The name “Engineer” sounded very prestigious a decade ago. Does anyone know why? Did anyone try to ask the question why? The reason behind this is that they are the ones who can make human life easier by providing the best solution with less cost. But we don’t think the same way. We believe that engineering is a big degree; everyone in our family and our neighbors will respect us and life will be settled for future. There might be many other better explanations to define the word engineer, but I am not here to talk about that.
I would like to share with you all the lessons which I learned during my 4 years of engineering life.
I was neither an ambitious nor a very studious guy who keeps studying hard. I studied just to make sure that my parents never had to come to school to collect my report cards in case of failure. I somehow got a pass mark in all the subjects.
I always knew that engineering course can never be my cup of tea. Finally, at the end of four years we have to just sit in front of machines and work like slaves for all other countries except ours’!!! I was a kind of engineer who always waits for things to happen, like we say cross the bridge when it comes. I used to wait until the semester exam starts, to open my books. I completed engineering not to change this world and do something big for the country, but because all my friends did the same course. I did engineering to make my parents proud, to get a job in a big MNC, travel onsite and to lead a wealthy lifestyle.
I never had any future career plans after engineering. I think most of the people out here will be of my category. Many people never know what their inner strength is. I am no exception in this case. I have never showcased my talent until I realized that I have some. I realized that I could dance well only after 2nd year of engineering. I came to know that I could choreograph and dance only after I joined the IT industry. I explored my singing talent only after 4 years of experience in IT.
I did not learn these things after joining IT, but, it was some-thing inbuilt and left unexplored. I think I’m a perfect example of the adage “Better late than never”. Maybe if I had realized my strengths that I can sing and dance well, my objective would have been different rather than a software engineer.
Engineering is just a degree after your name. Life is not just getting a degree after your name, but, it is how effectively that degree helped you to climb up the ladder. To all my dear friends who are reading this article one thing which I would like to advise, rather I would say suggest (since I never take advices ) don’t go by someone else’s views. To some ECE may be the best and for others CSE or Mechanical might be the best. Think what you are interested in. It is very difficult to identify your strength. It is not an easy task as I say.
For people like me, (middle class) parents will be waiting to see you complete the degree and start earning to help the family attain a better financial status. It is a true fact that cannot be denied. In such cases, children tend to sacrifice their interest for the sake of their family. I’m referring to the friends who have already got into the engineering stream here.
I request all parents to encourage their children to pursue their interests rather than pressurizing them to do a course which may not add value to their future. I can assure you that if you go with your passion, you will definitely shine brighter than everyone else at one stage in life. It might take time, but you will definitely reap the benefits of your hard work and passion.
If you are very serious about achieving something big in your life define your goals and have a clear plan about your career options. You should start understanding the subject practically rather than memorizing it. You might get 5 or 10 marks lesser than those who memorize the subject, but at the end of your engineering life, mark my words you will be the first one to be recruited rather than the person who scored more than you by memorizing it.
Now I have 5+ years experience in IT industry and I can bet that none would have enjoyed IT life as I do. I see work as just a tool for earning money and keep myself and my family happy. I am not here to do some great programming and make the world look back at me. Rather, I would love to have fun with my friends and participate in all the other extracurricular activities of my interest. Once you get into IT, work should only be a part of your life and not your life.
Engineering just happened to me by chance and not by choice. So please don’t give up your passion to fulfill other’s wish.