JOIN USWhy fear the recession
For more than half a century, engineering has been the most sought-after education in India. The four-year degree course sharpens the student’s analytical and logical thinking, improves presentation skills, teaches team work, and builds better confidence. Hence engineers have been found to be successful in various technical and even purely non-technical fields.
Till last year, any student graduating from a fairly reputed engineering college was assured employment through campus recruitment even before he finished the course. Many good students had more than one offer from reputed companies. Even though many of them went on to higher studies like MBA, the engineering degree was considered a strong foundation to build one’s career.
The recession has changed the scenario significantly. Suddenly jobs are scarce and not as well paying as before. Younger students are even having second thoughts whether to take up engineering studies at all. It is true that many private companies, IT firms, and even MNC’s have reduced recruitment, but those who are willing to take a holistic view will understand that opportunities are still very wide and plentiful. To illustrate a few: Those who are not tuned towards management may take up ME/MTech courses, which are less expensive, and easier to get into. Even admission to IIT’s or NIT’s at the MTech level is far easier than it is at the BTech level.
Those having a creative bent of mind can consider doing post-graduation in industrial design (even at the IIT’s), or visual communication (at National Institute of Design, National Institute of Creative Communication, NITIE, etc.)
Annually, the Union Public Service Commission (upsc.gov.in) holds an exam to induct candidates into the Indian Engineering Service (IES), which is a Class I service of the Government of India, like the IAS, and offers secure and respectable employment.
Unlike popular belief, some of the more efficient public sector undertakings, including ISRO, DRDO, BEL, BHEL, to name just a few, are doing quite well, and are not affected by the recession. Though the salaries may be lower than those in private firms, there is job security, and opportunities for growth.
Join military services
The three wings of the military (army, navy and air force) every year recruit engineers from various streams, both for Permanent Commission (with option to apply for pension after 20 years), and Short Service Commission (5 + 5 years).
Not only can one serve the nation through such a service, but also gain tremendous experience in technical and managerial skills, continue one’s studies while earning, get exposure to world class technology, and get very good opportunities in the private sector once they are discharged. Announcements has already been made by the Indian Army for the 110th Technical Graduates Course, and the last date is June 1. Details are published in Employment News and in the UPSC website, or in www.armedforces.nic.in.