Five mantras to begin your career on a positive note

The first career opportunity is an important landmark in a career of a professional and initial months are very crucial. Your first impression leaves a long lasting impression on your manager. Below given are the five important ways to start your career on a good note:

Be a good listener

One of the most important things in one’s professional life is to be a good listener. You must listen and examine carefully before advising any changes. This works not only at your workplace but also in your personal life. A new joinee suggesting better ways for improvement is generally not taken seriously and might face negative reactions.

Be an optimist

One must have a positive attitude towards work. You should be motivated enough to distinguish yourself from other team members. As a fresher you should always be ready to take up new challenges and learn new things. No job is menial, it’s your attitude how you perceive it.

Take initiatives

Freshers are generally given small assignments in the initial weeks, but they are expected to take initiatives gradually and seek bigger roles and challenging tasks. Professionals should define targets for themselves and should assess after every 6 months. One should be a self starter and a volunteer to help other team members.

 Do not be a gossip monger

Do not indulge in gossiping though it can help you to know important things about your office and your colleagues. But it is advisable not to contribute to the grapevine.

Keep your manager informed

Freshers should discuss their problems and feedback with their managers regularly. Regular meetings with your manager help in building a good rapport and relationship. Performance review meetings help you to know your shortcomings and work on them. But do not approach your boss for small problems, instead ask your colleagues to help you.

Thus a fresher should keep all these points in mind in the initial months of the first job as these can pave the roadmap to a successful career in future.

Source: Economic Times

Internship - First Step towards Career

By T.V. Devi PrasadPlacement Manager, IIIT, Hyderabad. Internship: A Symbiotic benefit Internship is a process of acquiring employable strengths by a student, which is benefited symbiotically for both academia and industry. During this metamorphosis stage, student will get a chance to prove his/her talent and will be privileged to work with other professionals and stalwarts in a corporate. During this period, he/she will acquire the qualities like adopting to the new system/environment, which is not experienced at his/her academia during his/her studies. Students also would get a chance to work in desired technologies, which will also expose them to get expertise in the field. Besides, the intern will also get a chance to work with subject experts at various verticals and understanding their hierarchy and coordination among them. This will give them an "eagle's view" about project operation. Majority of the Global top notches like Google, Microsoft R&D, Informatica, Altair Engineering, Computer Associates, GE health Care Technology, Synopsys, Mc.Afee and Motorola are encouraging good talent pool to work with their organizations as "Interns". Normally these organizations visit during penultimate semester or even take the students after completion of the engineering course. So, students should never look into the lucrative package but concentrate on the brand of the corporate, topic, area and demand of the technology in the market and employment conversion. These are the major factors to be studied carefully before accepting the internship. Even some companies do not surely offer "Employment conversion" even in that case, a previous experience in a corporate as "intern" will be of great advantage for getting full time employment in other corporates. Some corporates are more inclined to encourage the interns for full time employment, since they are polished and refined products. Types of Internships: Broadly Internships can be divided into two types namely Internship without employment and Internship with Employment. Normally medium size corporates offer ’5,000 to 8,000/- , whereas Higher scale organizations offer ’10,000/- to 20,000/- as stipend for Interns, It also varies for PG and UG students. Most of the Multi National Companies are showing interest to take the students as Interns with employment conversion. Unless, there is no requirement, they will not lose the good trained hands. Some corporates are allowing final year engineering students to do short time project works for 3 to 6 weeks for which they do not pay stipend, but issue certificate for the work, he/she did in the project. This certificate will be of great value during their campus placements and other off campus drives. Some of the corporates will make it very clear that, they would not give any surety of employment after internship. But the technology, in which the students excel, will be a "golden brick for construction of their career" in some other corporate. The same technology, that he/she learnt during internship can be showcased during interviews for full time employment. Though the stipend may not be that lucrative during internship, but once he/she is absorbed as Full time employment, sky is the limit for his/her growth in various dimensions. Branches- Internship in Corporates: Civil and Mechanical Engineering:In infra industry good number of corporates are showing interest to encourage the engineering folks as interns. Not only on site jobs, but also Computer Aided Design ( CAD) is the best choice to start their career as intern. Working in reputed organizations like Gamon India, Sew Infrastructure, IVRCL and JMC they will have an all round exposure in various technologies. Whereas students from Mechanical and Production Engineering will have a good scope in L&T group, Essar Steels, Mahindra and Mahindra, Jhon Deers, Infotech Enterprises,Ashok Leyland for doing internship. Particularly, Machine design, Automobile Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Simulation, CAD/CAM, Industrial Management will be the best areas for doing internship. ECE/EEE:Communication Engineering is an ever green field, where good number of corporates offer internship in various technologies. ECIL, NTPC,BDL,Texas Instruments, Semiconductor organizations like Vacose Chip Semiconductors, Cyprus Semiconductors,Mentor Graphics, Moschip Semiconductors etc., offer internship for students. BHEL ,BDL are good choices for EEE students to do the internship. Broadly, they will be allowed to do internship in various areas like Embedded Systems, Micro Controls, Networking, DSP Processors, Analog and Digital IC Designs, Power Electronics are the ever green fields for doing internship. In general, for EEE students Hydrolic and Thermal Electric Machine Maintanence, Power Electronics and Utilizations are the best areas for building their career. CSE/IT:During 2008 to 2009, the global market was drastically affected with recession, but now the market is sending good signs of bright future for IT professionals in the years to come. The global reputes viz: Google, Yahoo, DE Shaw, AMAZON, Nvidia, are encouraging talent pool for doing internship in the areas viz: Machine learning, Language Technologies, Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence etc., Right Approach to the Corporates: Normally corporates show interest to conduct Internship selections either on or off campus. Otherwise, individual students also can approach the corporate through Alumni, some other referrals, Training and Placement Officer etc. Interested students approach the Human Resources/ Head of Operations/Talent Acquisition/Staffing Head to know more about the prospects for internship. Most of the times, Alumni is one of the best source to know more about the prospects for internship in their organizations. Nowadays many social networking groups like orkut, face book, are available through which you can find out reliable information. Documents to be carried before approaching a corporate for Internship:   Latest Updated Resume Concerned HOD's permission letter for allowing to do internship Principal's Approval letter Letter from Training and Placement Officer Recommendation letter: In case you are approaching through alumni or some referral employee of the organization or Faculty or Scientists or TPO it is essential to carry a recommendation letter. Offer letter: In case, you get selected through campus drive either on/off campus, carry the initial offer letter with you along with TOPs recommendation letter, while meeting the Head of HR/ Techincal Head. Concerned Faculty details should be conveyed to the team. Commandments for Intern: When students get an opportunity to work as intern they should do the following home work:  Enquire the areas/ topic in which he/she does the internship Duration of Internship. Scope for R&D. Employment conversion. Duration, stipend during internship and after employment conversion. Researchers/Scientists/Faculty worked on the technology, in which he/she does the internship Approach to the corporate through campus recruitment (Placement Officer) /faculty/some other Corporate referrals. Once selection is done he/she should contact Team lead /HR /Talent Acquisitions /Staffing Head of the corporate for getting clarity on Internship and its terms and conditions. Once the selection is done, in case students need to get the "credits" in order to get the degree as a part of curriculum he/she should involve his/her faculty and introduce him/her to the concerned team lead. Student should act like a (conduit)? point between faculty and team lead of corporate for clarity of his/her work.

Career In Computer Science Engineering/ IT

Introduction

Career in IT is considered one of the most high-paying jobs and is full of opportunities; particularly when India’s prowess in information technology industry is recognized across the globe. The pool of talented computer engineers working in IT companies of the USA and Canada shows that IT can take a person to higher levels. Numerous IT companies from India employ huge number of computer professionals in their Indian and overseas offices.

Step-by-Step

A BTech or BCA/MCA can become an IT engineer. And a person requires +2 with mathematics to pursue BTech or BCA. Others without mathematics too can do various short term certification and diploma courses in various small packages. However, there is a stringent selection procedure at place for computer engineers wherein admission to the BE/ BTech courses is extremely competitive. An internship program at Various IT companies would garner practical knowledge and employability and it is a must and can be either after or during the course.

Start Early

Candidates willing to excel in computer engineering should have sound command over mathematics and science to clear entrance exam conducted soon after 12th class. Advanced knowledge of chemistry and physics would help the candidates get through  the entrance exam conducted by engineering colleges in India. Candidates who wish to do BE / BTech in Computer Engineering must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Similarly, those who wish to do Diploma in Computer Engineering must have passed 10 + 2 with Science Subjects. Candidates may opt for M.E/ M. Tech in Computer Science for further specialization in Computer Science.

Is it the right career for me?

Depending upon the interest the career in IT can be chosen. Those who love programming and coding can do software engineering and those who prefer networking and system administration, can do hardware engineering. IT sector is quite broad in terms of employment and job options. Roles are varieties for Computer engineers in IT sector, but their primary role is to apply the knowledge of mathematics and science to design and develop software to be used by clients or users. There are network engineers, system management professionals besides the computer engineers. Computer software engineers have bright career prospects as the application of software and dependency on it in various walks of life are increasing.

What Would It Cost Me?

Studying Information Technology can cost a lot in private engineering colleges. However, government sponsored engineering colleges charge comparatively low. IITs charge from Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 2,70,000, but the fee depends upon the rank of engineering college and reputation. Diploma programs on the other hand cost less and a diploma in computer application can be done at 50,000.

Funding/Scholarship

A number of scholarships are available for computer science students. One such scholarship is the Paul Foundation Scholarships and is offered to study BTech and MTech in computer science. Candidates with outstanding academic records are eligible for it.  The NTPC Scholarship for Disabled or Handicapped Engineering Students is also there for students who have some kind of handicap including of visual, hearing or orthopedic.

Students willing to do research in computer science can apply for the Young Engineering Fellowship Program which is offered to students of BTech who are willing to do summer projects conducted by the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Students in third year of any type of engineering degree are applicable for it.

Job Prospects

Booming IT sector in India has plenty of jobs for fresh computer science graduates. Candidates from top notch engineering colleges however get attractive job offers from MNC IT companies in comparison to not so known engineering colleges. Additionally, candidates with high percentage of mark and good communication skills as well as sound computer knowledge do not face problem in getting a job whether they are from a reputed engineering college or not. Computer engineers can get jobs in non-IT companies like universities, research, private and public industries, government departments, business organisations, commercial organisations and the manufacturing sector, etc.

Besides the Computer Engineers have plenty of options to work in IT companies in departments such as design, development, assembly, manufacture and maintenance, etc. Working as programmer, web developer, and E- commerce specialist with telecommunications companies, automotive companies, aerospace companies, etc. can be a lucrative career option as well. Moreover, numerous national and multi-national computer manufacturing companies, computer hardware system design and development companies, computer networking companies, software development companies, etc. require computer professionals in large numbers.

Pay Packet

It is the attraction of higher salaries in IT sector which urges youngsters to opt for a course in computer science. In comparison to other sector, computer science graduates fetch higher salaries from INR 15,000 – 25,000 in the beginning. After gaining +2 years of work experience, they can get a salary of INR 40000. Candidates who get opportunities to work in overseas project get numerous benefits and incentives which may even go to six figures. However, the salary depends a lot upon some factors such as the state of the industry, work experience, qualifications and ability of the candidate, etc. amongst others. Computer Science graduates who are in teaching can fetch a salary of INR 20000 plus dearness allowances and other benefits.

Demand and Supply

True to its global reputation, the Indian IT sector has lots of scope in terms of growth in employment opportunities. A huge requirement of trained IT engineers is expected in next couple of years. While according to NASSCOM, the Indian IT exports are expected to expand to the tune of US$ 175 billion by 2020 and the domestic sector will account for US$ 50 billion in terms of earnings. Similarly, a huge quantum of profit is expected  from the export and domestic IT sector which would be worth US$ 225 billion.

Market Watch

Widening scope for computer science professionals can be prophesied from the fact that after the recession is over, new jobs would come in large numbers in IT sector. Moreover, with low service cost Indian IT companies have leverage over IT companies in the USA, Canada, and Australia. The low cost Indian IT service attract lot more business even during recession as companies in developed nations try to reduce their production cost and outsource their IT work to Indian IT firms.

International Focus

IT sector can truly be considered a global career in terms of its wide scope for professionals. India has been one of the leading exporters of IT talent and Indian computer engineers have played major role in the growth and development of IT sector in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada. Numbers of employment opportunities are waiting for Indian computer professionals in these countries. Some new avenues too are being opened for Indian computer professionals in Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, etc. Thanks to global demand for IT services, which is around USD $70 trillion for many new and exciting international careers are opened up for computer professionals.

Positives/Negatives

Despite the fact that recent recession showed the worse days for computer engineers, a great hope still persists for Indian computer science professionals for the reason that India has potential to offer IT services at the fraction of the cost of the USA software developing companies. India has advantage in terms of IT professionals as it produces more in numbers than Western countries; therefore, the demand can be filled only with Indian professionals who are par excellence vis-a-vis computer professionals of the West. Indian IT companies such as Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Patni, HCL, etc. have been able to garner gains even during the recession and have hired a number of computer professionals.

Different Roles, Different Names

• Software Developers: Software developers are professionals who are concerned with facets of the software development process which involves activities such as design and coding, computer programming, project management, etc.

• Hardware Engineers: These professionals do research, design, develop, test, and oversee the installation of computer hardware which inter alia includes computer chips, circuit boards, systems, modems, keyboards, and printers.

• System Designer: Professionals involved in system designing, Logical & Physical Designing wherein logical designing can be enumerated as the structure & characteristics such as output, input, files, database & procedures, etc.

• System Analyst: Computer engineers who work as systems analyst do research about the existing problems and plan solutions for the problem. They also recommend software and system related problems and coordinate development between business development teams. 

• Networking Engineers: Networking engineers are computer professionals involved in designing, implementation, and troubleshooting of computer networks.

• DBA: DBA or Database Administrator are the professionals who are bestowed with the job to design, implement, maintain, and repair an organization's database. Inter alia DBA professionals are also known as Database Coordinator or Database Programmer in IT sector.

Top Companies

• Google

• Yahoo

• Hewlett-Packard 

• International Business Machines Corporation

• Toshiba Corporation 

• Dell Inc

• NEC Corporation

• Canon Inc

• Apple Inc

• ASUSTEK Computer Inc

• Acer Inc

• Lenovo Group Limited

• SAIC

• Sun Microsystem

• TCS

• Infosys

• HCL

• Wipro

• Techmahindra

Tips for Getting Hired

Like all other engineering professions, Computer Engineering too requires practical knowledge to be employable. There is no short-cut for computer professionals, whatever one knows needs to be put into practice and loopholes would come out only when exposed to projects and other practices. Therefore, candidates who are willing to make a career in IT industry should have maximum exposure to practical knowledge so that they can perform efficiently. Most of the top IT colleges impart practical knowledge and offer internship programs which enlarge the chances of getting hired. Additionally, candidates from not so known colleges should do add-on certification courses offered by Microsoft, Oracle, Redhat, etc. so that they have higher chances of getting hired.

Institutes

A number of engineering colleges in India offer BTech/BE in computer science and many of them are internationally acclaimed. Most of the engineering colleges are in public sector, which include IITs and NITs. 

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kanpur

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Kharagpur

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras

• Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi

• BIT, Mesra

• NIT- National Institute of Technology Trichy

• Delhi College of Engineering , Delhi

• BITS Pilani

• IIT Roorkee

• IT-BHU

• IIT-Guwahati

• College of Engg , Anna University, Guindy

• Jadavpur University , Faculty of Engg & Tech., Calcutta

• Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad

• NIT- National Institute of Technology Warangal

Career in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Before mobile phones and internet came into existence, the mode of communication had been via messengers. Messengers existed in different forms pigeons, people, smoke signals etc.

Coming to 21st century and you would find people using all kinds of wireless devices to communicate. So, ever wondered how your 12.9mm cell phone catches signals at the remotest areas. Well, it’s all the work of communication engineers.

What is Electronics & Communication Engineering?

Society relies on Electronics & Communication Engineering for breakthroughs in applications such as satellites, next generation mobile phones, air-traffic control, the Internet etc.

Communication systems are designed by communication engineers. Early inventors in the field include Elisha Gray, Guglielmo Marconi and John Logie Baird. In recent times, optical fibre has radically improved the bandwidth available for intercontinental communication, facilitating a faster and richer Internet experience. And, digital television has eliminated effects such as snowy pictures and ghosting. Communication remains an important part of world economy. The industry’s revenue is placed at just under 3 percent of the gross world product.

What are Functions of Electronics & Communication Engineer?

Typically, an Electronics & Communication Engineer will perform following work:

• Manage engineering team

• Design the communications equipment including modems, switches, routers and radio links

• Develop real-time computer systems, including embedded computer systems and their software.

• Build and test prototypes of new equipment including integrated circuit components.

• Predict communication systems performance

• Optimize the performance of communications systems

• Provide technical support to marketing or customer service staff and communications technicians.

• Train technical and engineering staff for new system installed.

• Supervise special research projects on next generation communication systems.

What to study in Electronics & Communication Engineering?

At the initial level, students concentrate on core units for electrical engineering: mathematics, physics, electrical and computer systems engineering, digital logic systems, computer organization and programming.

Later on the study includes communications, information transmission, electromagnetic theory, signals and systems, electronics and control systems, engineering management, communications electives and group and individual projects. 

Throughout the course, students choose from a range of electives, including Image Processing, Data Compression and Encryption, Radar Engineering, Microwave Integrated Circuits, Simulation of Communications Systems, Optical Networks, Wireless Networks, Internet Communication Engineering, Microwave Amplifiers and Oscillator Design, Communication Network Management.

They learn about the planning and design, commissioning, performance monitoring, optimization and management of both small scale and complex communications systems.

Career in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Employment opportunities for Electronics and Communication Engineers are growing rapidly. The list of employers includes manufacturers of radio, television, audio/visual, broadcasting and receiving equipments, hardware and associated software including computer systems, interfaces, security devices, data concentration, data transmission, signaling, satellite and radio communications and telephone equipment. Graduate also work in service organizations that provide broadcasting, consulting, data communications, entertainment, custom manufacturing, research and development, and system support.

Multimedia services are establishing employment opportunities not dreamed of years ago, for example video conferencing, interactive video on demand, internet broadcasting of conferences and training programmes and the real-time transfer of vast amounts of information.

Companies around the world are competing to be the first to market products such as digital mobile phones and network components that support the full range of Internet services into compact integrated circuit chip sets. Specialised terminal equipment will become available for new and innovative applications, including telepresence and shared virtual-reality worlds, with almost all existing communication network equipment being improved or replaced with exciting new technologies. 

Communication has be acknowledged as a vital ingredient for technology growing in leaps and bounds. Electronics and Communication Engineers are much in demand, as a nation’s hopes of development rests on their shoulders.