Plan your career: Cultivate soft skills to enjoy the work you do

There are several opportunities after completing B.Tech., in Electronics and Communications. Though it is widely circulated that there is a bubble or saturation in engineering jobs, it is actually not true for any course. 

The engineering graduates mostly wait for the right or better job and lose plenty of opportunities. The prospects are many, if you wish to try your hand anywhere in the beginning and wait for the right moment to strike rich. 

Let us list the opportunities that lay before you. Campus interview and career expo: Attend as many campus and career expos as possible. You will get a good grasp of all that is available.

Join software firms: It remains the popular door to enter for the Electronics and Communications graduates. Join in any capacity and move on to software development sectors. The later is more challenging work as you are expected to know coding and algorithms. Hence, you are expected to have knowledge of C/C++/Java etc., You can top up your B.Tech., degree with some short courses in these lines. 

Telecom and electronic companies: It may suit your study. These companies offer core job for Electronic and Communication engineers. There is no big growth in this sector. There are already job cuts but the talented and passionate bunch could still find their way. You can try your luck in public sector companies too. 

Further qualification: Today, B.Tech., alone is not sufficient. It has become just the basic. For a deeper understanding of your study and for brighter career opportunities, it is better to do a Master’s programme either in the same field of study or in a related or specified course, even up to the extent of completing your doctorate. 

Look beyond India for career: The Research and Development sector is underdeveloped in India. There is no much importance given for R&D in any field and it is also true of electronics and communications. If you are interested in R&D, it is better to move into MS and PhD courses in abroad. The scope is high when you complete your higher studies abroad. If you are looking within India, try pursuing it in any of the Indian Institutes of Technology. You can get admission for M. Tech through GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam. 

If you wish to switch over to related fields at the higher level of your study, you have options like Automotive Electronics, Communication Engineering, Nanotechnology, Sensor System Technology, VLSI Design etc. If you desire to take up job immediately, get into even a low paying job and wait for the right moment. Don’t just stay at home waiting for the right job. 

There is nothing like right or wrong job. It is the individual who makes the difference. It is also not a bad idea to try state/union service commission exams if you aspire to enter into a decent job. But never stay idle. 

It opens up to world of prospects with Government sector in the companies like BSNL, BEL, ONGC, SAIL, MTNL, ISRO and IOC. You can find the notifications for exams and jobs through many sources including newspapers. 

There are also students who shift over to Business Administration after completing graduation in engineering. With managerial knowledge, you equip yourself better for a better career. 

Starting your own entrepreneurial activity is also wide open. If you have the drive in you, it will pave the way to express your creativity and ideas. 

Recently, I met a mechanical engineer who designed a simple popcorn- making machine and won a contract with a major company. 

It requires hard work, commitment and money to invest. Ideas ensure investment from various sources. 

Seriously, if everything is out of reach, choose to serve the country. 

All the wings of Indian Army, be it Navy or Air Force offer jobs in their technical crew. Keeping your options open takes you through many doors and you will find the right career of satisfaction.