ONCE A DREAM – NOW JUST AN OPTION: THE ENGINEERING REALITY
There was a time when the title "Engineer" was worn with pride. Not 200 or even 100 years ago—just about 10 years back. If you think about it, ever since we entered the 2000s, the world has been moving rapidly in every field—whether it's technology or population growth. And along with that, one powerful word gained importance: “Competition.” Today, competition exists in every domain.
Coming back to engineering—becoming an engineer today has become one of the most common career choices in India (and even abroad), especially for those who can afford it. Why? The answer is simple: the number of engineering colleges in India has exploded. For example, Uttar Pradesh has around 400 colleges, Maharashtra around 300, and Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh together have more than 1,500. But when we talk about states like Bihar, there might be barely 10.
From what I’ve observed in Karnataka, nearly 40–50% of students in engineering colleges are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
I remember something from my time in Patna during my 12th standard. My chemistry teacher—his name was Diwakar—once jokingly said,
“In Karnataka, everyone is either an engineer or a pig. So if you throw a stone from your rooftop, it will hit either an engineer or a pig.”
Everyone in the classroom laughed—including me. But today, that line feels more real than funny. Although, to be honest, I’ve never seen pigs here. If he had said dogs instead of pigs, maybe it would’ve been more accurate! After all, in today’s situation, some engineers behave like dogs, and some dogs are smarter than engineers. I hope you understand what I mean.
What Is the Scope for Engineers in India?
Before I dive into that, let me clarify something. In India, some universities offer a B.Tech degree, while others offer B.E. In Karnataka, for example, it’s called B.E.
Once, while I was returning to Bangalore by train for a new semester, I met a fellow passenger from Jhansi (UP). He was a law student. We got into a conversation, and when I told him I was pursuing B.E., he asked:
“What is the difference between B.E. and B.Tech?”
Now I ask you, my friends—if you're an engineering student, how would you answer that question? Think about it, and feel free to share your answers in the comments. I gave him the best explanation I could at the time, and I believe he was satisfied. We chatted further about different topics during the journey.
As I mentioned in my first blog, I chose Electronics and Communication (E&C) based on my interest. Just today, my father asked me:
“What is the difference between an EC engineer and a Mechanical engineer?”
I explained what I could based on what I had learned in my first and second semesters. I don't know much about Mechanical Engineering, but I shared what I knew.
If you're an EC student, ask yourself:
Do you know what Communication is?
For us, everything revolves around communication. I define it this way:
"Communication is the exchange of information from one place to another. In electronics, this may be wired (like telephony) or wireless (like satellite communication)."
What’s the Scope for EC Engineers in India or Abroad?
Now to the real question my father asked: "What is the career scope for an EC engineer in India or abroad?"
Unfortunately, the scope for EC engineers in India is limited. There are very few core electronics companies that hire EC engineers for what they’re truly trained in. Most EC graduates in Bangalore end up working in software companies or the IT sector. BPOs and call centers are also open to all branches.
If you know of any great opportunities for EC engineers in India, please share them in the comments. In contrast, Mechanical Engineering has better prospects—especially in industrial cities in states like Odisha, West Bengal, and others. But again, it all depends on the location and industry presence.
One important note: this situation does not apply to IIT students. They truly deserve the title of Engineer. They get placed in top IT companies, software firms, banks, and other sectors—both in India and abroad. But for the rest, India offers very limited opportunities aligned with their specialization.
So, Should You Choose Engineering?
If someone asks me whether they should pursue engineering, my answer is both yes and no:
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No, if you are not getting admission into a reputed college. In that case, I would suggest you prepare for Civil Services or other general competitions instead.
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Yes, but only if you’re getting into an IIT or a top NIT. That way, your hard work and talent won’t go to waste.
Thanks for reading my blog. Please leave your comments below, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Until next time—take care!
