Engineering has been one of the most sought-after domains in India. Millions of students apply for some of the best engineering colleges across the country every year. Their families take pride in their pursuit. Companies operating in all major industries hire a plethora of engineers every year to solve their problems and help them grow.
While engineering remains an ideal career option, it is important to know that it has become a brand over time. Is the world attracted to this field of study which has evolved over centuries just because of its brand value? Do students get into engineering just to earn big fat packages? How does this domain help students aiming to become entrepreneurs? What is the fate of Computer Science, one of the most dynamic and relevant arms of engineering?
Especially if you are an engineering student, you should have an answer to each of these questions. While the rat race is inevitable, the way you participate is what changes the game.
In this blog you are going to read interesting facts and twists about Engineering by famous engineerin blogger Ratnesh Dangi.
Let us explore this beautiful field of study and everything associated with it. Here is what you can expect further in this blog:
Table of Contents
2. Engineering: The Learning Approach
3. Top Trends In The IT Industry
4. Entrepreneurship: Is It A Good Idea?
5. Life: A Continuous Series Of Learning And Growth
1. What Is Engineering?
You need not be a rocket scientist to understand the core of engineering. It is a field of study that deals with solving real-world problems efficiently using science and technology.
Engineering is involved in almost everything around us. From the laptop or mobile phone in front of you to the building you are sitting in, every creation can be attributed to the marvels of engineering. It is an ideal blend of theory and real-world applications. It is safe to say that the application of your knowledge is slightly more important than the theories you learn. At the end of the day, it is all about how you manifest your knowledge in the form of creative inventions.
Moreover, engineering involves mindful use of resources. It involves giving birth to something useful with limited resources, time, and money.
Engineering is as old as time. The beautiful and majestic pyramids of Egypt are nothing but engineering marvels. Even thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians relied on precise measurements and laws of physics to build sturdy structures that stand the test of time.
This is where the line between art and science blurs.
There are many arms of engineering, all dealing with different aspects of our lives. Arguably the most “in” and happening domain today is computer engineering. Keeping all the glitz aside, computer engineering is all around us. From the cell phones we use to the “smart” devices that make our lives easier, the applications of this field of study are immense. Computer engineering has also led to most modern inventions, including driverless cars, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and much more.
2. Engineering: The Learning Approach
I am sure most of you reading this have watched the movie “3 Idiots.” Let us understand the learning approach of engineering with a beautiful scene from the movie.
When a professor asks his class – What is a Machine? two students answer it differently. Chatur, a topper known for mindlessly memorizing lines, answers, “Machines are any combination of bodies so connected that their relative motions are constrained, and by which means force and motion may be transmitted and modified as a screw and its nut, or a lever arranged to turn about a fulcrum, or a pulley about its pivot, etc. Especially a construction more or less complex consisting of a combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical elements as wheels, levers, cams, etc.”
Pretty heavy, right?
Now, Rancho answers the same question by saying, “Machine is anything that reduces human effort. Anything that simplifies work or saves time is a machine.”
Without a doubt, the latter is an ideal approach to learning engineering. You can reach Rancho’s definition only after thoroughly studying machines. While memorizing lines from your textbook may give you the desired grades, it will not help you understand the essence of the subject.
Especially in the age of information and digitization, how you apply your skills is far more important than how fluently you can quote your textbooks. Truly knowing the subject matter allows you to experiment with it and mold it the right way to create something new. This is how all great minds brought something new to the table.
The clout of most rank-holders and high-scorers is limited to the four years of their respective engineering degrees. There are numerous examples of such toppers struggling in the real world, while average scorers who truly understood the field make it big in the industry.
Moreover, engineering students should understand that a college is not the be-all and end-all. However, it is a stepping stone in an individual’s life. Things you learn in college will help you in tackling various aspects of your professional life. Once you graduate, you will realize how much your college experience comes in handy when you land your first job.
Allow this chart to explain better:
The seemingly trivial activities and events in your college will have a significant impact on your professional life. For example, organizing college festivals will hone your leadership skills. Making new friends nurtures your interpersonal skills. Every presentation you make prepares you for effective business communication at later stages of your life.
You can master product design and project architecture only when you study the fundamentals of Computer Science in college. You learn programming so that it helps you ace software development!
Come what may, a student’s focus should be to achieve excellence in whatever you do, irrespective of its scale.
Let me end this section with another beautiful quote from 3 Idiots,
“Baccha kabil bano, kabil…kamyabi to jhak maar ke peeche bhagegi”
1. Top Trends In The IT Industry
Every computer engineering student will enter the dynamic world of IT after graduation. They should be well-versed in modern technology and know the top trends to thrive in the industry.
While they are bound to change in the days to come, here are a few current top trends in the IT industry:
a. AI And Machine Learning
In 2024, it is safe to say that the IT industry is dominated by artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies allow machines to gather large volumes of data and assess them thoroughly to find relevant trends and valuable insights. From generating textual and audio-visual content to making detailed predictions, AI and machine learning have found numerous applications.
The most common AI and ML applications include login behavior predictions, virtual assistants (chatbots) for helpdesks, airfare predictions, and many more.
b. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is an answer to the limitations of on-premise systems and data centers. It is all about delivering services like data storage, networking, analytics, and more over the internet. Organizations no longer need to set up on-premise infrastructure to store and manage their valuable data.
The immense relevance and importance of cloud computing were evident during the recent Microsoft outage, an unfortunate event that delayed several flights and halted the operations of multiple organizations worldwide.
c. Cybersecurity
While digitization has made our lives easier, it has also made our precious data more vulnerable. Cybersecurity safeguards our systems, programs, and networks from attacks and unauthorized access. From tackling viruses or ransomware to preventing phishing and keeping valuable passwords safe, cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in sectors like banking, healthcare, wealth management, and more.
d. Data Science And Analytics
It is rightly said that data is the new oil. It is one of the most valuable assets an individual or an organization can possess. Many engineers land jobs in reputed companies dealing with data science and analytics. Gathering, processing, and interpreting data the right way has multiple applications across industries. From making forecasts to detecting fraud, data science helps thousands of organizations make wise decisions every day.
4. Entrepreneurship: Is It A Good Idea?
The days of engineering college are the crossroads at which students decide the fate of their professional lives. While some dream of climbing the corporate ladder, others aim to become successful entrepreneurs.
However, one question remains: Is entrepreneurship a good idea?
The short answer to this question is yes. Entrepreneurship is a great idea. However, speaking from personal experience, the path of becoming an entrepreneur is pretty challenging. Only the ones with passion, dedication, and purpose cross it successfully and emerge victorious.
India is full of dreamers. There is no shortage of ideas in this country. However, the only thing greater than a great idea is its implementation. If you have been harboring a business idea from a young age, ensure that it brews well and is implemented the right way at the right time. If you are still an engineering student, decide when you want to make a switch to your entrepreneurial journey. Most graduates spend a few years working in reputed companies, climbing the corporate ladder, and gaining much-needed experience before breaking free as entrepreneurs.
As long as you have a solid purpose and the will to execute it, you can start your journey as an entrepreneur. Know that perseverance is the key. Many great ideas fail. If you give up, your dream venture will certainly not see the light of the day! Have patience, stay consistent, and nurture your dream by working on it passionately.
5. Life: A Continuous Series Of Learning And Growth
Now that we have dealt with the technical aspects, let us zoom out and have a bird’s eye view of our lives. In the 9th grade, we are promised fun and freedom after the 10th. After the 10th grade, the goal post shifts to the 12th grade. After the 12th grade, it further shifts to college graduation. This is an endless process.
Do not study or work just to find some redemption after a specific date. Life is an ongoing series of learning and growth. Grade 10, 12, college, and job are all important milestones in an individual’s life. Instead of rushing past these milestones in the search for a stress-free life, take a moment to learn something from each stage. Be mindful of your surroundings, the people in your life, the knowledge you receive, and the skills you develop. This will help you create a roadmap for your life.
Humans are designed to evolve with time. Whether you want it or not, the events in your life will change you, personally and professionally. You can either stress about it and lose focus or stay determined and ride every wave that comes your way. The decision is always yours!
Come what may, never stop learning and educating yourself!
The Final Word
Engineering was, is, and will remain a hot favorite when it comes to education. If you have entered this world, know that understanding its core is the only way to success. Your learning approach, curiosity, and openness to experience will matter much more than the college you attend and the textbooks you read.
In the digital age, you can access terabytes of information in a second. Look for the right resources without limiting yourself. Take the plunge and emerge victorious, whether or not you want to become an entrepreneur. Never take half-hearted measures. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.
Until then, enjoy life, one lecture at a time!
