IT jobs Vs Core Engineering jobs: Which is better and why?
Indian IT sector is making news world over. Indian IT companies are recruiting engineers and other graduates from various fields apart from Computers and IT specialisation. This article will help you decide whether to go for an IT job or wait till you get an offer from a core engineering job. Also find all the benefits of an IT job and core engineering job.
With the expansion and growth of the IT sector in India, there is a huge demand for qualified engineers and graduates who can work in IT industries. As most of the top IT industries in India provide IT training for 3 to 6 months to selected candidates, it doesn't matter whether the specialization of the student is in Computers or other fields. An engineer in India has all the basic qualifications require to do an IT job namely analytical thinking, logic building and process development. The IT specific training is covered by the industries making them eligible to work in an IT industry. Hence, most of the jobs offered to engineers in India are in the IT field. Hence, students often come across this dilemma as to go for an IT job or go for a core engineering job.What are the benefits of an IT job in India?
Since 1991, Indian IT sector has grown tremendously because of liberalization of economy. To know more about the history of Indian IT sector read History of IT sector in India. Indian IT industries have slowly stamped their authority on the world stage. Major Indian IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro and Persistent have a huge turnover and have subsidiaries and clients in USA, Europe, China, Japan and Australia. Apart from these, international IT companies Accenture, Cognizant and IBM have set up their own subsidiaries in India and have quickly entered in the top 5 IT companies in India.
A job in one of the top IT industry will provide immense opportunities in terms of your career development. Most important benefit of an IT industry job is the global exposure. You will get to work with clients and employees across the world. You will get an idea about the functioning of a large firm, the hierarchy of managers, team leads and then system engineers. You will get an experience of working in a large company which will increase your value and will be a highlight in your resume. Moreover, you will also improve your communication skills, interactive skills, presentation skills, writing skills and many more essential qualities which you will need to use during your job.
Another important benefit in an IT industry is an onsite opportunity in US or Europe. Since most of the clients of the Indian IT companies are abroad, sooner than later, you will get an onsite opportunity. The company will sponsor your entire cost of tenure during your onsite stay. Hence you will get to live in USA, Europe, Japan or Australia. You will get a truly global cultural interaction and also get a chance to see the functioning of the companies in other countries. As the IT industry in India is ever expanding, there is always a good opportunity in the Indian IT industry to pursue your career.Salary comparison of IT jobs in India Vs Core jobs in India
The initial average salary packages offered by most IT companies in India are in the range of 2 to 4 lakh per year. The initial average salary packages offered by core engineering companies in India are about 1 to 3 lakh per year. The reason for this vast difference is that the core engineering firms in India are not as huge as the IT companies in India. Most of the core jobs in India are small companies or start-ups that are yet to break even, let alone start making profits. Hence, there are no attractive salary packages in the core engineering jobs in India. There are exceptions of course, but in general, the initial salaries given by the IT companies are way more than their core counterparts.
The above data is strictly based on average packages offered to engineering students in India in general. The salaries of B.Tech engineers from IITs are always higher in excess of 5 lakhs per year in core companies. Similarly, there will be exceptional students in many engineering colleges who get a salary package of more than 10 lakhs per year in core companies. These packages are offered to students possessing very high skills or exceptional performance in tests or some other academic excellence which attracted the company recruiters. Do not be under the impression that you will also get such packages just because some student has got such a high package. Whatever data I have mentioned above is average salary packages in core companies offered to normal engineering students in India.
Most IT companies visit campus much earlier than core companies
If one observes the campus placements in the engineering colleges in India, it can be seen that most of the IT companies visit the colleges in the third year or final year of engineering before the student has completed engineering. The reason for this is to get the cream of students as once the student is placed in a company, he becomes ineligible to sit for other companies. So, to get the best engineers from the colleges, top IT industries visit as early as possible so that they get the best students for recruitment. Also, IT companies have to plan more than 1 year ahead based on the commitments towards certain clients and the requirements of software professionals in their industry.
In case of core companies, the recruitments are done based on the immediate requirements. So, the campus placements are done mostly after the students have graduated from the engineering college. Many times the core companies visit even after 1 or 2 years after completion of engineering. But by that time most of the students have already accepted the job offers from IT firms. Thus, if you really want to get a core engineering job, you need to stay away from the IT glamour and be patient. You will eventually get a job in a core company. Also, you need to apply off campus to as many core companies as you can to increase your chances of getting a core job.IT company experience will help for MBA aspirants in India
As mentioned in the first paragraph, a job in one of the top IT companies will give you a global exposure and experience which cannot be obtained in any other fields. Also, the essential corporate skills like communication, leadership skills, team work, writing skills and presentation techniques are improved and sharpened. These are the very essential skills that are required if you are aspiring to become a manager after completing MBA. As an MBA aspirant, an IT experience is just the right platform which will make you ready to face the corporate challenges.
Most of the top MBA colleges in India prefer students having industrial experience and especially experience from a multinational company. The IT experience of 2-3 years will increase your chances of getting admission into the top MBA colleges in India and also impact your pay package after completion of your MBA degree. To read more about the MBA program in India click on Fees, salaries and job prospects after MBA in India.Core engineering company experience will help for MTech/ME aspirants in India
If your final career aim is to excel in the core engineering subject in India, then a core job is what you should select. An IT job will not help you in any way for your career development. Do not be attracted towards the salary and other glamour that an IT industry offers. Although the salary of the core companies is not as high as the IT companies, in the long term, you will earn much higher than your IT company colleagues. But you should have patience and be ready to sacrifice the initial few years and struggle till you excel in your core field. The dividends you will receive will be very satisfying. If your passion is core engineering, a job in IT will make you frustrated after a few years and by that time you will never be able to change course and do something else. It is better to take up a core engineering job than an IT job.
The other options after an experience of 1-2 years in core engineering company are to pursue an MTech or ME in that subject. The experience will help a lot in your completion of an ME or MTech degree from a reputed engineering college in India. Furthermore, with an experience in core engineering company, you can also pursue a PhD in that area and contribute to research in India. You can also take up a job as a lecturer and continue your passion towards the subject of your choice. There are core engineering professionals in India who earn much higher than their IT professional batch mates. The only difference between them was they had the guts to reject job offer from IT companies and work in core companies.IT job or core engineering job if planning to study abroad?
If you are planning to study abroad, be it MBA, MS or any other degree, a job experience from any field has the same value for the review committee in the foreign countries like USA , UK, Australia or Canada. Much more stress is given to the other aspects of the students profile like his academic credentials, recommendations, GRE/GMAT scores and statement of purpose. A job experience from any field adds the same value to a candidate's profile. So, there is no real advantage or disadvantage if you have done a job in IT field after engineering or core engineering company after engineering. But when a comparison is made between candidates without any experience and with some experience, obviously experienced candidates are preferred. So, if you are planning to go abroad for education, just make sure you work in an accredited Indian company and make your other profile details stronger.Conclusion
The question of whether to take up IT jobs or core engineering jobs is solely dependent on the passion of the student and his career aspirations. If his eventual aim is to assume the role of a manager after completion of MBA, IT job is better choice. On the other hand, if the student wants to pursue a technical job or technical degree or research job, a core engineering experience will help a long way than an IT job.
You might also like to read this article on career options after engineering: How to plan your career after engineering.
Well-written article. Cleared some of my career doubts. However, I want to ask one question. I am a B.Tech Mechanical graduate,pass out year 2013, with nearly 1 year work experience in digital media as an editor. Though, its very difficult to get into core job now but I want 2 switch 2 core field anyhow before it gets too late. How should I build my resume in order to gain attention of potential recruiters for an interview in engineering field. Will it be safe to include my work exp.(which is in different field) or should I just leave. Kindly, help..