Helping Engineering aspirants make the right choice
Several factors, such as personal interest, eligibility, parental influence, peer pressure, proximity, and cost, play a role in this crucial decision. A student may be passionate about a particular path but may not meet the eligibility criteria, such as required marks. In many cases, personal interests are set aside in favour of parental preferences—a trend more common in India than in many Western countries.
Choosing the right course, particularly in engineering and technology, and selecting the right institution is not easy. It requires careful consideration, self-awareness, and, often, compromise. Every decision comes with consequences, whether positive or negative.
Candidates applying for engineering admission will soon have to choose a discipline and an institution that they believe will help them gain knowledge, develop skills, and advance in their careers. Some universities have already released rank lists. For instance, the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 rank list, published on June 25, includes details such as candidates' overall and community ranks. Information about institutions and courses is widely available. Around 2.4 lakh candidates have been allotted ranks.
Candidates and their parents often want to know which courses are in demand and which top colleges offer them.
Choosing the right course
So, how should one choose the right course? A SWOT analysis—a strategic tool used to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—can be a valuable aid in the decision-making process. By identifying these elements, students can build on their strengths, address weaknesses, seize opportunities, and anticipate potential challenges.
Analysing one's strengths
Top in-demand disciplines include Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), consistently ranked as the most sought-after due to the booming IT sector, and Information Technology (IT), which takes a more application-oriented approach. Artificial Intelligence and Data Science is another rapidly growing field with significant future potential.
However, popular courses may not suit everyone. Many CSE graduates remain unemployed because they lack job-relevant skills. For instance, a student interested in software jobs should have strong programming, logical reasoning, and Mathematics skills. In contrast, those drawn to biotechnology may not need to excel in programming, though basic knowledge is still useful. Similarly, students passionate about mechanical or automobile engineering require a different skill set.
Candidates should ask themselves: What am I passionate about? Why does this course interest me? What are my academic strengths? Their responses should guide their course selection.
Analysing one's weaknesses and opportunities
Engineering courses demand a solid foundation in Mathematics, Physics, and core engineering principles. Students who struggle with these subjects should consider whether engineering is the right fit. Every year, many students drop out or fail to complete their degrees due to difficulty with Math-related subjects.
Students should examine external factors that can help them make informed choices. They should explore which branches have growing demand and better placement prospects. For instance, AI and Data Science are seen as promising career paths.
All courses have value; there is no such thing as a bad course. Every field—engineering, arts, or sciences—has its own achievers. Aspirants must ask themselves whether they truly wish to specialise in a field or are pursuing it merely for job security. While not everyone may get their first choice, what matters most is the determination to excel in whichever path they choose.
Threats
Engineering aspirants should avoid choosing a course solely based on its popularity. Instead, they must engage in honest self-assessment to determine whether their interests, passion, and aptitude align with their chosen field. It is also important to consider potential challenges and ask critical questions such as: Is the field already saturated with graduates? Could AI and automation pose a threat to job prospects in this branch? Am I prepared to cope with the academic demands and competitive environment?
Choosing the right institutions
It's not just the course but also the institution that matters. Aspirants and their parents are eager to identify colleges that support student success. However, online searches often yield conflicting rankings shaped by subjective opinions. Similarly, advice from acquaintances may vary. College websites may also contain exaggerated claims.
Public perception does not always reflect reality. A critical analysis may reveal a significant gap between what is believed and what exists. Recently, I received several queries about engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. Many parents are unsure whether to choose Institution A, B, or another option and are questioning the reliability of rankings.
So, what should one do when uncertain? Should they rely solely on what others say?
Although the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) evaluates colleges on several parameters—including Teaching, Research, Graduate Outcomes, and Perception—many still focus on tangible aspects like infrastructure, teaching quality, training, and placement. One of the most frequently asked questions is: 'Does the college have a good placement record?'
It is advisable for candidates to visit campuses and gather information from multiple sources. After all, seeing is believing.
(The writer is an education columnist. He can be reached at rayanal@yahoo.co.uk)
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