Why choose Engineering as a Career
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It is said that engineering is not just a degree, but a way of thinking. Even though the number of engineers in India has proliferated over recent years, the demand for good engineers has remained constant. Engineering continues to be a popular option for higher education among students as indicated by the rising number of candidates who appear for engineering entrance exams like JEE Main (previously known as AIEEE) and JEE Advanced (previously known as IIT-JEE.) Engineering is one of the few professions where creativity meets originality and innovation and this explains its popularity.
Top 4 Reasons to Pursue Engineering
- The course itself can offer a variety of specialties. If you're not sure what to focus on in science, an engineering course could give you flexibility.
- An engineering course can offer you diverse career options after completion of the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.). You can either opt for a Master of Science (M.Sc.) from a good international university or pursue an MBA, which can help you gain management skills in addition to technical skills. Besides these options, there are conventional concentrations such as mechanical, electrical and electronics that generally have a steady demand. Other emerging options such as nanotechnology and biotechnology are gaining steam.
- Engineering can also be a well-paying profession. Even though the starting salary may not be at par with a doctor or other professional position, over the long term potential growth and opportunities offer potential for good remuneration. In the US, engineering geologists can expect job growth of 21 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/ooh).
- An engineering graduate has long been respected in Indian society. This is important as social stature is a big concern for families in India. Engineers have been responsible for the tremendous innovations and discoveries since time immemorial. Since engineering involves concepts and reasoning, it can be a great choice for anyone who wants to leave a mark.
Positives and Negatives of Engineering
- A head start with good companies, tremendous opportunities for growth and a variety of career options are just some of the positive aspects of engineering. You can use your technical finesse to be creative, which can be very satisfying.
- Despite the numerous positives, like every field there are some negatives attached to the profession.
- Engineering has become a common degree in India and so students may have to stress what distinguishes themselves from others with the same training.
- It is also said that the amount of work that you need to put in is high relative to expected returns.
Traits common to Engineers
An engineer should have curiosity and a bent of mind to discover something new. If you merely study science with the objective to score and do not find much interest in the experiments and the numerous applications possible through the formulas and concepts, it is unlikely that you would want to make a career in the same.
Growth for Engineers
Money is always an important consideration when choosing a career and engineering can offer tremendous opportunities for growth. The expansion in the services sector, growing stress on manufacturing and a large number of emerging fields may all contribute to income growth for engineers.