Tips for selecting the right branch of engineering

Engineering is a practical science that uses scientific applications to solve problems in the prevailing system. The first and foremost thing that should be respected to decide which branch to choose is the student's ability towards any particular engineering stream. The candidate should be clear about the stream they wish to take. Every branch of engineering has a different form of practicality and theory. The below article would help you understand all branches of engineering better before finalizing one. 

The engineering field is known to be much vast that one can't talk about it in a single article. Engineering is such a vast field which deals with many branches of engineering, and the most important ones among them are are Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Information Technology (IT) etc. 

To help you in selecting your engineering stream, I would suggest going through the following checkpoints, as these will surely help you choose your engineering stream.

1 . Look at your interests:

The best way to figure out which branch of engineering is right for you is to look at what interests you. Your interests may alert you to what'd be an extraordinary engineering career. For example, you're interested in learning to build bridges, but not necessarily in how to build them. Research shows that people who realize they have certain interests are more likely to pursue them even when they're unsure of what their options are. So in the above example, you will be more likely to go with Civil Engineering. 

Another Example is supposed you are interested in how machines or the automobile engine works, then most likely you will pursue Mechanical Engineering.  
2. Consider your personality:

When it comes to choosing an engineering stream, there's a lot more that goes into it than simply good grades and exams. There's your personal worth, passions, interests, goals and other factors that will help determine where you end up. Engineering offers many opportunities for advancement and has been known to bring about positive changes in the world around it. Your choices in selecting the stream will directly affect what kind of person you become later in life. Your personality plays a major role in what sort of engineer you'll become. Take certain interests into account when choosing a stream. Like what kind of person you are? Introvert or extrovert, Calm or aggressive, Logical or analytical etc.

3. Know what you want:

To be a successful person in engineering, you need to be passionate about the field. Knowing exactly what you want to do in terms of career and personal growth is the key to success. As young engineers, we tend to make choices based on what is popular, which can be exciting at first. But this "passive" style of pursuing your passion can become repetitive and can even influence your way of thinking. The more you think in "passive" terms, the more likely you will take a career path that may not be for you.

When evaluating your education and career direction, you need to make sure the choices you make are what you really want. Your passion for engineering will keep it interesting, regardless of whether you work in a field that's more hands-on or more office-based. Doing something you love will positively affect the way you think—irrespective of your chosen path.

4. Think about what jobs exist and how they relate to different branches of engineering 

When choosing an engineering stream, you should consider several factors. How much control do you have over the dream job? How much responsibility do you have for the success or failure of the project? Is the role one in which you'll be helping other people? Does the field lend itself well to education or a high-paying job after graduation? What kind of job will you be getting? What are the perks and benefits? What will be your initial salary? What type of advancement can you have after your campus placement? All these things will influence what career opportunities are available to you and which stream you should pursue.

For example, suppose you would like to go for a job in PSU or any Civil services then core engineering branches like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Civil Engineering will be the best option for you.  

5. Meet your potential professor or faculty member: 

A faculty member or advisor is someone who has studied under a professor or instructor and has advanced knowledge in their field. Similarly, if you're considering becoming an engineer, this is someone who might be able to recommend a good career path for you. Engineering has a lot of responsibility, but it also has many rewards due to technological breakthroughs, which makes it an exciting field to pursue. As engineers, we build things that keep people comfortable and safe around the world in ways that may seem impossible without our help. 

Knowing what specific responsibilities a particular branch of engineering has can help you choose the best career option for you based on the job opportunities available and how much time you're willing to invest. So I would recommend going physically to college or calling the engineering admission counselor or subject matter expert to discuss all the aspects of engineering streams. 

6. Read some books by authors who are on topics related to the branch of engineering.

You don't need to read everything. Just get familiar with the syllabus of that particular engineering stream so that you can have the answer to these questions. What kind of subject are you going to study? Can they match your interest and knowledge level? In which topics you are comfortable etc.

And lastly, an excellent way to know about a branch of engineering is to approach someone that has already studied that branch of engineering. 

Conclusion: One needs to consider their aspirations before choosing a particular branch of engineering. 

• Do not be pressured to make a quick decision and end up regretting the decision later.

• Focus on what you feel passionate about rather than trying to do something that everyone else wants to do.

• Do not just stick to the branch give an equal weightage to college (Before finalizing on any institute, you student should necessarily be satisfied with the institution's affiliation, ranking, accreditation status, faculty members, facilities etc.

• Choose the field in which you have a natural affinity.