How to Become an Engineer?

Engineers are quite vital to the development and progress of any nation. In fact, engineers are the ones who bridge the gap between art and science by bringing to life innovative and well-designed infrastructures, machinery, and equipment that greatly help in building the nation. The roads you walk on, the bridges you cross, the buildings you live in, are all carefully planned and designed by engineers. If you are quite interested in innovation, wish to build your logical and critical thinking, and want to contribute to nation-building, then you can definitely go for the engineering field. Here’s all you must know about how to become an engineer, types of engineering jobs, courses, universities, and scope!

Check Out: Tips to Clear Backlogs in Engineering

What does an Engineer do?

An engineer uses a combination of science, technology, and maths to solve complex problems. They are responsible for inventing, designing, and maintaining a variety of infrastructure, machinery, and data systems. Engineers pursue new scientific discoveries and find practical uses for them on a day-to-day basis. They are also highly involved in the process of testing, production, and maintenance of new products and extensively use computers to produce and design new structures and machinery. Engineers are quite adept in numerous areas and they can work in many fields right from construction to the complex maps of the human genome.

The most common types of Engineers are:

• Mechanical Engineers
• Chemical Engineers
• Electrical/Electronic Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Computer Engineers
• Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineers
• Environmental Engineers
• Geotechnical Engineers
• Architectural Engineers
• Biomedical Engineers
• Agricultural Engineers
• Industrial Engineers

Types Of Engineering 

Engineering is a very broad field. It has numerous areas with multiple opportunities. As a matter of fact, there are as many as almost 200 subtypes of engineering, which is a great opportunity for the students, since they can choose from a wide variety of specializations and earn a degree in that area. Here are the most popular Engineering branches in the world:

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers are the ones who use concrete, stone, steel, and bricks to construct and maintain both private and public infrastructures such as roads, dams, canals, bridges, sewage systems, and pipelines. Also, it is a field that concentrates on natural processes such as water, soil, and air, otherwise known as hydraulics and geotechnics. Civil engineers are important in the construction field.

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Electrical engineering is concerned with the generation and supply of electricity. They mainly deal with computers, electronic appliances, and circuitry. Electrical engineers are quite relevant in the power industry and work with many IT and telecom companies for the implementation of principles and applications within the control systems, signal processing, and electric power control.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is the oldest branch of engineering which mainly deals with the invention, development, and maintenance of machinery and mechanical systems. It is prominent in the field of robotics, aeronautics, and biomechanics. Mechanical engineers are mostly found in the manufacturing sector, wherein they are involved in the production of weapons, cars, ships, and domestic appliances.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is an area that deals with combining engineering principles with chemistry, physics, and biology. They also deal with the study of operations and designing of chemical plants and conversion of raw material for commercial purposes. Generally, chemical engineers work in laboratories and develop new substances with the help of careful experiments and mathematical models. Chemical engineers are quite popular in high-tech industries such as oil refining and biomolecule production.

Computer Engineering 

Computer engineering involves designing, creating, programming, and maintenance of computers, including their hardware and software. It combines electrical engineering with computer science. The two main specialties under computer engineering are Computer Hardware and Computer Software Engineering. Computer engineers are highly sought-after in the fields of science and technology.

Aerospace Engineering/Aeronautical Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with designing, development, construction, testing, and the science of flight-capable machines such as aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineers are also responsible for designing, testing, and analyzing commercial and military aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. They mainly specialize in the fields of science and technology, space exploration, and the military.

How to Become an Engineer?

Now that you know what an engineer does as well as types of engineering specializations, here’s a career map for you on how to become an engineer:

Pick the Engineering Branch of Your Interest

As mentioned earlier, there are numerous fields of engineering and each of them has its own distinct advantages and opportunities. Therefore it becomes important to identify your desired field which may be civil engineering or automotive engineering. Choose a field which you are quite interested in and has many job prospects. Also, make sure you choose a field that lets you earn a decent income.

Choose the Right Program

Engineering is filled with a varied array of degrees, certificates, polytechnic, associate as well as diploma courses. If you want to become an engineer after the 10th, it’s better to opt for a diploma or polytechnic course or you can choose the science stream with BiPC subjects. Moreover, to become an engineer after 12th, you will have to opt for any of the following types of engineering degrees:

• Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Master of Technology (MTech)
• Master of Engineering (ME)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Select the Right University

There are many colleges around the world that offer certain branches of engineering. Many of them also include diplomas, Ph.D. programs, Btech and Mtech programs, BE and ME programs, MSc and BSc programs in various specializations. Hence, It is vital that you carefully choose a university/college that teaches your desired specialization and programs. Also, due to intense competition, it is difficult to get into the most prestigious engineering colleges, hence it is always better to prepare for the entrance exams thoroughly and have a strong application letter.

Here are the Best Engineering Colleges in the World!

Find Programs Abroad

Engineers are in great demand in many developing countries. If you have studied for your bachelor’s degree in India, you can always opt for a master’s program abroad to obtain an international qualification. The top countries for Engineering are the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, amongst others, and all these offer world-class engineering programs with numerous scholarships as well as funding opportunities. Read this blog to know more about the best countries for Engineering courses!

Internships

Internships are a great way to learn skills and gain some practical exposure. Since engineering is a very practical field that requires experience, it may be good for you to take up an internship with well-reputed companies. It would be a great addition to your resume and gives you a bigger chance of being selected for any jobs that you pursue in the future. Internships in the engineering fields can provide a brilliant opportunity to take up on-field projects and gain experience. Here are some international internships for you!

Work Shadowing Projects 

Work shadowing or job shadowing simply involves observing a professional in their specialized field in order to gain a better understanding of the job role. Students can contact reputed companies or the HR teams of these companies and inquire about shadowing opportunities. Job shadowing allows you to understand the job role and purpose better and gives you a better grasp of the day-to-day working of an engineer.

Apply For Suitable Jobs

The next step is to apply for jobs with reputed firms and companies. Sometimes, your internships can also be converted to full-time jobs with a good salary package if the company is happy with your performance. However, if you’re applying independently or through campus interviews, then make sure your resume is updated and mentions all your skills and experiences. Sometimes, it may be hard to gain a job or even an interview with well-known firms. In such cases, you can always begin your career as an engineer in smaller firms and work your way to the top. Sooner or later, you will get recognized for your work and get excellent offers from reputed companies.

How to Become an Engineer in India?

When it comes to undergraduate engineering courses in India, there are two basic options. They’re –

• Diploma in Engineering – The Diploma in Engineering is a three-year program. After completing 10th grade from a recognized board, a diploma course can be pursued. After completing the 12th standard, this course can be followed (Science stream- Mathematics group). In a nutshell, the minimal educational need is a 10th passed.
• Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology (B.E. or B.Tech.) – A four-year B.E. or B.Tech. program is required. After completing the 12th standard, this course can be followed (Science stream- Mathematics group). In short, a 12th-grade diploma with Science subjects is the minimal need.

Skills Required

Becoming an engineer is certainly not an easy task. It requires you to be skilled in many areas such as numbers, logical thinking, and critical thinking. Given below are a few skills that are required to be a successful engineer:

• Technical Skills
• Communication
• Leadership
• Critical Reasoning
• Problem Solving
• Creativity
• Innovation
• Attention To detail
• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Pressure Management
• Commitment

Top Engineering Universities in India & Abroad

After exploring the various fields of engineering and the skills required to be a successful engineer, we can now explore the prestigious colleges that offer engineering courses. Applying to a prestigious college can do wonders for both your career and your future. Below you can find the top universities for engineering, in India and abroad.

Top Engineering Colleges in India

University	City	NIRF Ranking 2021
Indian Institute of Technology	Chennai	1
Indian Institute of Technology	Delhi	2
Indian Institute of Technology	Mumbai	3
Indian Institute of Technology	Kanpur	4
Indian Institute of Technology	Kharagpur	5
Indian Institute of Technology	Roorkee	6
Indian Institute of Technology	Guwahati	7
Indian Institute of Technology	Hyderabad	8
Anna University	Chennai	14
National Institute of Technology	Tiruchirapalli	9
Indian Institute of Technology	Varanasi	11
Institute of Chemical Technology	Mumbai	18

Top Engineering Colleges in the World 2022

College	THE World University rankings
Harvard University, US	1
Stanford University, US	2
University of California, Berkeley, US	3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US	4
University of Cambridge, UK	5
University of Oxford, UK	6
Princeton University, US	7
California Institute of Technology, US	8

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Salary

Engineers have a scope to earn a lot, given its wide range and demand. The salary may vary from one field to another and it also depends on your job profile and position. An entry-level engineer can earn between INR 186K and 460K per year, and it may increase when you gain more experience and expertise. As of now, petroleum engineering, computer engineering, and aerospace engineering are the ones with the highest pay package in India.

FAQs

Thus, we hope that you are familiar with the career map of how to become an engineer. Unsure about picking the best engineering course or university? Sign up for a free counseling session with our Leverage Edu experts and we will help you find the best course and university to make a successful career in this field.