Gear up for Engineering
Computers
Opening the door to information technology
Computer engineers work with computers, one of the most important office
tools today. They design the computer and its control systems (hardware)
and also develop computer software. The work involves constant upgradation
of existing products and development of hi-tech equipment such as supercomputers,
multimedia machines, graphic terminals, laser and inkjet printers, Pentium
based machines, etc.
Work
Computer engineering can be broadly divided into two sections- the first
section involves the design and development of computer hardware and peripherals
while the second section involves design and programming of computer software.
Computer engineers work with all departments, discovering each one's computer
needs, then make suggestions about which technical direction the company
should proceed in.
Engineers produce and analyse designs using Computer Aided Design (CAD).
They also learn programming. Development of new software and hardware is
the work of systems analysts and software engineers.
In order to be successful in this field, you need to be have an analytical
mind, have good organising abilities. It is also necessary to like working
with tools, drawing sketches of complex things and operations, and conceptualising
forms and structures. While a high level of practicality, skill, accuracy,
understanding power, capacity to toil, and perseverance are needed in ample
quality, one must also have a knack for numbers and the ability to express
one's ideas precisely to others.
Money
Computer engineers can earn salaries ranging from Rs.8,000 to Rs.20,000
per month in the beginning.
Attributes
Above average
intelligence, analytical and logical reasoning skills, numerical ability,
clear thinking, patience and excellent interpersonal skills are essential
qualities for a successful career in this field.
Job opportunities
Computer engineering has become one of the most popular branches of
engineering today. As computers are now employed in virtually every sphere
of work, the employment outlook for computer engineers is very bright.
Here are a few avenues of employment open to them:
Hardware design and manufacturing companies such as IBM, Intel, Wipro etc. Computer software development companies like Microsoft, Computer Associates,
Infosys, Hughes Software, HCL Infosystems, etc. System Consultancy organisations like Computer Associates, etc. Jobs
in these companies are as Developer / Analyst, System Integrator, Marketing. Computer Hardware and Software user companies which include private
and public sector organisations, research institutions, publishing houses,
etc. Telecommunication and Networking companies. Educational institutions Private consultancy
The rapid growth of this industry has lead to immense wealth creation,
making it one of the highest paying career options.
Entry
To become a qualified engineer one must have a graduate degree (BE/BTech)
or at least a diploma in any one of the several branches of Engineering.
The course content includes computer architecture, systems programming,
operating systems and programming languages, computer hardware, data structures
and files, networking, multimedia and web based applications.
Though you can learn software programming without pursuing computer
engineering, having a degree in computer engineers will give you a definite
edge over others with your knowledge of technology and mathematics.
Eligibility
You need to have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and
Mathematics in order to be eligible for the
BTech course in Computer science. You have an advantage if you have
studied Computer science at the plus two level.
Admission to all engineering courses is on the basis of merit or marks
secured in the final exams of 10+2 (with science subjects) or on the basis
of candidates' performance in entrance exams.
The six Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at New Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai, Kharagpur, Kanpur and Guwahati, and the Institute of Technology
(BHU) at Varanasi, conduct the Joint Entrance Examination for admission
jointly. There are separate state and national level exams for other institutions.
BE/BTech courses are of four years' duration while the diploma courses
are of 2-3 years' duration.
Educational Institutions
Some of the premier engineering colleges in India are:
Indian Institute of Technology (New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kanpur,
Kharagpur, and Chennai )
Regional Engineering Colleges ( Warangal, Andhra Pradesh ; Silchar,
Assam ; Jamshedpur, Bihar ; Surat, Gujarat ; Kurkshetra, Haryana; Srinagar,
Jammu and Kashmir; Surathkal, Karnataka ; Calicut, Kerala ; Visvesvaraya
REC, Nagpur, Maharashtra ; Rourkela, Orissa ; Jaipur, Rajasthan ; Tiruchirapalli,
Tamil Nadu ; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh ; Durgapur, West Bengal ; Hamirpur,
Himachal Pradesh ; Jalandhar, Punjab)
Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) - (Pilani and Ranchi)
Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.
University of Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh.
Jadavpur University, Kolkata
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