Thousands of students opt for engineering but find their true calling only after completing their BTech. What should they do?
Have you seen Scam 1992? A masterpiece of a web series. The leading protagonist in that web series Pratik Gandhi, in the role of Harshad Mehta and Shreya Dhanwanthary, in the role of Sucheta Dalal are both engineers. Even the director Hansal Mehta who has shaped the shining work of art, has an engineering background.
Why then do you think all the three gravitated towards arts? Simply because this was their true calling. Perhaps they always wanted to do this but somehow ended up being an engineer. That isn't necessarily the end of the world for your passion. There is always another field into which you can dive later.
As it is, in India, with students expected to make their career choice right after 12th, most of them are either not ready to make a choice at that point or do not have enough knowledge about various fields to choose from. Peer pressure is also a huge factor in this regard.
This is why students by the dozens end up in engineering colleges. Those who are the cream of the crop in academics find themselves in IITs and NITs while others land up in other engineering colleges as per their marks.
However, it is in the college that they meet fellow students from all parts of the country. The teachers also have a big influence on the students during this time. It is when they are exposed to a gamut of opportunities during this period that most students find their true calling.
Be it the likes of Anil Kumble and Harsha Bhogle who found their calling in sports or Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean who went from being a Masters in Electrical Engineering to a world-famous comedian.
If someone doesn't put it across, you won't even imagine that Anil Kumble is a mechanical engineer who graduated in BE from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering in 1991-92. Probably he made some use of that in the analytical thinking that he brought into cricket but not much more. Similarly, Harsha Bhogle is a chemical engineer from Osmania University who then did PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad before turning a full-time sports commentator and TV presenter.
Hence, take engineering like you did your schooling - like basic training which might come in handy through the rest of your life. If you want to become an engineer, well and good, if not, nothing wrong in choosing your career path after your degree, and going for it at full tilt.
