GATE 2019: Why Is It of Importance to Young Engineers?

A lot of young students ask me this question? Instead, they are more inclined to make careers in different fields, except Engineering, like Banking (IBPS exams), Civil Services and other SSC exams. The reason for this is twofold. One, the declining number of campus placements for Engineering graduates, and number two, the declining quality of Engineering education delivery in Colleges. Both these reasons have affected the students as well as the psychology of general public towards engineering education and a career option.
But, all these ideas about Engineering don't consider one fundamental fact, that Engineering forms the basis of modern civilization and the importance of it's far from over. In fact, young graduates should keep themselves informed and up to date in regards to the most current Engineering trends, as opposed to thinking of changing their field, altogether. One more reason, for young graduates shifting career lines quickly, is that if you pass out of an Engineering college, the main motto is to earn money and be successful. And, clearing non-technical government exams is deemed easy for these graduates. But, one wrong step in the wrong direction, while choosing a career can lead to a lifelong feeling of helplessness and frustration.
The main purpose of this article isn't criticism of what youthful Engineering students think, but to give them an idea of how the four years of their life, when utilised to think rationally and with reason can provide them a life of success and happiness.
1. Awareness
2. Desire to succeed
3. Positive Attitude by being involved in right: ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
4. Strategic Planning
5. Dedication
6. Hard Work
The significant structural conflict in the minds of the young engineers is that almost 90% of them think they are unworthy of a good engineering job and career and feel powerless. The current reality and their negative attitude make it hard for them to achieve their goals and visions. However, they completely forget, that they have been given a chance to spend 4 years of their life to think as logically as is possible, be honest and reasonable in their approach towards a problem. Therefore, they ought to use all the tricks and guidance received during their 4 years in any Engineering college to build a great career, and believe me Engineering is the way to go in the future!
One thing, young engineering graduates should bear in mind that the future economic strongholds will be formed by countries and societies having a Strong KNOWLEDGE BASE. This can be placed in easier words, describing the future economy as a Knowledge Economy. This means that the role of knowledge, in comparison to natural resources, physical capital, will take, and in fact has taken a much greater importance. Economic success is currently based on the effective utilisation of intangible assets such as knowledge, skills and innovative potential. Education & training, information infrastructure, economic incentive and institutional regime and innovation systems are of utmost importance.
Now, the question arises, how do you get that job, which will be created in the near future. The starting point for young engineers is that they should start preparing for GATE invigilated test series for electrical engineering, while in their 3rd year of Engineering, so that by the time they pass their course they know where to go and what to do and not depend upon their Engineering college to assist them with placements. GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, and is an all India test conducted by IITs every year to select meritorious students for various ME/ MTech programs in IITs, NITs, Deemed Universities.
Apart from this, a high number of Public Sector Units (PSUs) are recruiting via GATE scores. The future jobs mentioned in the above paragraph, will only be possible through PSUs, so it becomes very important to take this exam seriously. An added benefit of working for PSUs through GATE invigilated test series for electrical engineering, is that, the starting pay packets for a GET and MT is about INR 6-10 lakhs p.a. CTC, which is way more than what a young fresh engineering graduate will get in a private organization. This means, in the recent decades, GATE has transformed itself from only an exam to a symbol of excellence and competence. And the day is not far, when even private sector organizations will also start recruiting through GATE invigilated test series for electrical engineering.