According to a Business Standard estimate, around 750,000 engineers pass out every year from about 3500-odd engineering colleges in India. There is a famous joke among Bangaloreans on this topic. They say, you come to Bangalore and randomly throw a stone in any direction. 99.9 % of the times, the stone would fall in a engineering college !! :) Bangalore has a staggering 131 Engineering colleges. Clearly, a higher education degree is a must in Today`s world to survive the corporate environment and to climb the hierarchy of a organisation. Or, at least, to be distinguished from your neighbor`s son/daughter. A survey says that less than 15% of the engineers from India opt for a higher education be it MS/MTech or MBA.
If I look at what options I had after doing Engineering, I would have probably come up with this list.
1. M.Tech from a premier institute (Via GATE)
2. M. Tech from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
3. MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
4. MBA from a premier institute (Via CAT)
5. MBA from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
6. MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
7. Part-time education (means I had to stick to Bangalore only )
8. Distance Education
9. Online Education
Adding to all the above options, I had to make a clear distinction between whether I wanted to be in Technical field (doing MTech/MS) or wanted to move into Management side (MBA). Let me briefly touch upon few thoughts on the above 7 options.
M.Tech from a premier institute (Via GATE)
Every engineer who studied from a Non-IIT Engineering college would probably dream of doing MTech from IIT/NIT`s by cracking GATE exam and securing a very good percentile. I too dreamt this way and enrolled myself for GATE coaching classes on weekends and bought lot of books. But, my then job schedule did not permit me to completely focus on GATE preparation. It was a hectic monday-to-friday, 9-9 job. Weekends went in GATE Classes. Life became too hectic and after 2 months, it was impossible to cope up with the pressure when my job demanded me to work on few Saturdays/Sundays. GATE preparation demands serious amount of concentration and time as the whole Engineering syllabus of 4 years is tested. But, continuing on the Job was critical to me as I had few loans to pay off and I decided to quit the GATE Coaching classes and the subsequent dream. My one-cent advice to those considering this option :
M.Tech from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
I never liked this option. Because, in terms to quality of education, research opportunities or even placements, none of these tier-1, tier-2, tier-n colleges are near to IIT/NIT. I`m not saying that all colleges are bad, but most are. Especially, the ones that are just getting started and yet to have a first batch passing out. Many of these colleges are just for namesake offering a MTech degree and there isn`t much to gain both in terms of research and opportunities.
MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
They say, its easier to get into Harvard/Stanford/MIT than getting into IIT`s. This is indeed true. The thought of doing a MS from a top US university was always lingering around my mind. I did lot of research and literature survey and collected lot of information on applying to universities. With this in mind, I started preparing for GRE. Many students take this route and land up in a decent US university for their Masters program. I was interested to Pursue Masters in Aerospace Engineering. But, I had seen a lot of cases in my current company, where those doing a MS in Aerospace Engineering were heading back to India because they could not get a job in US. There are lot of restrictions on a non-US citizen working for a Aerospace company in US due to ITAR regulations. More info on ITAR here : ITAR.
Even for other branches of Engineering, getting a job in US and H1B Sponsor isn`t that easy as it sounds. There are harsh realities that probably no one talks about. May be for a Computer Science/Electronics MS grad, its easier to find a sponsor. But, for other branches I`m sure it isn`t easy. So, I dropped this option of going to US and doing a masters program of my choice. What`s the point if I spend 30/35 Lakhs an return to India without finding a job in US. In my opinion, one must at least work in the US/Any country for at least 3/4 years if they want to reap the complete return on Investment(ROI).
I had this option open and thought about doing a MS in Mechanical or Manufacturing Technology. Sure, options were open.
MBA from a premier institute (Via CAT)
CAT race is synonymous with RAT race. CAT exam can be really demotivating for some. Most aspirants aim for 99.3% to get into IIM`s. More than 2 Lakh people eyeing for a few hundred seats. On top of this, there are Quota`s to be satisfied. I felt I could never be a part of the CAT race and I easily I made a decision of not giving CAT or even trying for it.
MBA from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
I would not want to write about this and waste time on this.
MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
Though I did not have this option in mind immediately after I completed Engineering, I was doing some literature survey on this. Most MBA programs from a good university requires substantial work experience. This makes sense. Also, its way to expensive. In fact, US students themselves find it highly expensive to study in IVY league college, then what about middle class Indian students ?? This option was always open and I was looking for a affordable MBA program.
Part-time education (means I had to stick to Bangalore only )
In terms of Continuous Education and part time education, India is Light years backward. The options of doing a Masters Degree part-time while working is very limited. The options open to a practicing engineer to get a advanced degree while working full time is very less. There are some options like Manipal, MS Ramaiah, IISc Proficience, etc etc. But, none of the options offer flexibility in terms of choosing a specialization. This option din`t satisfy me either.
Distance Education
I`m not a big fan of Distance Education. Nothing can match the learning that happens in a classroom. I really question what kind of contribution does a Distance Education program contribute ? Its more like a self learning process and I`m pretty certain that Distance Education Programs doesn`t get recognized in a job or may not even help in fetching a job or a interview call. This option was completely ruled out.
Online Education
Online education is the Next Big thing in Education. Rather, it needs to called as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC`s). I had written a couple of blog posts on MOOC`s on my other blog - aroundynamics. But, MOOC`s are still catching up and it has a long way to go before it becomes credible.
So, here is a recap
1. M.Tech from a premier institute (Via GATE)
2. M. Tech from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
3. MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
4. MBA from a premier institute (Via CAT)
5. MBA from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
6. MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
7. Part-time education (means I had to stick to Bangalore only )
8. Distance Education
9. Online Education
Also, as my experience grew, I kind of decided that I want to do something course that has the right balance of Technical and Management stuff. Something like a dual degree program or a Techno-Managerial program. I did lot of research on Dual Degree program and collected lot of information about the same which I would like to share in a future post. This was the time I came across the IIM Calcutta`s PGPEX- Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing program, abbreviated as VLM or VLMP.
In my next post, I`ll write more about VLM program and why I decided to choose that.
If I look at what options I had after doing Engineering, I would have probably come up with this list.
1. M.Tech from a premier institute (Via GATE)
2. M. Tech from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
3. MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
4. MBA from a premier institute (Via CAT)
5. MBA from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
6. MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
7. Part-time education (means I had to stick to Bangalore only )
8. Distance Education
9. Online Education
Adding to all the above options, I had to make a clear distinction between whether I wanted to be in Technical field (doing MTech/MS) or wanted to move into Management side (MBA). Let me briefly touch upon few thoughts on the above 7 options.
M.Tech from a premier institute (Via GATE)
Every engineer who studied from a Non-IIT Engineering college would probably dream of doing MTech from IIT/NIT`s by cracking GATE exam and securing a very good percentile. I too dreamt this way and enrolled myself for GATE coaching classes on weekends and bought lot of books. But, my then job schedule did not permit me to completely focus on GATE preparation. It was a hectic monday-to-friday, 9-9 job. Weekends went in GATE Classes. Life became too hectic and after 2 months, it was impossible to cope up with the pressure when my job demanded me to work on few Saturdays/Sundays. GATE preparation demands serious amount of concentration and time as the whole Engineering syllabus of 4 years is tested. But, continuing on the Job was critical to me as I had few loans to pay off and I decided to quit the GATE Coaching classes and the subsequent dream. My one-cent advice to those considering this option :
- Write GATE exam in the pre-final year or final year of Engineering. You would be in touch with your subjects and things become much easy
- Its probably better to quit Job and write GATE exam within 2 years of graduating. Doing MTech from a premier institute is better than doing a mediocre first job.
M.Tech from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
I never liked this option. Because, in terms to quality of education, research opportunities or even placements, none of these tier-1, tier-2, tier-n colleges are near to IIT/NIT. I`m not saying that all colleges are bad, but most are. Especially, the ones that are just getting started and yet to have a first batch passing out. Many of these colleges are just for namesake offering a MTech degree and there isn`t much to gain both in terms of research and opportunities.
MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
They say, its easier to get into Harvard/Stanford/MIT than getting into IIT`s. This is indeed true. The thought of doing a MS from a top US university was always lingering around my mind. I did lot of research and literature survey and collected lot of information on applying to universities. With this in mind, I started preparing for GRE. Many students take this route and land up in a decent US university for their Masters program. I was interested to Pursue Masters in Aerospace Engineering. But, I had seen a lot of cases in my current company, where those doing a MS in Aerospace Engineering were heading back to India because they could not get a job in US. There are lot of restrictions on a non-US citizen working for a Aerospace company in US due to ITAR regulations. More info on ITAR here : ITAR.
Even for other branches of Engineering, getting a job in US and H1B Sponsor isn`t that easy as it sounds. There are harsh realities that probably no one talks about. May be for a Computer Science/Electronics MS grad, its easier to find a sponsor. But, for other branches I`m sure it isn`t easy. So, I dropped this option of going to US and doing a masters program of my choice. What`s the point if I spend 30/35 Lakhs an return to India without finding a job in US. In my opinion, one must at least work in the US/Any country for at least 3/4 years if they want to reap the complete return on Investment(ROI).
I had this option open and thought about doing a MS in Mechanical or Manufacturing Technology. Sure, options were open.
MBA from a premier institute (Via CAT)
CAT race is synonymous with RAT race. CAT exam can be really demotivating for some. Most aspirants aim for 99.3% to get into IIM`s. More than 2 Lakh people eyeing for a few hundred seats. On top of this, there are Quota`s to be satisfied. I felt I could never be a part of the CAT race and I easily I made a decision of not giving CAT or even trying for it.
MBA from a tier-1/tier-2/tier-n institute (Via State Level CET or without it)
I would not want to write about this and waste time on this.
MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
Though I did not have this option in mind immediately after I completed Engineering, I was doing some literature survey on this. Most MBA programs from a good university requires substantial work experience. This makes sense. Also, its way to expensive. In fact, US students themselves find it highly expensive to study in IVY league college, then what about middle class Indian students ?? This option was always open and I was looking for a affordable MBA program.
Part-time education (means I had to stick to Bangalore only )
In terms of Continuous Education and part time education, India is Light years backward. The options of doing a Masters Degree part-time while working is very limited. The options open to a practicing engineer to get a advanced degree while working full time is very less. There are some options like Manipal, MS Ramaiah, IISc Proficience, etc etc. But, none of the options offer flexibility in terms of choosing a specialization. This option din`t satisfy me either.
Distance Education
I`m not a big fan of Distance Education. Nothing can match the learning that happens in a classroom. I really question what kind of contribution does a Distance Education program contribute ? Its more like a self learning process and I`m pretty certain that Distance Education Programs doesn`t get recognized in a job or may not even help in fetching a job or a interview call. This option was completely ruled out.
Online Education
Online education is the Next Big thing in Education. Rather, it needs to called as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC`s). I had written a couple of blog posts on MOOC`s on my other blog - aroundynamics. But, MOOC`s are still catching up and it has a long way to go before it becomes credible.
So, here is a recap
3. MS from a abroad university (US/Canada/Europe)
6. MBA from a abroad university (GMAT)
Also, as my experience grew, I kind of decided that I want to do something course that has the right balance of Technical and Management stuff. Something like a dual degree program or a Techno-Managerial program. I did lot of research on Dual Degree program and collected lot of information about the same which I would like to share in a future post. This was the time I came across the IIM Calcutta`s PGPEX- Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing program, abbreviated as VLM or VLMP.
In my next post, I`ll write more about VLM program and why I decided to choose that.
