Engineering
Engineering is the practical problem solving. Engineers use scientific knowledge to design and build structures, machines, or systems. Scientific knowledge means your knowledge in Maths and Science. During the course of engineering you mainly acquire additional skills for logical Thinking, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. This helps you to get a technical or managerial job, or to do your own business.
The systems designed and built by engineers include roads, bridges, buildings, cars, aeroplanes, machines, tools, computes, phones, etc. Accordingly, there are different Branches of Engineering. Some branches including Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science, etc. are known as basic branches. There are more than a hundred new branches of Engineering. When you choose a branch of engineering, ensure that you know the type of jobs associated with it. Ensure it matches with your aptitude, so that you can excel in it.
In addition to the technical services, engineers with technical expertise are in great demand for managerial functions too. An engineer with management qualifications is expected to excel in discharge of his duties as manager, particularly in construction, project and production management. It is noted that nearly half of the total selected candidates for the civil services are engineers. The engineering graduates also excel in self-employment including small industrial projects, electronic business, construction activity, mechanical venture or fabrication activity.
Courses
Engineering Courses are available in different levels:
Diploma in Engineering is 3-year job-oriented courses offered by Government as well as Private institutes across India. There several Polytechnics and Technical Institutes offer Diploma courses. Usually the basic qualification required is 10th grade.
B.E (Bachelor of Engineering) / B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) is the professional undergraduate engineering degree programme, which is of 4 years (8 semesters) duration. BE/BTech is your gateway to a career in engineering. Some colleges offer BE, while other colleges offer BTech. Conceptually BE is more theoretical and knowledge oriented, whereas BTech is skill oriented and has more focus on application of engineering.
Usually BTech is 4 years after +2. For those who have completed Diploma in Engineering, there is an option to complete BTech in 3 years.
M.E (Master of Engineering) / M.Tech (Master of Technology) is a two year (4 semesters) professional postgraduate program, after successful completion of BE/BTech. ME/MTech degree is offered across various specializations. The entry for ME/MTech is via GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).
Required Skills
Each branch of engineering requires a specific skillset. However, in general the skills required for engineering include:
- Logical Thinking, Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Analytical & Creative thinking
- Communication Skill – Verbal and written
- Application of the knowledge in Mathematics and Science
- Familiarity with Industry Standards
- Ability to work as team
- Leadership Skills
- Acquaintance with Computers & IT
Eligibility Criteria
The basic eligibility requirement for admissions to any BTech programme is:
- Candidates must have passed Class 10+2 exam from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as core subjects.
- They must also have secured a minimum aggregate mark of 60% in the above subjects combined.
The eligibility criteria may vary from institute to institute.
The basic eligibility for Diploma courses is 10th grade pass.
Entrance Examination
JEE Main is the main entrance examination for BE/BTech admission in important institutes including National Institute of Technology (NIT), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTI), etc.
JEE Advanced is the entrance for BE/BTech admission in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
State Level Engineering College admission is based on state level entrance exams, for example:
- Kerala Engineering Agriculture and Medicine (KEAM)
- Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination (TNPCEE)
- Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET)
- Andhra Pradesh APEAMCET
For most state level entrance examinations, 50% weightage is for Board Exams.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test inEngineering) is the entrance for ME/MTech postgraduate programs.
Job Profiles
As engineering has hundreds of branches, a lot of job profiles are available. Some job profiles are listed here.
- Computer Science Engineer
- Mining Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Ceramic Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Automobile Engineer
- Robotics Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Electronics & Communication Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Lecturer/Professor
- Electronics Engineer
- Software Develop
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Product Manager
- Marine Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer
- Telecommunication Engineer
Top Recruiters
There are demands for engineering graduates in several domains including the private and public sector. Several companies recruit engineers in various capacities. Here are some examples of top companies recruiting BE/BTech graduates
- Accenture Services
- Amazon
- Apple
- Flipkart
- Goldman Sachs
- HCL Technologies
- Hindustan UniLiver Ltd
- Honeywell
- HSBC
- IBM Global Services
- ICICI
- Infosys Technologies
- Intel
- ISRO
- ITC Limited
- JP Morgan
- Larson & Tubro
- Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd
- Microsoft
- Procter & Gamble
- Samsung
- Siemens
- TATA Consultancy
- Uber
Institutions
Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) are the most prestigious institutes. There are 23 IITs across India, with a total intake of over 11,000 for BTech undergraduate programs in various branches. IITs also offer postgraduate program (MTech) and Bachelor-Master dual degree (BTech + MTech in 5 years) and Doctoral degree (PhD).
National Institutes of Technology (NITs) is there one in most states. There are 31 NITs with a total intake of over 10,000 for BTech undergraduate programs. Most NITs offer MTech as well as Bachelor-Master dual degrees.
Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTI). There are 23 GFTIs with a total intake of over 9,000 seats for BTech.
In every state in India, there are Government Engineering Colleges, Aided Engineering Colleges and Self-Financing Engineering Colleges. State Level Engineering Colleges are available in this link.
Before joining a course, please ensure that the course in the given institution is approved by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
Polytechnics offers three years Technical Diploma Courses in various branches of Engineering. Admission to Polytechnics in some states is based on 10th grade marks and others are based on entrance exams.
Questions & Answers
[Q] Which is the best course to pursue after BTech in Mechanical Engineering ?
[A] Here are some options to pursue after BTech in Mechanical Engineering
1. ME/MTech/MS with any of these specializations:
* Nanotechnology
* Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
* Structural Analysis
* Kinematics
* Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
* Production Engineering
* Turbo machinery and Combustion Systems
* Mechatronics and Robotics
* Computational Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics
* Rapid Prototyping
* Mechanics
* Thermodynamics and Thermo-Science
2. MBA for management career.
Mechanical Engineers with MBA are preferred for Project/Product/Process/System/Marketing Management in various organizations.
3. Short term specialized courses
* AutoCAD
* CATIA
* Solid Edge
* Pro-E
* Ansys Fluent
* Fluent & Gambit
* Solidworks
* CAD/CAM software
* CNC Programming
* Unigraphics
[Q]: What is the difference between Masters of engineering and Masters of science?
[A]: Different Universities have their degrees offered as either Masters of Technology (M.Tech), Masters of Science (M.S or M.Sc) while some offer Masters of Engineering (M.E). The course content and credits offered are relatively the same at all universities for their relevant academic schedule. It is safe to talk to the departments of relevant Universities while comparing the degree offered and their duration.
[Q]: What is the suitability test at IIT Madras for MTech admission in the Mechanical Engineering Department?
[A]: Suitability test is in IIT Madras campus is a screening test where the respective faculty of the concerned discipline will give a presentation on the particular engineering domain in MTech course. After the presentation, there will be an interview session, in which you will be asked questions to check your passion in that particular discipline, your goal for MTech course etc.
[Q]: What are my options as an Engineering student, if the on campus placements in my college are not good?
[A]: You do have a few options as follows:
- Strengthen your Profile – Take up some other courses like CAD softwares, Review some Papers.
- Join LinkedIn, Naukri.com, Monsterjobs.com or other online job portals
- Search for Jobs in your City/ State.
- List a few companies you would like to work for and send them your Resume and cover letter
[Q]: Can Mechanical Engineering Freshers Work In IT Companies?
[A]: Yes, a mechanical engineering fresher has opportunities in IT companies considering your knowledge of science and mathematics to carry out the work in hand after a little training. Please keep in mind before taking up a job in an IT company that you are most probably leaving your domain behind and taking up a job that will require you to work hard in order to push themselves up. In order to get the job, it will be good to brush up your knowledge in C/C++/Java and some software development tools.
[Q] Which are the best short term courses to pursue after BTech in Electronics?
[A] There are numerous course options available. You may opt for the one which matches your interest, skills and long term career goal. The options include:
* Advanced Diploma in Real Time Operating Systems
* PG Diploma course in Industrial Automation System Design
* Diploma in VLSI Design
* Certificate program in VLSI design engineering
* Diploma in Embedded Systems Design
* Online course on Embedded Systems
* Telecom Protocol Development
* Certificate courses in Verilog and VHDL
* Signaling & VoIP Protocol Implementation
* Advanced Diploma in DSP System Design
* Optical Fiber Communications
* Post Graduate Diploma in Wireless and Mobile Computing
* Diploma in Wireless Technology
* Radio-Television Systems