Electronics engineering and computer engineering are the two different sets of branches of engineering. While electronics mainly deals with electronics based circuit and its working, on the other hand, software engineering is related to programming and its different aspects.

Electronics engineering is related with designing circuits based on diodes, transistors, capacitors and Indicators. It involves the study of various circuits of power generation and its distribution on the nanoscale to a wider scale. In electronics engineering, one will gain knowledge about Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), power circuits, digital signal processing and various aspects of electromagnetism. An electronics engineer can find a job in embedded systems, Digital Signal processing, VLSI design, Industrial automation and telecom and wireless services.

Computer engineering is more of a related with software related work. It deals with applying software to hardware with the help of computer programming. It deals with all the aspects of integration, design, simplifying procedures and complex problem solving with the help of application of coding knowledge. 

Why do most electronics engineers end up working in computer engineering or software field?

There are various reasons attributed to this structural change of field phenomenon in India. The reasons vary because of many reasons. It has also do with present education structure and the huge gap between what kind of demographic dividend industry wants and the kind of talent the colleges are producing

1) Wrong Choices

Though the growth of engineering colleges is been stupendous and magnificent but the kind of awareness it should have spread is not visible. Often after clearing their 10 plus 2 education, students are in huge confusion and follow the crowd. It is not surprising that many of the students do not possess any surgical knowledge and awareness about which branch to chose. And many of them end up applying for all the branches.

2) Misconception

Many students opt for electronics because they see it as a double opportunity. Students do argue that they can get the job in both fields. Though it is true that an electronics engineer can work in both fields by just gaining some extra knowledge of programming but it can be seen as an example of distortion of choices.

3) Familiarity with software industry

Because of its huge online presence and quantitative hiring practices, the software industry is more familiar to students. So they don’t see or research the kind of opportunity an electronics field may provide.

4) Very little flexibility for changing branches or college.

The education system in India offers a very little opportunity to change branches or college once you are into a wrongly selected course. There is an opportunity at the end of the first year where the student can apply for a change of the branch but that too is limited to high scoring geeks. So, unfortunately, a student who later develops an interest in software gets a very little opportunity to change branch.

5) Campus drives

Most of the campus drives are conducted by the software companies. This phenomenon is clearly visible tier 2 or tier 3 engineering colleges where campus drives rarely happen. So out of anxiety and desperation, a college student eagerly applies for software drive.

6) Lack of knowledge as for how to join core electronics companies.

This is one of the most important reasons where student don’t take efforts to make himself ready to find the job in core electronics companies.

7) Crowd mentality

An electronics engineers will be keen to follow the crowd. He will reason on- what is easy to pursue and opt for that without thinking rationally and without valuing his own education skills.

8) Lack of quality education in electronics

Due to very poor quality of some of the engineering colleges, an electronic engineer will find himself deserted at the end of the final year. At the end, he may realize that he has not gained any substantial practical knowledge and in desperation opt for software field.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for an electronics engineer to join software field?

 Advantages will be related to what kind of satisfaction and career growth the software field provides. Someone will be very comfortable with handling software with the acquisition of some extra software language skills. On the other hand, some electronics engineers may find it as a gross wastage of core electronics knowledge which they have acquired after four years of arduous work.

Again, the answer to this question will depend upon basic tenets of career choice. There could be a very thin line or a very thick line between a job and a career. The question is how an engineer sees his career say 10 years after his graduation. It will also depend upon the kind of interest which a person possesses. Because it is this interest which will sustain him for the most part of his career.

What are the courses an electronics engineer can pursue to gain extra knowledge and become employable?

1) CDAC

Centre for advanced computing offers some rigorous programs for electronics engineers to sharpen their skills and improve knowledge. It is one of the most sought after programs in India. The admission to CDAC institute is based entrance test.

2) Mistral’s Embedded Competency center.

Mistral solution is founded in 1997 and offers a comprehensive course in embedded design. The institute also offers some very wide range of electronics-related courses.

3) Oasis institute

The institute offers Advance embedded system course and fast track embedded system course.

4)  NIELIT

The New Delhi-based government institute offers various short as well as long-term programs in engineering. The institute offers embedded system course with duration of 8 Months.

5) ICIT Pune

ICIT Pune offers a variety of courses to the engineering student who wants to improve their knowledge base. The Institute offers courses in embedded system and VLSI design.

6) SANDS India

The company offers courses in electronics engineering. Sands conduct programs in the embedded system in order to make students ready for electronics engineering.

Conclusion-

Though many students who are pursuing electronics engineer degree opt for the software jobs but this is mainly related to lack of knowledge about the companies or courses which provide specialized training and jobs. It is advisable that if a person has a genuine interest in electronics and allied branches then he should not haphazardly change his decision merely on the basis of kind of companies visiting the campuses. There are huge opportunities and various core electronics courses which a student can opt for. The electronics engineering is one of the core components of any design and it is here to stay and advance in near future. So students must understand this and plan his career accordingly.

For further queries and related information, you can approach the Professional Experts at CareerGuide. Hope this will help you!