Work while you learn

I am pursuing ECE 2nd year. I observed that my seniors are not getting jobs after their academics. My cousin who passed out in 2011 in E&C is still struggling. How do I ensure I don’t get into such a situation? - Ashwini, Chennai

In fact the engineering colleges ought to know that placement activity or focus in the final year is futile and a sheer waste. The pre placement activity should start from the very second semester to prepare for the internship. Work in the summer vacation to get the taste of technology. Approach start ups in Hyderabad (http://hyderabad.startupweekend.org/) and Bengaluru has lot more opportunities to learn. You would get the taste of technology in action. Once you are back in the campus, even if you spare four hours in a week write your blog on the technology subject using Word Press (http://wordpress.com/). Use Google Alert (http://www.google.co.in/alerts), to be on the self learning mode. So by the time you pass out you would have skills that would benefit the hiring manager. You would know where you want to join as well. Design the career road map in the process as to which company and technology you want to work someday.

Validate all the information with a real professional. Keep track of the bar camps (http://barcamp.org/), where all this is happening. Join them and meet up. It is free of cost. Share this with other friends in your batch for group learning rather than coming all the way to street side institutions and wasting money and time, like your cousin.

My mechanical engineering course will get completed in 2015. I wish to pursue higher studies overseas for masters in the USA preferably. Please advise. - Pavani, Hyderabad

First understand that overseas education is different from overseas career. Many realise this after spending lakhs of rupees for jobs in US or UK; when one returns disappointed and are back to square zero with depression. Avoid that. My sincere advice is that if one wants to do masters in USA, you should ideally plan PhD after that as well. Strive in the pursuit of knowledge and research, not for a mere paper degree overseas. This would ensure a secured career and richer opportunity in the industry. Avoid the one year master education from private institutes abroad; where the mere hunger for an overseas degree on paper will have you working in grocery stores along with studying to make the extra bucks. There are so many better options in India itself to acquire skills and go for overseas career. Why waste money and time for another paper degree chase. I always advise that one should opt for masters and PhD after three years of work experience.

I've finished my electrical engineering course in 2012. In my college, there was no campus interview. I sent so many CVs. But I didn't receive any response. Friends suggested me to do a course in SAP. But I'm not getting a job. - Damodar, Hyderabad

It is a known fact that campus interviews have reduced these days. Companies are not finding it viable. Only some off campus in a single location with a written test to short list the candidates is the norm these days. Companies are always searching for candidates by shortlisting the genuine applications. The moment they spot a cut paste CV, they reject it.

Also one point I wish to clarify is that if the SAP learning is for a mere Siemen's Certification, it is not worthwhile. SAP course should be pursued only after 2-3 years of work experience for better understanding. Since you have an electrical engineering background, there is huge opportunity for ‘solar energy’ field.

The writer is CEO  and founder of Passion4career, an organisation that trains students to make them employable.