Conventional engineering or engineering plus: What would you pick?

As technologies become more complex and interwoven into our day-to-day lives, critical thinking and communication skills will become the most sought-after soft skills by recruiters soon

Several experts have claimed that a degree in engineering, computer science or related subjects will be the key to survival for future professionals as technology continues to disrupt every aspect known to humankind. However, education in engineering alone may not suffice the growing demands of the ever-evolving tech world.

According to Author Dan Schawbel, who released a list of workplace trends to watch out for this year on LinkedIn, Artificial Intelligence will automate technical skills and drive the demand for soft skills like creativity, communication and empathy. Hence, it a given that going forward engineering graduates will have to upskill to stay relevant in the job market.

Quoting a McKinsey report, Schawbel concluded that soft skills are least likely to be automated. This, coupled with the uncertain times we are in – major financial crisis, political turmoil and health epidemics, will increase the hiring prospects of students who have additional critical thinking skills.

Why Engineering Plus?

As technologies become more complex and interwoven into our day-to-day lives, critical thinking and communication skills will become the most sought-after soft skills by recruiters soon.

Thus, there is a need to go beyond conventional engineering; there is a need to go a degree higher with Engineering Plus. UPES School of Engineering ensures that the students acquire high-quality education along with the right personality traits. In keeping with the trend, the UPES School of Engineering offers students the option of doing an additional specialisation in Robotics, IoT, AI &ML, Data Analytics, Blockchain, etc, along with their specialised B.Tech. program. This will make students become more diverse and broaden their skillset, enabling them to adapt and contribute in an era marred by constant disruption, thereby improving their job prospects.

Rethinking Engineering Education

Today, engineering is no longer seen as merely an industry and manufacturing field. According to a report titled ‘Global State of the Art In Engineering Education’, authored by Ruth Graham, a shift towards programs that integrate student-centred learning with a curriculum focussed on solving the pressing challenges of the 21^st century – societal, environmental and technological – will define the future of engineering education.

Engineers make the best entrepreneurs, it is said. And it is the technology-based entrepreneurial talent that will drive the national economic growth in the future. Even though engineering is one of the most important and in-demand professions today, an additional specialisation will further enhance students’ job prospects.