Career In Engineering Part -1

Engineers plan and design new products and systems. Engineers use advanced technical skills to oversee many types of projects. Projects may include building a new highway, designing a production line, or installing a water system. Engineers oversee the planning and building of new factories and plants. They oversee the design of new products. Sometimes they improve the way products are made. Engineers set goals and establish policies and work procedures for meeting those goals. There are various types of engineering courses available

Electrical Engineers install and maintain the power supply in any manufacturing company. They also maintain any motors and heavy electrical equipment in these companies.

Electronics, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers design embedded systems i.e. electronic devices. Telecommunication engineers specifically take on the designing of communication networks e.g. mobile phones, blue tooth devices etc.

Computer Engineers job is to design/ build and maintain Computer hardware or write software codes. These could be for banking, telecommunications or software for embedded systems i.e. electronics.

Chemical Engineers work specifically in chemical industries to design and maintain the plant they work in. These industries include pharmaceutical, food, textile, paint, fertilizer, cosmetic, detergent and in oil refineries.

Instrumentation Engineers automate manufacturing and chemical processes. Their work includes interfacing the plant with a computerised system and ensures that the plant runs automatically.

Mechanical Engineers research and develop machines, tools and various mechanical devices and components. A mechanical engineer is concerned with the design, planning, development and maintenance of machines and equipment ranging from jet engines to minute instruments used in medicine and surgery.

Civil engineers build cities -- from roads and bridges to tunnels, public buildings, and sewer systems. They are involved in the planning, construction, and maintenance of all kinds of infrastructure.

• The Job
  • Design and development of machinery, products, systems and processes.
  • Testing, production and maintenance of these processes
  • Estimate the cost and time to complete these projects
  • Work for hours conceiving new methods

• Personality traits
  • Use their logic and technical knowledge to solve practical problems
  • Mostly have to work behind the scenes so not too bothered with the limelight
  • Have to work in a team therefore should be supportive and friendly in disposition
  • Have to be able to be out in the field for hours at a stretch
  • Higher level of managerial capacity as you move up the ladder.
  • Able to take on the spot decisions

• Job Prospects

Electrical Engineers are hired by power generation and transmission companies like NDPL, Delhi Transco, BSES, EIL, DMRC, which are mostly government, and private players like Reliance Energy, Tata Motors, L&T, Bajaj Auto etc.

Electronics, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers are in a lot of demand right now because all software companies require networking. Apart from that there are a large number of companies working in embedded systems. Firms like Texas instruments, Sasken, Paxonet and Bosh, recruit electronic engineers. Leading software companies include Wipro, Infosys (both hire almost 500-700 engineers per year) and Amdox (which hires almost 100 engineers an year).

Computer and Information Technology Engineers are highly in demand and is another most sought after field. Mega players like Infosys higher about 2000 computer professionals every year, with Wipro, TCS and Patni demanding almost the same

Chemical and Instrumentation Engineers find jobs with Petrochemical Industries like BPCL, HPCL & Reliance, Pharmaceutical Industries Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd, Inorganic and organic chemical plants such as Dai-Ichy, Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd. Some are hired by Process Consultants like Tata Honeywell and Emerson.

Civil Engineers can find job in Government departments, private and public sector industries, military, engineering services research and teaching institutions etc.

Mechanical Engineering finds applications in all fields of technology. They could work in many industries including private or public sector industries of various types, and their work varies by industry and function. Engineers are required in automobile, chemical, electronics, steel plants, oil exploration and refining, technical wings of armed forces, space research organisation, etc.

• Salary and Remuneration

Electrical Engineering

Salaries in government organizations are 10-12, 000 per month. Whereas private companies pay much more, about 2.5 lacs per annum

Electronics, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers 

Companies like Texas and Sasken pay a starting salary between 2.5 – 4 lacs whereas Wipro and Infosys pay anything between 2- 3 lacs per annum.

Since the growth rates of these companies are pretty high e.g. an engineer with 3-4 years of experience can expect a salary of 60-75 thousand per month

Computer Engineering and Information Technology Engineers are paid a starting salary of Rs 1.5 - 2.5 lacs per annum. However growth rates are exponential. With about 4-5 years of experience, one can expect a salary of about Rs 60,000 – Rs 80,000 per month. In addition to this, after about 2 years in the field, one can expect a trip abroad for about 2-10 months. During this period, salaries are about $5000 per month additional to what you get by the company that originally hired you.

Chemical and Instrumentation Engineers usually get a starting salary of about Rs 2 - 2.3 lacs per annum with a growth of about Rs 30,000 per annum.

Civil Engineers The earnings depend on the industries employing civil engineers such as Central or State government departments or private concerns. In India, a bachelor's degree candidate in civil engineering can receive a starting salary of Rs.4000 up to Rs 7500 approximately with 2-3 years experience

Mechanical Engineering Most fresh engineers start at Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per month, with allowances. Those with an additional management degree in addition to engineering can command salaries of Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000 per month.

In all these fields, a master’s degree is an added advantage and starting salaries go up by about Rs 40,000 – 50,000 per annum.

The study routes and various engineering college details are given in next part of this article.