“Learn without worrying about its applicability”
ENGINEERING MIGHT BE THE MOST COVETED DEGREE, BUT IT REQUIRES A LOT OF HARD WORK, READINESS TO LEARN AND A DESIRE TO INNOVATE
Engineering has the biggest job market with the information technology sector being the biggest employer. There are specialisations in engineering, the circuit branches, such as computer science (CS), electronics and communications engineering (ECE), electrical engineering (EE), and mechanical engineering (ME), which are always in demand.
Do IITs often look at changing their curriculum?
Yes. The IITs revise the curricula regularly to keep pace with the changing times. Apart from major decadal revamps, new courses are introduced every semester as new areas emerge. Two recent examples are artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing.
What’s most in demand at IIT Madras?
As with all IITs, computer science and electrical engineering are the most popular courses at IIT Madras. It is primarily because of the perception that the highest-paying jobs and the most exciting developments are happening in these fields.
Do soft skills make good engineers?
Soft skills are needed by all and not only those training to be engineers. In the past, one learnt these in their extended home and social environment. How to deal with people, how to work as a team, how to get the best out of everyone, how to express oneself so as to be clearly understood. and in particular, not be misunderstood, are the skills that make a huge difference.
What are the top trends in the space of engineering studies?
As automation increases, routine jobs will begin to disappear in all fields, including engineering. Those who can use their knowledge and experience to address new situations, problems, and challenges will be highly sought. Knowledge of fundamentals and how to apply them to address a problem will be much more important than mere knowledge of information. Artificial intelligence techniques will be an important aid in this process.
Is research and development key while studying for engineering?
While studying for a degree, courses taught by the faculty who also carry out research and development, are generally superior to those taught by teachers who are not doing this. Students can also explore whether they are cut out for research by taking up small projects under the supervision of such faculty. At IIT Madras, the faculty is engaged in serious research, and it is safe to assume that state-of-the-art research is being carried out in all topics taught.
Can you give some advice to those aspiring to be engineers?
This tip is not unique to engineering but for every other stream. The years from 18 to 25 are the best learning years. Throw yourself wholeheartedly into whatever you are learning without worrying about its applicability. The most important learning will be the ability to learn during one’s entire lifetime.