Andhra Pradesh

Gear up for counselling

Nivedita Ganguly

It’s time to make the big choice for all those who took the EAMCET this year. But before that, the students have to go through the tumultuous process of decision-making. A good branch or a good college? This is a perennial dilemma plaguing the minds of the students who are standing at the crossroads of their career. Should one go for an average course in a good college or a good course in an average college? While experts stress that the aptitude and interest of students should be given topmost importance, there are a few things that should be kept in mind before making a choice.

Graduates from accredited institutes have an edge over others because of the all-round inputs they receive from the institution during the years of study. Accreditation is given branch-wise, based on the excellence in quality of education provided by the faculty of the branch. Hence it is advisable to consider the accredited status of a branch in an institution. Preferring a good institution may be a better choice because an institution is likely to make an impact on the overall development of a student. However, a student’s grasp and interest in the chosen subject, aptitude and a blend of analytical and soft skills add up to enhancing their value to the industry. Especially for information technology sector, many experts suggest that the key lies in the ability of the students to reinvent themselves as per the changing demands of the software industry.

It is also important to visit the institution before making a final choice. Experts say that the parameters to be taken into consideration before taking the admission are quality of the faculty, college infrastructure like availability of audio-video aid, laboratories and equipments, computer centre, well-equipped library, personality development programmes and organisation of seminars, games and sports.

No engineering stream of study outscores the other in terms of job prospects. It is the overall performance and command over the basic skills that ultimately help the students to reach their goals.

Merchant Navy

Today, the international shipping industry is responsible for the carriage of 90 per cent of the world trade, providing the lifeblood to the global economy. Based on international statistics, there is a considerable demand of trained marine officers. A career in marine engineering can be quite lucrative and adventurous. It is a non-conventional field of engineering as it consists of a multidisciplinary curriculum integrated with mechanical, electrical, electronics, refrigeration and air-conditioning engineering. Seafarers are employed by any shipping company around the world. Indian officers are in great demand in the international shipping industry because of their technical competence, communication skills and social behaviour.

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