5 things to consider before starting an Engineering course

⦁ Do you have the aptitude for Engineering?

Do you have the aptitude for Engineering? Are you really passionate about Engineering? Or is it something you are considering just because your friends are considering it too. Engineering is one of the toughest courses out there and you will have to work and study a lot to finish those assignments and crack those exams. If you are a party animal or generally lazy, this scene is not for you. Engineers, no matter what their choice of discipline, end up doing a lot of computations and calculations as part of their profession. If Mathematics, Statistics, and Probability are not your forte, it would be better to consider something else. But, if you are willing to put in the hard work, this is one of the best professional courses you can choose.

⦁ Are you eligible for joining the course? 

The following is the eligibility for joining BTech

⦁ Minimum 50% marks in pre-university or Plus-two course with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics as main subjects.

⦁ Qualify national or state entrance examination or the entrance examination of the institution you wish to join.

The minimum marks can vary according to the category of the student. The national entrance examination is JEE Main. In 2018, over 11 lakh aspirants appeared for JEE Main examination. The competition is very tough. You need a lot of practice to crack this examination. Some states have entrance examinations to grant admission to state universities. For example, 85% of the seats in colleges in the state of Maharashtra are allotted based on MHT CET 2019 which is the state entrance examination for degree courses in Engineering and Pharmacy.

⦁ How good is the university you are joining? 

Next important thing to consider is the reputation of the institution you are planning to join. You need to take a good look at the subjects and electives offered and see if it fits what you are looking for. Check the accreditation of the college to understand the quality of education they provide. Check out the infrastructure of the college, the laboratories and other amenities available in the campus. Another important thing to check the placement record of the college. The placement opportunities depend upon the reputation of the college. Check out some Engineering colleges in Jharkhand that have great programmes and impressive placement track records.

⦁ Is it financially viable?

Bachelor of Technology is a four-year course with 8 semesters. The fee structure varies from college to college. Education from a private college costs much higher than government college. Engineering is a financially taxing course and many students take student loans to cover the college fees. Most colleges provide merit-based scholarships to students. Some colleges provide need-based financial aid to its students. You need to think long and hard if your financial situation is good enough to coast through four years of engineering.

⦁ What are the career prospects? 

You need to have a clear picture about the career you are hoping to have after university. Is the course you have chosen for is relevant to your dream career? The best way to go about it is to seek career guidance from people who have taken the same course preferably from the same college you are hoping to join. Understand their career progression and the hurdles they had to face during their studies as well as their career. This will help you to understand what you are up against and whether you are ready to take up this stream of study.