Career In Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering : Introduction
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. Electrical engineering, an amalgamation of  what is now called electrical, electronics and communication, instrumentation, computer engineering etc. is the largest of all engineering disciplines. Four well recognised branches of electrical engineering are power, communications, electronics and control systems. In a broader sense, this field covers a range of sub-disciplines including those that deal with power, optoelectronics, digital electronics, analogue electronics, artificial intelligence, control systems, electronics, signal processing and telecommunications. Overlapping of this field with computer has opened up the door to a career in almost any industry.

 The field of Electrical engineering involves transmission and generation of electrical power, electrical circuit design, electronics, instrumentation, control system, understanding electrical and electronic networks etc. Electrical engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power generation and transmission and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits. It includes the design and building of electronic circuits based on the flow of charge through different materials. Alternatively, electrical engineers are usually concerned with using electricity to transmit energy, while electronic engineers are concerned with using electricity to transmit information. 
Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the study of diverse utilization of electricity and equipments that generate and distribute power. This is divided into heavy current (electrical machinery; generating stations and distribution systems) and light current (telecommunications, radar, computers etc.). Conventional areas like generation, allocation, distribution and transmission of electricity come under the purview of electrical engineering. The broad field of electrical engineering involves working with all manners of electronic devices, from pocket calculators to supercomputers. In this area, the engineers' task involves generating, distributing and using electrical power in the fields of communication, control system, electronic computer, industrial electronics and instrumentation etc.

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, research new and innovative designs and system, supervise and plan manufacturing process of high end electrical systems. This role provides a number of challenges ranging from problem identification and the selection of appropriate technical solutions, materials, test equipment and procedures, to the manufacture and production of safe, economical, high-performance products and services. 
Electrical engineers work to combine technology with creativity, taking ideas and turning them into reality. In fact, electrical engineers are involved in the practical application of electrical energy.
Electricity has become the basic need for survival. From household to industrial plants, communication and satellite navigation system, electronic equipment, computers etc., all require electricity. Hence electrical engineering which deals with study and application of electrical systems is widely applicable in each and every aspect of our daily life. Virtually every industry utilizes electrical engineers, so employment opportunities are extensive.


Electrical Engineering : Job Prospects & Career Options

Scope in electrical engineering lie in the areas of generating electricity, its distribution and transmission. As everything from house to industry requires electricity to function, there are tremendous career prospects in this field in India as well as in other developed countries across the world. Globalisation has also created huge demand for technically qualified engineers to keep pace with growing industrial needs. In short electrical engineering has a wide scope of applicability and it varies depending upon different needs.

Different types of employers offer jobs to electrical engineers. Employers range from computer-technology corporations and chemical companies to power and telephone companies. Both small and large companies in the private sector and the government sector offer placement for electrical engineers. Electrical engineers can find employment in Electrical equipment and systems manufacturing companies, Power generation and transmission, Telecommunication, Railways, IT industry, Health care equipment manufacturing industry, public sector industries like petroleum, steel and chemical industry, Research and design etc.
Electrical graduates are employed in Electricity Boards/Utility companies and large industries as engineers and managers, responsible for installation, maintenance, operation of power handling equipments and systems. Industries manufacturing large electrical machines and equipments employ engineers in design, production and testing. Electrical engineers also find employment in atomic power plants, hydroelectric power plants as well as thermal power plants. Many electrical engineering graduates opt for careers in the food, pulp and paper, chemical, aircraft and automobile industries.
Educational Institutions and Research establishments recruit electrical engineers as faculty and scientists. One can also do research work in this field by joining research labs and institutes. Teaching career is also rewarding. They can join an engineering college/university as a full time or part time lecturer/professor. They can also enter into self employment by starting own ventures.
As an Electrical Engineer, entry for junior posts in the Government departments is by direct recruitment through advertisements in newspapers. Selection to Gazetted posts is through  competitive examinations conducted by Union and State Public Service Commission. UPSC conducts an Engineering Service Examination annually for vacancies in Central Engineering Services and various State Public Service commissions conduct their own competitive Exams for vacancies in State engineering services.
Young engineers have chances in the Defence Services also. For selection into the Defence Services- Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, applications are invited through National dailies and Employment News.


Electrical Engineering : Remuneration & salary

Pay scale of an electrical engineer depends on experience, higher qualification and capabilities. Fresh graduates from elite technological institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Birla Institute of Technology get more remuneration as compared to others. 
The average starting monthly salary of electrical engineering graduates in India ranges between Rs. 25,000 – Rs.50,000. Whereas those with M.Tech can expect much more. Senior electrical engineers with more than five years of working experience can earn between Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 100,000 per month. The pay-package in foreign countries is much higher as compared to India.


Electrical Engineering : Institutes
Indian institute of Technology (IIT's) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur etc are the most prestigious Engineering institutions in India. Other main Engineering colleges include Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi), Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi, University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh etc and the various Regional engineering colleges in different states.

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Career In Electronics Engineering

Electronics Engineering : Introduction

Electronics Engineering is one of the largest and fastest growing field of engineering. It covers a wide range of applications which make our life easier and enjoyable such as Television, Radio, computers, telecommunication etc. They helps us to see, hear and communicate over vast distances and do things faster.  Electronics has a major role in improving productivity in industries like oil, energy, agriculture and so many other important sectors of economy. In steel, petroleum and chemical industries it is the electronic devices that direct, control and test production processes. Health care industry depend on electronic instruments to perform chemical tests and to check body functions. The safety in transportation, factories and mines and in homes rely heavily on electronics.


An Electronics engineer must find new solutions to the practical problems affecting our daily lives. An electronics engineer will work in team with other specialists to design, fabricate,  produce, test and supervise the manufacture of complex products and systems i.e electronic equipments and components for a number of industries including hospitals, computer industry, electronic data processing systems for communication and in defense etc. They supervise production and manufacturing processes and oversee installation and maintenance. Electronics engineers work with devices that use extremely small amounts of power. They work with microprocessors, fibre optics, and in telecommunication, television, radio etc. 
Electronics engineering is a constantly changing and widening branch of the engineering profession. Electronics industry being a labour intensive industry provides many job opportunities for the skilled job seekers. Increased production and demand by government and businesses for communication equipment, computers and military electronics along with consumer demand and increased research and development on robots and other types of automation contributes to the growth of employment opportunities in the field. Candidates having a creative and inventive mind and also are good at physics and mathematics will probably find electronics engineering a  challenging and lucrative career.

Electronics Engineering : Job Prospects & Career Options

Job Prospectus:

An electronics engineer can get a job in Central Government, State Governments and their sponsored corporations in public enterprises and the private organizations like All India Radio, Indian Telephone Industries, MTNL, National Physical Laboratories, AIR, Civil Aviation Department; Post and Telegraph Department; Co-ordination Department, National Physical Laboratory, Bharat Electronics Limited, Development Centers in various States etc.  dealing in manufacture, sales and services of electronics consumer goods and appliances. Electronics engineers are also absorbed into the entertainment transmission industry, research establishments, and defense. They can also take up teaching and research in one of the many engineering colleges in India or abroad.

Career Options :

As an Electronic Engineer, entry for junior posts in the Government departments is by direct recruitment through advertisements in newspapers.  Selection to Gazetted posts is through the competitive examinations conducted by Union and State Public Service Commission. UPSC conducts an Engineering Service Examination (Telecommunication and Electronics Engineering group) annually for vacancies in Central Engineering Services and various State Public Service commissions conduct their own competitive Exams for vacancies in State engineering services.

In the Defence Services, young engineers start as Second Lieutenants. For selection into the Defence Services- Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, applications are invited through National dailies and Employment News. 

Similarly vacancies in the private and public sector are advertised through leading daily newspapers of the country and the Employment News. Mostly the candidates are interviewed after thorough scrutiny of their basic inputs and the selections are made on merit. Central Electronics Ltd., Indian Railways, Atomic Energy Commission, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General Posts and Telegraphs Departments etc are some of the prospective employers in the field. 

Electronic Engineers can start their own business  by manufacture electronic parts, goods and components. He can also start a repair or assembly shop for television receivers, amplifiers, recording equipment etc. Since electronics is a labour intensive and talent -oriented field, it gives high returns for a given initial investment. Loan facilities are offered by banks and Small Scale Industries Development Corporations for starting a business.

Electronics Engineering : Remuneration & salary

Earnings of an electronic engineer vary with market demand and among organisations. Working experience, qualifications, ability are important factors in determining the pay level. In India, a bachelor's degree candidate in electronics engineering can receive a starting salary of Rs.17500 up to Rs 35,000 approximately with 1-2 years experience

Electronics Engineering : Institutes Indian institute of Technology (IIT's) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur etc are the most prestigious Engineering institutions in India.  Other main Engineering colleges include Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi), Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi, University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh etc and the various Regional engineering colleges in different states.

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Career In Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering : Introduction

Over the years with the great expansion of scientific knowledge, the basis of applying science particularly chemistry to develop technology has increased tremendously. This has lead to the development of the profession of chemical Engineering.

 Chemical Engineering involves the design and maintenance of chemical plants and the development of chemical processes for converting raw materials or chemicals into valuable forms including those to remove chemicals from waste materials, to enable large-scale manufacture. It combines knowledge of Chemistry and Engineering for the production of chemicals and related by-products. This branch of engineering is a varied field, covering areas from biotechnology and nanotechnology to mineral processing. It covers various fields of chemical technology in mineral based industries, petrochemical plants, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres, petroleum refining plants etc. Chemical engineers design and operate chemical plants and improve methods of production.
Chemical Engineering is the apt career for those who have an aptitude and interest to work with chemicals. However Chemical Engineering is different from chemical technology. The former is concerned with the designing, supervision, construction, installation and operation of plants and equipments for manufacturing chemical products and developing new methods of production while the latter deals with the actual production of substances with new properties which require new methods of production in the fields of petroleum refining, fertilizer technology, processing of food and agricultural products, paints and dyes; recycling metals, glass and plastics; cosmetics, mineral based industries and prevention and control of environmental hazards. 
The work of Chemical Engineers, the most versatile of all engineers, involve the invention, development, design, operation and management of processes in industries. So they combine the work of several fields such as those of chemists, industrial engineers, materials engineers as well as electrical engineers. Chemical engineers are responsible for the availability of modern high-quality materials that are essential for running an industrial economy. They design equipments and operate chemical plants as well as determine the problems and find the best methods of production.
The scope for chemical engineers is tend to grow in future due to industrial expansion and the related scarcity of resources needed. They may be demand as they work to create synthetic replacements for those natural materials and resources that are in short supply. Overall chemical engineers could make very important contributions for the improvement and maintenance of the quality of life.

Chemical Engineering : Job Prospects & Career Options Since Chemical engineering is a vast field, the job prospectus and career options of a chemical engineer is varied and different. Chemical engineers play a key role in industries, mostly in the manufacturing field. Their work area varies from petroleum and petrochemicals to food, materials, specialty chemicals, plastics, power production, environmental control, waste management and biotechnology.  As it is a varied field Chemical engineers could specialise in a particular chemical processess such as oxidation or polymerisation or in a specific product such as plastic or rubber. Besides designing equipments and plants, testing manufacturing processes and supervising production; they also study the properties and effects of dangerous chemicals, device process of neutralising them and also on the development acceptable substitutes. As such their work can be dangerous.  Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as processing, operations or manufacturing, research and development, design and construction, finance and teaching. They may also pursue a management degree after B.Tech and take on marketing jobs. Candidates with an additional management degree are sought by private industries. In process industries they could work in positions such as a supervisor or manager, technical specialist, project manager or project engineers. Among the manufacturing industries, pharmaceuticals provide the best opportunities for chemical engineers. In the government sector, chemical engineers are employed to solve environmental problems such as waste and water treatment, environmental regulations and recycling; on energy sector such as energy conservation and research on alternate energy sources and health-related research projects, defense establishments and atomic power plants. They are also employed in service industries such as scientific research and development services, particularly in energy and the developing fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Other work areas of chemical engineers include food processing, coal preparation and mineral processing, explosives manufacturing, chemical process industries such as fertiliser industry, including pesticides and herbicides, caustic soda, glass and specialty chemicals, dyes and dyestuff, paint, lubricants, steel and aluminum production. They are also employed in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing electronics, photographic equipment, clothing, pulp and paper and even in the development of aircrafts


Chemical Engineering : Remuneration & salary

Due to rapid industrialisation, chemical engineers have gained a position among the top money makers. The earnings depend on the industries employing chemical 

engineers such as Central or State government departments or private concerns. Working experience, qualifications, ability are important factors in determining the pay level. Those who are working in the private sector are well paid. Fresher's can get a starting salary of Rs 29,000 to Rs 53,000 per month excluding other allowances. In the government sector, the salary range of diploma holders is Rs 27,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. Lecturers in colleges get a starting salary of Rs 25,000-Rs 30000 a month. With more experience or as an established independent consultant one could earn more. Senior engineers can earn anywhere in between Rs 60,000 and Rs 100,000 a month.

Chemical Engineering : Institutes

IIT's  or Indian institute of Technology in New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur are the most prestigious Engineering institutions in India.  Other main Engineering colleges include Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi.), Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.,UICET,Panjab University,Mumbai University, University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh etc and the various NIT's (Formerly Regional engineering colleges) in different states.

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Career In Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering : Introduction

Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineering is one of the most challenging fields of engineering with a wide scope for growth. This field deals with the development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defence systems. It specialises in the designing, construction, development, testing, operation and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft, spacecrafts and their components as well as satellites and missiles.

As Aerospace engineering involves design and manufacture of very high technology systems, the job requires manual, technical as well as mechanical aptitude. Aeronautical engineer's usually work in teams under the  supervision of senior engineers, bringing together their skills and technical expertise. Though highly paid, the work is very demanding. An aeronautical engineer needs to be physically fit and fully dedicated to his work. One needs to be alert, have an eye for detail and should have a high level of mathematical precision to be successful.

The specialisations includes in areas like structural design, navigational guidance and control systems, instrumentation and communication or production methods or it can be in a particular product such as military aircrafts, passenger planes, helicopters, satellites, rockets etc. Engineers may work in areas like design, development, maintenance as well as in the managerial and teaching posts in institutes. They find a very good demand in airlines, aircraft manufacturing units, air turbine production plants or design development programmes for the aviation industry. Aerospace environment is sophisticated with rewarding career opportunities involving leading-edge technology.

Aeronautical Engineering : Job Prospects & Career Options

Aeronautical Engineers work with one of the most technologically advanced branches of engineering. The main thrust in this area is on design and development of aircrafts to space and satellite research. Jobs are available with the national, international, public and private Airline Services as well as aircraft-manufacturing units. 

Job opportunities for an Aeronautical Engineer in India, lies with various airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines,  Helicopter Corporation of India and flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service and aircraft manufacturers like the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) with its factories at Bangalore, Nashik, Koraput, Kanpur etc. Defense Research and Development Laboratories, National Aeronautical Lab (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment, Civil Aviation Department etc. The Defence services and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also happen to be two major employers.  

Initially, candidates begin work as graduate engineer trainees or junior Engineers. Keeping in view their performance, academic background and aptitude, they are placed for training in the aircraft maintenance/overhaul or support section. On completion of training they are placed as assistant aircraft engineers or assistant technical officers. They have to clear departmental examinations for further promotions.  They may advance to administrative or executive positions or become consultants. Aeronautical engineers are assisted by aircraft mechanics in maintenance of aircraft frame, engine, electrical system and other ancillary fittings.

Aeronautical Engineering : Remuneration & salary

  Engineers in government organisations, are paid official scales while those in the private sector are paid according to the scales decided by the management of the company. 

The approximate starting salaries in the government /public sectors such as HAL, NAL are Rs. 20,000 to Rs.30,000 (excluding other allowances). In the private sector, the scales are decided by the management of the company and are approximately Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 per month plus perks. Engineering graduates with management degrees get a starting salary of Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 per month plus perks. Entrepreneurs can earn above Rs.30,000/- per month. Airline professionals get fringe benefits of free travel for self and family also, apart from numerous other perks.

Aeronautical Engineering : Institutes

Aeronautical Engineering is offered by the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur and Kharagpur and also by the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. The Madras Institute of Technology offers a three year Graduate Programme in Aeronautical Engineering for B Sc students, subject to their having passed Maths and Physics at the graduation stage. The Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Bangalore has M Tech and Ph D programmes in Aeronautics.

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