Although there may be some dissatisfaction among some of them regarding the branch and the college they are admitted into, it is high time now to think about how best they can utilize this opportunity and be successful in their career. The present scenario of job market in India is very good and all the branches of engineering have plenty of jobs. Hence, students need not worry about the branch. If they are technically sound, and get the degree, there are many jobs for them.
It will be entirely a new environment, new friends, new teachers and new ways of learning. There will be a lot of change from the studies at +2 level and the present one. Hence, it is necessary to have a change in the mind set to adjust to the new environment.
Aim with clarity
Remember that you have started the academic year lately, but the reason for choosing your branch should be clear. Once you have joined the college, there are many challenges ahead – scoring good marks, confusion about the project work topics, searching for internships, ambiguity after completing B Tech - either to pursue M Tech or MBA or to go for a job. Do not panic, if your aim is clear, the rest of the challenges can be overcome easily. Succeeding in academics is as important as planning your career from the day 1. So, start molding yourself to reach the final destination.
Self-Learning
Most of you are spoon fed until your intermediate. The questions are straight from the textbooks and you are sculptured in such a way to answer them to score high marks. The real challenge starts from your under graduation. You are being given a lecture about a topic in a classroom for an hour and there are very few people to guide you. So, self-learning is the most important quality one should adopt in engineering. There are various ways – approach library, refer books, finish the syllabus on same day after the class.
Communication Skills
As most of you think, communication skills are not just speaking skills but also include communicating with others so that they easily understand your opinions/ expressions. These skills have become very important in the current industry scenario. Employees need to coordinate with each and every department in the company and so his subjective or technical skills not alone enough. So, develop communication skills while pursuing under graduation, which escalates your career further.
Campus Placements
Most of the students are neglecting their academics dreaming that they can get a job in campus placements. Beware that many companies don’t need passed candidates, but, they need students who have completed their studies with distinction. Along with academics, students should develop aptitude levels to be placed in reputed companies. If your aim is higher education after B Tech, plan accordingly.
As per the latest decisions from NASSCOM, campus placements are being held in the 7th semester. Some colleges have approached with a proposal to conduct placement in the 6th semester and the necessary steps are being taken to implement it. So, the students should be well prepared for the recruitments in advance.
Role of Internships
Though internships are not part of your curriculum, students should make it a compulsory part of their academics. Internships are considered as the first job for any student. Students can gain the skills necessary for a particular job. There are several advantages with internships – it adds weight to your profile, practical knowledge will be developed, it takes you ahead of others while searching for a job. Search various companies’ website to find appropriate internships. You can earn while you learn through internships.
Project Work
The skills you learn in academics are put in a practical way in project work. However, students have forgotten the importance of project work. Many of them are showing affinity towards dummy projects. Though difficult to find a real live project, strive hard to find one. You can taste its benefits later while working.
Short-term courses to find a job
These are as important as your academics. Now days, many students find jobs through short-term courses. Select a course that is suitable to your branch. For instance, Civil engineering students can take up Auto CAD, mechanical students can do CAM, designing courses. Similarly, there are many software courses associated with every engineering branch.
Hard work, self-confidence and commitment are the qualities that drive any student to achieve a bright career.
"All the best!"
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