every day, you will hardly have the time to study or participate in extra-curricular activities. It is always wise to choose a college closer home as long as you don’t see opportunities to bunk college and rush home to grab a nap!
* Accreditation: Accred-itation by a well-known, recognised national or regional education body is very important. For engineering colleges, accreditation is given by NBA, NAAC & AICTE. Visit their websites to know how they evaluate colleges and check if the colleges you are considering have the required accreditation or not. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) — www.aicte.ernet.in; National Board of Accreditation (NBA) — www.nba-aicte.ernet.in; National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) — http://naacindia.org/
* Infrastructure: Infra-structure includes classrooms, administrative buildings, workshops, computer labs, library, etc. Don’t be bowled over by the colourful brochures that are routinely handed out; they are more or less like promotional material that real estate developers and builders use to promote their housing projects!
There are colleges which boast Wi-fi campus, gymnasium, etc. But remember the real reason why you are joining the college is not to hit the gym but to get a solid foundation in the course of your choice. Visit the college and get first-hand experience of the classrooms, library, hostels, student clubs, etc.
* Faculty & Academics: Get to meet your professors, check out the teacher-student ratio, and ask about visiting/ guest faculty. In professional colleges they will not ‘teach’ you the way they do in school. So if you want to become a ‘real’ engineer, choose a college that has well-qualified and experienced lecturers. A few engineering colleges are known to be very good in a particular branch of engineering studies. The students of such colleges are in the news for their achievements. Some colleges have tie-ups with the industry and offer useful internships. Pay attention to such colleges.
* Placements: Every college is sure to brag about its placements record. You need to study the placements at the micro level. Look closely at the branch-wise placement record. Better placements in a particular branch suggests that specialisation in that branch is good, which in turn suggests a good faculty. Though companies offer placements in almost all good colleges, the number of placements they offer in a college is what you would need to look at.
* Fun and games: Graduation is the time to get a well-rounded personality. Pay attention to extra-curricular activities and sports. This is sure to give you an edge over others when it comes to applying for scholarships abroad or to courses in foreign universities.
* Fees: Find out what the college charges beyond the prescribed fees. You may be asked to pay for internet access, online library, college bus (even if you don’t plan to use the facility), placement assistance and parking (if you have a four wheeler, be ready to fork out close to Rs 5,000 a month in some colleges in the City). If you are going to stay in the college hostel, look carefully at the non-refundable deposit.
* Brand value: If you have a good rank, you can choose a college which has brand value.
If not, choose a branch of engineering studies that may not be your first choice or have top billing but is offered by a college that has brand value.
It will be a decision which you will not regret.
* Don’t go by hearsay: Your friends and seniors are sure to liberally dispense ‘advice’. ‘College x has very strict rules — attendance is compulsory, no 6-pocket jeans, no sleeveless tees, the canteen food sucks, the principal is a man of ‘principles’, the hostel is a mess’, so on and so forth. Their litany of woes may be long and fascinating. But, do not trust every bit of trivia that you happen to hear. Do your homework about the course and the college thoroughly.
* Log on for help: Make social networking work for you. Use discussion forums to track alumni and post your FAQs. Visit the websites of the colleges that you are interested in.
* Do a reality check: Did you know that many colleges offer a free tour of their campus during the CET/COMEDK counselling season? Use this opportunity to see for yourself what is on offer.
* Use the CET seat matrix: Before the seat selection process of CET begins, the complete seat matrix — branch-wise, college-wise and category-wise — is published on the respective websites.
If you have access to the internet, keep a keen watch on the seat selection process. It will help to narrow down your options. For those who cannot check online, it’s advisable to get the hard copy of the CET Bulletin at least a day before the counselling begins. Best of luck!
(The writer is the Director of CIGMA India, a career guidance and counselling organisation.)
First things first
No matter what your rank is, you must decide on which branch of engineering studies you wish to pursue. This can be achieved by doing a quick reality check.
* Genuine interest: Just because you like fast cars, automobile engineering isn’t for you. If you are really interested in a subject, make sure that you’ve done your homework thoroughly.
* Aptitude: Do you have the inherent ability to handle the rigorous course? Would you be able to achieve excellence if you are given good training?
* Personality: What qualities do you have and to what kind of careers do these qualities match? Remember that personality is really the sum total of behaviour and problem-solving techniques used by an individual. Personality is to the individual as culture is to the group. You may do the “hottest” engineering course, but what if the job culture or work environment is immensely stressful? Would you be able to cope?
Don’t be afraid to seek help
A career counsellor could put you through a test and give you a perspective that could help you in making your big decision. Another good way, that will be more rewarding, would be to meet young professionals in the field. You could speak with:
* Newly-minted graduates: They are young, they have just completed the course and they have found their first job. They are the right people to tell what it takes to study that particular branch of engineering and how the course ties in with the job they have found. They will also be able to tell you about handling campus placement interviews.
* Those with work experience: Such individuals, with over 5-7 years of experience, are sure to have domain knowledge. They are usually in mid-level management positions and will know about recruitment of new engineers. Conversations with them will help you analyse your own abilities and see how best you are suited to the course you’ve set your heart upon.
* The experts: This category comprises industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Don’t go looking for the high profile, Fortune 500 type of business heads. There are many young entrepreneurs who have inspiring stories of success to share. Hear them out because they are people with perspective and foresight.
Basic skills required
* Mathematical Skills
* Quick Learning Skills
* Logical, Analytical & Reasoning Skills
* Application Skills (project work)
* Communication Skills (to get a good job)
* Common Sense (you must know when, what, why and how to do things).
Look before you leap
Considering the wave in favour of Electronics & Communi-cation, here’s what you must know:
* Electronics & Communi-cation, Computer Science, Information Science Engin-eering: If you complete any of these courses, 90 per cent of your job opportunities will be only from the IT sector. Many students take up EC due to peer pressure and years later when placements begin, particularly when IT companies test their programming skills, they realise that Computer Science/ Information Science would have been a better option.
*Computer Science & Information Science, Electronics & Communication and Telecommunication: There isn’t much difference in course content between CS & IS and EC & TE. It is only after the fifth semester that you will have at least 2-3 different subjects. The core, however, remains the same.
* Mechanical, Civil, IP, Automobile, BioMedical and other branches have their own significance and scope. In top colleges, when companies (mostly IT firms) arrive for recruitment they invite students from all branches. So if your career goal is to be in the IT industry, it does not matter what branch you take as long as you pursue the course in a college with a good reputation among recruiters.
Get off the beaten track
Getting into EC, CS, IS and TE is all too common. If you have the courage and the ability to match, choose the less travelled path. A degree in Mining Engineering, followed by an MTech in Petroleum Engi-neering will give you a rewarding and satisfying career. The infrastructure budget of governments, the world over, is increasing tremendously by the day and there is a huge demand for engineers. You can also pursue Civil Engineering or Construction Technology.
Just because you like Biology and Computers, you don’t have to take up Biotechnology. In many cases, students have admitted that their first choice was Medicine, but having failed to make the grade for a seat in a medical college, they settled for Medical Electronics!
If you are keen on a career in Medicine, take up a regular BSc course and prepare for CET/COMEDK next year. You are sure to get a good rank.
Recently, I was happy to meet a girl who is in her second year of Information Science Engineering in Bangalore but since she is determined to become a doctor, she prepared for CET and got a good rank. After her fourth semester BE exams, she will join a medical college.
Tips to choose your college
* List the options: With your CET ranking you know where you are likely to get a seat. Make a quick list of 10-15 colleges and then begin your research.
* Location: Find out the geographical location of the college campus — is it in the heart of the city or is it situated on the outskirts?
If your commute to college takes away 4-5 hours of your time every day, you will hardly have the time to study or participate in extra-curricular activities. It is always wise to choose a college closer home as long as you don’t see opportunities to bunk college and rush home to grab a nap!
* Accreditation: Accred-itation by a well-known, recognised national or regional education body is very important. For engineering colleges, accreditation is given by NBA, NAAC & AICTE. Visit their websites to know how they evaluate colleges and check if the colleges you are considering have the required accreditation or not. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) — www.aicte.ernet.in; National Board of Accreditation (NBA) — www.nba-aicte.ernet.in; National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) — http://naacindia.org/
* Infrastructure: Infra-structure includes classrooms, administrative buildings, workshops, computer labs, library, etc. Don’t be bowled over by the colourful brochures that are routinely handed out; they are more or less like promotional material that real estate developers and builders use to promote their housing projects!
There are colleges which boast Wi-fi campus, gymnasium, etc. But remember the real reason why you are joining the college is not to hit the gym but to get a solid foundation in the course of your choice. Visit the college and get first-hand experience of the classrooms, library, hostels, student clubs, etc.
* Faculty & Academics: Get to meet your professors, check out the teacher-student ratio, and ask about visiting/ guest faculty. In professional colleges they will not ‘teach’ you the way they do in school. So if you want to become a ‘real’ engineer, choose a college that has well-qualified and experienced lecturers. A few engineering colleges are known to be very good in a particular branch of engineering studies. The students of such colleges are in the news for their achievements. Some colleges have tie-ups with the industry and offer useful internships. Pay attention to such colleges.
* Placements: Every college is sure to brag about its placements record. You need to study the placements at the micro level. Look closely at the branch-wise placement record. Better placements in a particular branch suggests that specialisation in that branch is good, which in turn suggests a good faculty. Though companies offer placements in almost all good colleges, the number of placements they offer in a college is what you would need to look at.
* Fun and games: Graduation is the time to get a well-rounded personality. Pay attention to extra-curricular activities and sports. This is sure to give you an edge over others when it comes to applying for scholarships abroad or to courses in foreign universities.
* Fees: Find out what the college charges beyond the prescribed fees. You may be asked to pay for internet access, online library, college bus (even if you don’t plan to use the facility), placement assistance and parking (if you have a four wheeler, be ready to fork out close to Rs 5,000 a month in some colleges in the City). If you are going to stay in the college hostel, look carefully at the non-refundable deposit.
* Brand value: If you have a good rank, you can choose a college which has brand value.
If not, choose a branch of engineering studies that may not be your first choice or have top billing but is offered by a college that has brand value.
It will be a decision which you will not regret.
* Don’t go by hearsay: Your friends and seniors are sure to liberally dispense ‘advice’. ‘College x has very strict rules — attendance is compulsory, no 6-pocket jeans, no sleeveless tees, the canteen food sucks, the principal is a man of ‘principles’, the hostel is a mess’, so on and so forth. Their litany of woes may be long and fascinating. But, do not trust every bit of trivia that you happen to hear. Do your homework about the course and the college thoroughly.
* Log on for help: Make social networking work for you. Use discussion forums to track alumni and post your FAQs. Visit the websites of the colleges that you are interested in.
* Do a reality check: Did you know that many colleges offer a free tour of their campus during the CET/COMEDK counselling season? Use this opportunity to see for yourself what is on offer.
* Use the CET seat matrix: Before the seat selection process of CET begins, the complete seat matrix — branch-wise, college-wise and category-wise — is published on the respective websites.
If you have access to the internet, keep a keen watch on the seat selection process. It will help to narrow down your options. For those who cannot check online, it’s advisable to get the hard copy of the CET Bulletin at least a day before the counselling begins. Best of luck!
(The writer is the Director of CIGMA India, a career guidance and counselling organisation.)
