Welcome to college and the start of your engineering journey.
Goal: Achieve excellent placements, make parents proud, and overcome regrets of not getting preferred branch/college through internships and placements.
Importance of having goals and dreams for a successful outcome.
Current Problems in Engineering Colleges
Engineering colleges face several issues that students should be aware of.
Students often idealize problems quickly and struggle with proactive identification and solutions.
Limited Seats in Prestigious Colleges
Around 10 lakh students take JEE exams annually.
Limited seats in IITs (~17,000), NITs (~23,000), government-funded technical institutions (~8,000), and IIITs (~7,000).
Majority of students end up graduating from private colleges, often categorized as Tier 3 or Tier 4.
High and Increasing Fees
Government engineering college fees have been rising faster than inflation.
2023 fees: 2 - 2.5 lakh/year vs. less than 1 lakh/year in 2015.
Despite subsidies and opportunities provided in government colleges, fees are increasing.
Issues in Private Colleges
Private colleges charge high fees but often have poor curriculums and lack practical skills training.
Majority of professors pass theoretical knowledge, but practical skills necessary for jobs are not emphasized.
Students often resort to external coaching for semester exams and internships.
Lack of communication skills training within the colleges forces students to rely on external societies.
Necessity of a Bachelor's Degree in India
Graduation is necessary due to high competition; it's seen as essential for good jobs and marriage prospects.
Professional degrees like B.Tech are pursued over general degrees for better job opportunities, despite higher costs.
Curriculum and Teaching Quality
Many professors lack the enthusiasm or skills to effectively teach practical subjects.
Curriculum focuses on theoretical knowledge instead of practical application, especially in subjects like DSA, development, and machine learning.
This disconnect affects students' readiness for the job market.
Solutions for Students
Awareness
Being aware of the disparity between college education and job market expectations.
Preparedness and proactive learning can make a difference.
Recruiter Mindset
Understand recruiters' preferences for top talent at reasonable prices.
Top-tier colleges often get more attention, but hard work and preparation can help students from lower-tier colleges stand out.
Extra preparation outside of college curriculum is often necessary.
Utilizing College Time Effectively
College provides a dedicated time to focus on career goals.
Exposure to various fields within engineering and learning about job preparation.
Importance of maintaining a positive environment and choosing the right peers to influence your journey positively.
Resources and Further Guidance
Dedicated sessions available for engineering students to prepare for coding and tech placements.
Outline of what to study each year (1st-4th year) to align with tech placements in India.
Conclusion
Awareness of current issues and solutions will help students take necessary steps for their career journey.
Keep learning and exploring to achieve your goals.