Computer Engineer can be broadly classified into two categories. One is a Computer Hardware Engineer and another is a Computer Software Engineer. Computer Hardware Engineer is responsible for the research, designing, testing, manufacturing and installation of computer hardware such as computer chips, circuit boards, and related equipment. A software engineer is required to have strong programming skills as they are responsible for the designing and development of various kinds of software, including operating system, network distribution and compilers, computer games, word processing and business applications etc.
Computer Engineering has become the profession of the day in the last couple of decade because of its versatility of application in practically all walks of life be it watches, microwave ovens, telephones, video games, x-ray machines, ATM's, or petty toys of kids. There was a time when kids used to say unknowingly that I would like to be an “engineer” or “pilot” but these words have been replaced by “computer engineer” in last few years or so. This is the profession which has broken all the records of gaining importance in such a short span of time and is being able to sustain that reputation consistently for a long time.
Computer Engineering Eligibility
There are two options that one can follow to be a Computer Engineering graduate.
1. Join Diploma college/Polytechnic after 10th and get a Diploma in Computer Engineering.
1. Educational Qualification
To be eligible for joining a Diploma in Computer Engineering course one should be 10th Class pass or appeared.
Computer Engineering Required Skills
- To become a Computer Engineer one should be hardworking, arduous, disciplined, committed to excel and self-confident. Aspiring candidates with these traits and high analytical skills can think of pursuing computer engineering as a career.
- They need to have strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team.
- They should also be known with working with radar and communications technology; supporting high performance and embedded computing systems for nuclear medicine; military software support; designing new motors and sensors for robotic equipment.
- They also possess the ability to understand and communicate with a wide variety of people; able to work as part of a team; a logical approach to work; self-reliant and able to work independently.
How to become a Computer Engineer?
To become a Computer Engineer the aspiring candidate have to follow the following given path-
Step 1
Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the Technical Education Boards of various State Governments and selected candidates are admitted in the Diploma colleges according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.
Like in the State of Punjab in India Joint Entrance Test (JET) is taken to admit the students in its diploma engineering colleges.
This exam is generally held in the month of May-June and consists of Objective type questions on the subject of English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Aptitude.
Step 2
After completing this three years of Diploma course, one can either join some job of Junior Engineer level or can compete to get admission in the second year of a degree in engineering course which is provided by some of the regional engineering colleges of the state. or
Diploma Engineer can complete its engineering studies through AMIE (Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers) - An alternate option for getting an engineering degree
AMIE introduce non-formal engineering education Programme, successful completion of which is recognised as equivalent to a degree in engineering by the government of India, the union public service commission, state governments and public/private sector organizations.
2. As a second option engineering aspirant can opt for 10+2 followed by the admission in the degree college.
1. Educational Qualification
To be eligible for joining a Bachelors in Computer Engineering Course one should be 10+2 Class pass or appeared in a Non-Medical stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects with a minimum of 60% marks in PCM for most of the prestigious colleges.
Step 1
Eligible candidates have to appear in the entrance tests like JEE etc conducted by various state universities, Central Govt Organizations and independent institution (like IIT’s, BITS Pilani etc) present at various places in India. Candidate gets admission into these colleges for four-year degree programme according to their merit in the examination taken and a stream of their interest as selected by them.
Step 2
After successful completion of a degree course and required internship, the candidate is eligible to join Government, Semi Government or Privates sector as the assistant computer engineer. Software and IT companies are the main employers of computer engineering graduates. Besides they can also find jobs in university, research work, private & public industries, government departments, business organizations, commercial organizations etc.
Candidates can also opt for higher qualification as Master of Computer Engineering Course followed by PhD in Computer Engineering or related subjects and can go for research work or for academics.
Computer Engineer Job Description
As a computer engineer, you are responsible for researching, designing, developing and testing computer hardware and equipment, including chips, analogue sensors, circuit boards, keyboards, modems, routers and printers. You may work on the manufacturing of these components, as well as the installation.
Computer Engineer Career Prospects
Society has become so computer driven that a Computer Engineer can get a good job in all walks of life whether it is an IT company, a Call Centre, An Educational Institute or even a Shopping Mall. Thus there is no dearth of Career prospects for a Computer Engineer.
Computer Engineer Salary
In private sector graduate, Computer Engineer can expect Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 as average monthly salary. With some job experience, a computer engineer can get up to Rs. 1,00,000 per month.
Whereas in Government sector little lesser monthly pay of computer engineers is well compensated by other perks and allowances in addition to housing facilities, medical expenses as well as free/concessional air passages for their immediate family members and dependants.
