After completing 3-3.5 years of engineering where the efforts required to reach that stage would be strenuous, right from preparing for various engineering entrance exams and opting for the right college to navigate endless assignments and countless viva questions, you must be wondering – what’s next? With only six months remaining for completing your engineering, it is very natural to have questions like – What are the career options after B. Tech or What courses after B. Tech will secure your future.
The dilemma faced by many students is regarding what career options after an engineering degree will be suitable for them? This concern plagues many fellow students of this stream.
Any decision made regarding the future should be dictated by your interest and ability to stick to the path chosen. There are various career options after B.tech that will cater to your interest and ability to become a successful member of the society that will contribute constructively towards it.
Foundit has compiled a list of the most popular career options after an engineering degree to help you achieve your dreams.
List of Career Options after B.Tech
On and Off-campus Placements
If you think that you no longer want to study and would like to test your knowledge out in the field, opt for placement drives conducted by your college’s placement cell. Almost all colleges conduct placement drives every year, where various companies with attractive packages look for their future ideal employee.
It is essential to know the criteria required by different companies and whether separate registrations are necessary for each drive. Many companies offer recruitments for students from more than one engineering department.
Placement sales often conduct pre-recruitment training to give first-hand experience of how the recruitment process works and the essential skills required from the students. You can always approach your seniors who have been placed through these drives to get detailed guidance.
Governments, private organizations, and big educational groups offer off-campus drives, which are generally open to pool and have a more significant number of vacancies than in-campus drives.
M.Tech after B. Tech
Higher education options after B. Tech in specialized courses of the engineering department you will graduate is the most common option. Most institutes in India Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score to determine admission in various M. Tech courses. Some private universities and institutes have separate entrance exams for such specialized courses.
Tech involves researched-based learning, which will help further during job placements and Ph.D. works. The two-year course will expand the scope of your understanding of engineering and help you specialize in a highly sophisticated field.
Students can also apply for foreign universities for MS, where you can choose between MS by research and MS by Course work. Data for the top 5 countries preferred by Indians for MS is given below.
| Countries | Popular Study Options | Top Universities |
| Canada | MS in Environmental Engineering | York University, University of Toronto, University of Regina, Brock University |
| Germany | MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Computer Science | Justus Liebig University Giessen, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen University, University of Mannheim |
|
Australia |
Informational Technology Masters, MS in Environmental Engineering |
The University of Queensland Australia. James Cook University. University of New South Wales. The University of Western Australia. Australian National University. |
United States of America |
International Technology, MS in Aerospace Engineering |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Washington State University Northeastern University Michigan State University Texas A&M University University of Colorado Denver |
|
Itlay |
Architecture Master, Masters in Visual Arts |
University of Verona University of Pisa Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Free University of Bozen-Bolzano |
Management and Entrepreneurship options after B. Tech
MBA is the 2nd most preferred option by engineering graduates after M. tech. In an increasingly competitive world, it is best to have the best of both worlds, and it is not enough to know the technical side of things but also know the business side of it. Hence many companies look for engineering graduates with masters in business to fit into their jigsaw puzzles. These people can very well understand the technicalities of the product and manage their business accordingly.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is required to secure admission in top B Schools of India. Some private universities and institutes conduct specialized tests and interviews for the admission process. Students can opt from various MBA specializations like HR, Marketing, International Relations, Sales, etc.
Students who feel that engineering was not the stream for them can also opt for MBA. Some popular MBA entrance exams are – XAT, NMAT, CMAT, SNAP, IRMA, TISS, etc. Top 15 Business Schools in India as ranked by Economic Times –
- Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Ahmedabad
- XLRI-Xavier School of Management
- Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Bangalore
- Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, [SIBM]
- Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Calcutta
- Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, [NMIMS]
- Institute of Management Technology, [IMT] Ghaziabad
- Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Lucknow
- Management Development Institute, [MDI] Gurgaon
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, [JBIMS] Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Kozhikode
- Indian School of Business, [ISB] Hyderabad
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, [SPJIMR]
- Amity Business School, [ABS] Noida
- Faculty of Management Studies, [FMS] Delhi
Entrepreneurship is not a very common quality, but if you think you have it to be the next big thing in India, you should start right after engineering. Many unicorn startups of India like Paytm and Flipkart were started by engineers. Gone are the days when Indian engineers would shy away from starting their venture right after college.
To start on this path, you need to identify a problem first and develop its solution. The solution can even be based on projects you have worked on during your days in Engineering. It requires a lot of patience and sleepless nights to build a company. But the satisfaction of doing that is limitless.
If your idea is good enough, you will receive funding from various incubation centers set up by investors for mushrooming startups. With intense hard work and a little luck, who knows, you could produce the next PayTm of the Indian market. Some of the famous engineers and their startups.
| Sunny Bansal and Binny Bansal | Flipkart |
| Bhavesh Aggarwal | Ola |
| Vijay Shekhar Sharma | Paytm |
| Dipendar Goyal |
Zomato |
| Richa Kar | Zivame |
Go to Foreign Universities
It is a well-known fact that foreign universities provide better facilities than Indian ones when it comes to education. Students looking to enhance their knowledge by option for some specialized courses in the latest technologies generally prefer foreign universities.
Various universities have access to modern labs and equipment required for such specialization. For example, it is more effortless to find a foreign university that allows access to nuclear reactors for research purposes than in India.
Studying in a foreign university also allows you to explore a new country and interact with its culture. Many researchers prefer foreign universities over Indians to explore a new horizon and develop an international alumni network to further their research work.
Some foreign universities also allow industry exposure as a part of the syllabus. It is essential to qualify for exams like GRE, TOFFLE, etc., to apply for foreign universities.
Watch out for scholarships provided by various universities for international students. United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Scandinavian Countries, New Zealand, Singapore are the top destinations preferred by Indians to study abroad.
Join the Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces recruit its officers cadets from fresh graduates all around the country. The three wings of Indian Forces – The Indian territorial Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Airforce recruit special officers for their technical wings from engineering Graduates.
Modern warfare is not limited to just weapon combat, but it has to do more with the technological sophistication of its armoury. It is not well-known that when Wing Commander Abhidanand was engaged in an aerial dog fight, he was assisted by a technical ground team to help Identify his target. This team includes many engineers and area experts.
Hence the armed forces are always on the lookout for required quality talent in their arms. Each Wing has its separate exams for combat and non-combat openings, the details of such openings are advertised by respective departments as and when available.
A certain level of Physical fitness and medical parameters are required to be eligible for such a post, even in non-combat operations. It is advised to prepare yourself mentally as well as physically for such exams.
Certification Courses and Diploma
The technological advancements in engineering make it difficult for universities to update their syllabus regularly in tune with the industry requirement. Hence there is an increasing demand for professionals who possess specialized skills. Students have increasingly opted to look for relevant certification or diploma courses after BTech to supplement their learning.
Various industries now use customized – software to perform their operations, and these are generally not covered under the limited time you spend at the university.
Hence specialized courses after Btech like VLSI, embedded technology, robotics, protocol testing, ethical hacking, Artificial Intelligence, machine designing, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (Core Infrastructure), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CSM (Certified ScrumMaster), and PMP (Project Management Professional), etc. Help students to learn these additional skills and enhance their chances of employment.
Various online platforms have started these courses where this software access is provided, and a one on one learning is made possible via online teaching.
Apply for an internship program
It has become increasingly challenging to land a job after graduation without proper work experience. A suitable internship program for any industry working in your area of interest will help you navigate through the job experience required after graduation by various industries.
Various colleges have a dedicated internship cell where students can register themselves and mention the industries they want to work with. The top industries in the region are listed with the internship cell and are approached by the college on behalf of their students.
You can also approach various small and medium-scale industries personally to look for internships opportunities. It is common among large industries to advertise internship opportunities in various departments from time to time.
Internships are usually three to six months long, and if you are good enough for the company, they will approach you for a full-time job.
Public Services options after B. Tech
Indian Civil Services is the most prestigious service in India and one of the toughest exams to crack globally. Suppose you think of serving the society and nation employing administration skills and have a knack at making systems better. In that case, you can choose Civil Services as a career option after BTech.
Many parents want their kids to clear civil services to make them proud. Clearing civil services will let you get into Indian Administrative Services, Indian Police Services, Indian Foreign Services, Indian Forest Services, Indian Defence Services, Indian Revenue Services, and other important class 1 posts of the Indian Government.
Indian Police services will also help you to pursue a career in the Indian Intelligence establishment. The exams require at least a year of preparation to clear the preliminary exam, followed by a mains and interview round. You have to choose two optional subjects for the mains exam and prepare for current affairs and Indian History.
The services will give you a chance to work at the highest level in the Indian Governmental setup, where you get a chance to prepare and execute critical policy decisions.
Public Sector Units (PSU) and Indian Engineering Services are the other two career options after BTech, enabling you to serve in the public sector. The GATE exam that is required for M. Tech admissions is considered for the PSU sector.
PSU will provide an opportunity to work in different Navratna companies of Government that are directly controlled by GOI and provide all the perks of Government facilities. You can always switch careers from PSU to Private after you have gained sufficient experience in a PSU.
Indian Engineering Services is a particular post created by the Government to employ top Engineering minds in supervising and executing critical government infrastructural policies. The UPSC conducts a particular exam for Indian Engineering Service and has a subject-specific syllabus with some parts dedicated to current affairs.
Private sector options after B.Tech
If you have missed out on the campus drive or are not satisfied with the companies that conduct the drive, you can always do your research and look for opportunities outside. Companies don’t generally go to campuses for hiring; it is easy for them to upload the JD on online portals on Social media platforms to get a recruit.
The nature of Job is constantly changing, and companies are constantly looking for people of various platforms. Twitter has become a go-to platform for many companies to look for fresh and motivated talent.
Hence you need to make a good profile on all these platforms to get a fair chance. The competition is very high, and to win the race, you must create an effective resume. Modify your resume according to the needs of a recruiter by including area-specific skills and certifications in the resume.
Many platforms provide an option to upload a video resume, which helps the recruiter analyze the candidate’s presentation skills even before an actual interview.
Let your Hobbies guide you.
We live in a society where most of our decisions are influenced by our peer group. It is possible that most of you must have opted for engineering out of your peer pressure. You can always follow your passion and hobbies and pursue them as career opportunities.
You can pursue your hub hobbies like singing, dancing, painting, photography, etc. You can start by understanding how good you are at your craft and knowing if your craft can pay you well. There are several competitions and helping videos on the Internet to learn more about the path you will choose and help you while learning.
It is difficult initially to establish a stronghold in such areas and has the downside of not meeting your basic needs, but you can leave your life with the passion your heart wants to follow.
Other Career Paths
Teaching:- Teaching the best profession to go into if you want to stay connected to academics. Many students like college life and choose teaching as a career option to remain close to academics. There is a lot of competition in this field, and you are generally required to do M. Tech to apply as a teacher in engineering colleges. You have to clear UGC exams to be able to become a professor.
If you are good at a particular subject, you can become a teacher at a private institute or open private tuition of your own. Many online portals are constantly looking for people who are excellent at teaching things.
SubjectExperts:- Subject experts are sort on various projects on a temporary and permanent basis in consultation roles. Various Online portals that prepare material related to different projects are looking for subject experts to review and edit their work. You can start by writing blogs and articles regarding your domain expertise and advertise your services.
Event Management: Engineering colleges host various events ranging from cultural and political to technical, and it is typical for engineering graduates to have a particular experience of event management. Hence it won’t be such an off thought to try your hand at event management.
The industry is flooring and will grow given the per capita increase in income level. The size and occasion of and even can be varying in nature, but the fundamental essence of management skills required to conduct them are the same. No formal training is required to start in this industry; you can join a company or start one of your own and call it a startup.
Project Experts:- Students who are experts in the technical aspects of micro-projects can start taking lectures and workshops on building various engineering projects. You can build and sell various mini-projects that are required as models for demonstration. You can also keep patenting a small model against your name and sell it off for royalty to an industry when a commercial need is seen.
Freelancer:-There is a constant need for quality professionals who work as freelancers offering various services like writing, designing, etc. The Internet is flooded with opportunities that will help you earn while focusing on other career options. The need for a good writer and digital content creator at affordable rates has propelled this industry.
Data Analyst:- Present-day businesses require a lot of data to be analyzed and summarised to understand the behavior of their customers and tweak the business model accordingly. Being an engineering graduate, you develop a natural knack for reading data, categorizing them, and summarising them accordingly. Therefore with a fair bit of language skills, you can get into data analyzing.
Some online certification courses teach the basics of data analyzing; although no prerequisites are required, it is advised that you improve your MS Word and Excel skills to help you with analyzing.
The opportunities after completing your B.Tech are limitless. Many people start an altogether new career option after completing Engineering. All that is important is you diligently go through all the pros and cons of the option you will choose. Note down the expenses that are going to occur if you are opting for further studies. Talk to your parents and elders if you feel the need to do so.
Many students prefer to take a break and introspect as to what they should do ahead in life. It is advised to follow the best path that makes you content and helps you progress in one life. You can always create a new path if you feel no existing setup can help you progress. Trust your instinct and make the best of your time abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions on Career Options after B.Tech
Q1. How to get into defense research and journalism after B. Tech?
Having an engineering degree is not a prerequisite to get into defence research and defence journalism. You can start by reading up on different geopolitical policies of the Government from official sites. Attend and watch lectures of various experts of various defence forums. Do your research by visiting a country or geopolitical region of your interest to gather 1st hand experience. Take up a job in think tanks and start writing for them to get recognition before becoming a full-fledged defence journalist.
Q2. How is MS by coursework different from MS by research in a foreign university?
Students opting for MS by Coursework must study a specified course by attending classes, submitting assignments and exams. The option is suitable for students looking to go into a specialized industry. In contrast, MS by research would require students to study various research papers and conduct their research under a mentor.
Q3. How to prepare for placement drives during engineering?
Apart from having strong domain knowledge, the following steps should be followed to prepare for placement drives.
- Prepare for aptitude test by practicing on free online test sites
- Regularly update yourself with current affairs to deal with random topics
- Have clarity of thoughts and work on communication skills for group discussion rounds
- Have a mock interview with friends and family to get 1st hand experience
- Work on grooming and interview skills based on feedback from the above exercise
Q4. When Should I apply for a student visa?
Student Visa is generally issued to a student who has a confirmed offer from a recognized university. You Should start your process immediately after you receive your offer letter. Visit the Embassy in person and get the required details for applying. Universities usually provide a set of instructions to help with the visa process. Allow enough time to deal with any complications that may arise during the visa process.
Q5. What are optional subjects available for Civil Services?
There are 3 Engineering subjects in the civil services exam – Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. There are 23 other subjects drawn from various streams and 23 literature subjects to consider from. A detailed list of all subjects can be accessed from the UPSC’s official website. Notable mentions are- Anthropology, Agriculture, Mathematics, History, Geography, English Literature, Hindi Literature, Punjabi Literature, Chemistry, Political Science.
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