Bridging the gap in career expectation of engineering college students
When engineering college students or graduates from tier 2 or 3 cities start a new technical course, their expectation is: complete the course, get a certificate for the course completion and add that certificate information to their resume. They strongly believe that the certificate details on the resume, will be helpful for them to get shortlisted when they apply for jobs and to clear the interview and get a job. While this might seem very logical on the surface, the reality is quite different.
The Ideal Scenario vs. The Real World
The ideal scenario, as envisioned by many engineering college students, involves diligently attending classes, completing a course, adding the certificate to their resume, and confidently applying for jobs. They believe that the certificate alone will be enough to impress potential employers.
However, the reality the certificates are not valuable, what is considered valuable is the practical experience. When interviewers assess engineering candidates, what do they look for?
They are particularly interested in the projects the students have undertaken and the skills they have developed while applying their newly gained knowledge.
The Value of Practical Experience
When companies post job openings, they get many applications. They prioritize engineering candidates who can demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Projects provide a tangible showcase of a student’s skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
Here are some reasons why practical experience is so highly valued in the engineering field:
- Problem-solving skills: Engineering projects often involve tackling complex challenges, forcing students to think critically and devise effective solutions.
- Adaptability: The real world of engineering is full of unexpected twists and turns. Projects can help students develop the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Teamwork: Many engineering projects require collaboration with others, enabling students to hone their teamwork and communication skills.
- Portfolio building: A strong portfolio of engineering projects can significantly enhance a student’s chances of landing a job.
How to Gain Practical Experience
While certificates are important, they should be seen as a stepping stone rather than an end goal for engineering students. Here are some ways to gain practical experience:
- Personal engineering projects: Take on personal engineering projects that allow you to apply the skills you’ve learned.
- Engineering internships: Seek out internships or part-time jobs related to your field of study.
- Open-source engineering contributions: Contribute to open-source engineering projects to gain exposure to real-world development practices.
- Online engineering courses with projects: Look for online engineering courses that include practical assignments or projects.
Conclusion
While certificates can be a valuable asset for engineering students, they should not be the sole focus of their journey. By actively seeking out opportunities to gain practical experience, engineering students can significantly increase their chances of landing their dream job and achieving long-term success in the engineering field.
Whenever students/graduates start a course –
Their Expectation –
Complete the basics course
Add certificate to the resume
Get a job!
The reality –
Complete the course
Add certificate to the resume
Interviewer looks for projects done, using this new skill.
Students think certificates are important, but companies actually value practical experience.
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