Recently I came across some media reports which suggest
some new courses launched at undergraduate (UG) level (BE., B Tech) that are likely have huge demand in
next five years. Since I doubt that claim, this blog is specifically to express
my views on that subject.
Some of the UG courses predicted to have huge demand and
job opportunities, in next five years are: robotics, automation, automotive
design, data analytics, polymers, biochemical engineering, mechatronics. I
would not like to mention any specific course, but try to put forward my view,
giving some examples.
Few years back, a new engineering UG course was launched
by a renowned university in Maharashtra (India), titled “Instrumentation Engineering”,
with much fanfare. At that time, large number of students opted for the course.
However, even before the first batch of UG students passed out in that course,
it was realised it has very few job opportunities. As a result, many private engineering
colleges that initially started the course backed out and closed the
Department. In my opinion, any graduate mechanical, chemical or electronics
engineer can fulfill the requirement of instrumentation engineer, after a brief
initial training.
The story is somewhat similar in case of Bio-Chemical
Engineering at UG level. Any UG chemical engineer can work in a biochemical
industry, perhaps better, because he is able to take a 3600 view as
a chemical engineer. There can be no difference of opinion, if I say
mechanical, electrical or electronics engineer can work in robotics, automation,
mechatronics and so on.
The point is, the job opportunities shall be much
limited for the graduates (BE, B Tech) passing out from narrow engineering
courses like biochemical engineering or robotics. To give an example, a
chemical engineer graduate can work in biochemical engineering and also in many
other chemical industries, but a graduate with biochemical engineering degree
will find it difficult or will not be accepted by other chemical industries.
I feel, while choosing the engineering branch, first
preference should be given to basic branches like chemical, civil, computer,
electronics, electrical and mechanical engineering. It is better to avoid
joining UG course with a narrow engineering scope, as discussed above. These
subjects should be left for PG (MS, M Tech, ME) qualification.
Image Source: CERDEC Math and Science Summer Camp, 2013,
US Army, @flickr.com Creative Commons License.
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