An Engineer is a technical professional who applies the theories and principles of physical sciences to design and develop economically viable and easily executable products and solutions to technical problems of his sphere.
Like some of the other professions - Medicine and Architecture - to name a few, Engineering is also prevailing since time immemorial. Although the importance of engineering as a profession gained its ground only after the industrial revolution but since then it is spreading at a fast pace. Right now there is no field in the sphere of human life that can survive without the use of engineering skills of one kind or another. In fact, engineering has become the backbone of the growth of civil society. It is only the marvel of engineering that today more than 1000 persons can move a distance of 500 km in 1 hours time that too without any hitch and 100% comfort in the highest comfort-loaded compartment of a bullet train and this is just the beginning, time is not far away when we will be traveling under the sea from Great Britain to America in the same kind of an engineering charisma.
In the last 75 years or so with globalization and increased consumerism, the importance of engineering has increased many folds, particularly in developing countries like India. Whatever may be the field, be it civil, electronics, food technology, or any other, engineers are in high demand now.
In this society where the tolerance power has become zero only a hundred percepts perfect professional is sort after. So to be an engineering professional one has to give a hundred percent to be in the race to grab good opportunities in this field. In lieu of this hard work and professionalism, this profession provides social status as well as good returns in terms of money and riches.
Engineer Eligibility
The minimum educational qualification for becoming an Engineer is a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a recognized institute.
Engineer Required Skills
- One should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel in their respective field, and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities in you then be ready to compete in some of the highly rated competitive exams to enter world-class engineering institutes to refine your skills to deliver a hundred percent.
- They must have critical thinking such as asking questions, seeking out answers, comparing options, and making decisions. It is also about keeping things in perspective and learning from experience and practice.
- They must be known about technology such as how they all work, but be comfortable with technology and have a basic understanding of what it is and what it can do.
- They also possess enthusiasm and commitment like learning new skills is part of every engineer's role.
How to Become an Engineer?
To become an Engineer the aspiring candidate has to follow the given steps:
Step 1
After clearing 10 classes from any education board aspiring candidates can join Diploma College/Polytechnic and get a Diploma in Engineering (in any of desired trades). Candidates may have to appear in an entrance test conducted by Technical Education Boards of various State Governments and selected candidates are admitted to the Diploma colleges according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.
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 these three years of Diploma courses the Diploma Engineers 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 his engineering studies through AMIE (Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers) - An alternate option for getting an engineering degree. AMIE introduce a non-formal engineering education Programme, the successful completion of which is recognized as equivalent to a degree in engineering by the government of India, the union public service commission, state governments, and public/ private sector organizations.
Alternatively after clearing the 12th class from a recognized board candidates can take Engineering Entrance Exams like Joint Entrance Exams etc to get admission to Bachelor's degree courses in some of the best engineering colleges like the Indian Institute of Technology, NITs, IIITs, etc.
Step 3
After successful completion of a degree course and required internship, the candidate is ready to join Government, Semi Government or Privates sector as an Assistant Engineer. The more competitive Engineers can compete in the Combined Indian Engineering Services exam to get to the top most technical post in various State Governments or the Government of India.
Engineering graduates can also pursue higher qualifications such as ME followed by a Ph.D. and can opt for research work or for academics. For getting admission to Master's in Engineering courses in reputed institutes candidates may have to appear in GATE Exam.
Engineer Job Description
Engineer-irrespective of his trade- job includes design, development, and project completion. His job is to prepare engineering analysis of projects to include: preliminary design, calculation, life cycle cost, and equipment selection. He also conducts surveys to gather field data beside prepare and interpreting blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, and other visual aids.
Engineer Career Prospects
- Junior Engineer (Starter) – Diploma Engineer
- Assistant Engineer-(Direct) - Degree Holder
- Sub Divisional Engineer
- Assistant Executive Engineer
- Executive Engineer
- Superintending Engineer
- Chief Engineer (Top Most Post)
Some of the various trade options available to budding engineers are:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Automobile Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Electrical Engineer / Electronics Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Marine Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mining and Geological Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Petroleum Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Software Engineer
Engineer Salary
Engineers with a bachelor's Degree in the private sector can get anywhere near Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 as a starter and can go anywhere as high as Rs. 1,00,000 per month with experience and ability. But they are suitably 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 dependents (as LTC) above all the status attached with the Government sector posts.
