Students in the 3rd and 4th year of their engineering course will start thinking about what to do once they are done with their degree. Too many questions come to mind thinking about whether to get a job or continue with higher studies or to start a business. Many career opportunities are waiting outside the college once they graduate. Before selecting what to do after engineering, one needs to have proper knowledge about the jobs and the skills required in these jobs. It is not necessary to do a job immediately after engineering. There are various other opportunities to have a successful career. Therefore, it is better to have a clear understanding of what one wants to do in life.
Below are some of the options that one can consider after completing their BE/ B.Tech Degree:
- Job after graduation (BE/ B.Tech):
This is one of the most common options. Engineering students mostly prefer to get a job after the completion of their graduation in engineering. This is because job opportunities are quite high after graduation. Many top engineering colleges offer campus placements so that students can have a job even before completing their final year examination. It is better and more relevant to get a job through campus placements because getting a job outside of the college.
Some join multinational companies and some join startups. The benefit of working right after graduation is that you get additional time to dwell over your career choices. It gives you time to think about what is best suited for you and what you actually want. - MBA:
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is another option after your BE/ B.Tech graduation. Many students want to do an MBA after the completion of their undergraduation. An MBA degree after engineering is considered to be quite suitable and awarding in terms of salaries. Engineers often get bored after doing the same job for a long time. They have excellent technical skills, but are stuck on that loop because of the lack of management skills and exposures. If one feels stuck in engineering, and wants to explore the business and financing world, then this option is best suited for them. A degree in MBA gives you the opportunity to earn more in less time. Engineering with an MBA degree will add value to your resume.
In India, IIMs are considered to be the most prestigious business school. Admission to this school is done through the entrance exams like CAT examination. NMAT, GMAT, XAT, MAT and SNAP are the other important entrance exams for MBA admissions. - Higher studies in Engineering (MTech/ MS):
This is a good idea for someone who is very passionate about engineering and has plans to continue studying in the future. If one could not get a satisfying job after college, then they can always go for higher studies and increase the chances of getting a good job. But at the same time, it is seen that very few people are interested in higher education right after graduation, as it yields long term benefits.
Many universities conduct their own entrance test for admission to this course, but the most common test for M.Tech admission is Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) examination. Many students go for an M.S. degree to a foreign university. TOEFL/ IELTS Exams are English proficiency tests that must be cleared before pursuing a degree abroad. In order to get scholarships, one must clear GRE.
Nowadays most universities abroad offer scholarships and higher education in engineering in many affordable costs and banks too, provide loans for higher studies. - Civil Services:
Many students in the country sooner or later dream of becoming an IAS officer as this is one of the most prestigious jobs with a lot of responsibilities. A career in civil services assurance job stability. If you're someone who is inclined towards government job stability, then preparing for the civil service examination will be one of the best things to do after your undergraduate program in Engineering. Although corporate jobs may offer the best of salaries and other benefits, still a lot of engineering students are seen to be preparing for civil services exams after graduation. They still crave entry to the prestigious Indian Civil Services held by the UPSC.
As stated in the 65th Annual Report of the Union Public Service Commission, in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) more than half of the candidate qualifying exam comprises engineers. UPSC exam is the country?s toughest exam and it is very difficult to crack it. A lot of hard work and dedication is required to complete the vast syllabus. Engineering students can also pursue Indian Engineering Services. - Entrepreneurship:
This is the best option for you if you have a unique business idea and the money to invest in your business. With the success of many startups in recent years, setting up your own business is quite a good idea, especially if you have the intent to do it. It is important to not get carried away with the idea of becoming a popular entrepreneur and rich in very less time. It may happen, but one needs to be patient and consistent with good work. This will be more of a learning opportunity.
The ones who do not have enough money to invest in a business right after graduation, they could first get a job and earn some money. This will also help them to gather some experience on how things work in the corporate world. Starting a start-up will require a lot of hard work and patience. It will require the strength to deal with setbacks. There is a 50-50% chance of failure or success. One should know the pros and cons of this option thoroughly before choosing it.
Conclusion
There are a lot of career opportunities after graduation in engineering. The most important thing is to recognise what is best-suited for you. You need to harness your talent. Be connected with someone, like seniors or friends, who have walked through this path and can guide you through the process.
