Choosing an engineering stream only based on its popularity may not work out well for students as the course may lose relevance for the industry by the time the students graduate, speakers at a webinar on Sunday said.
The domains of engineering were evolving so rapidly that the core subject and verticals selected by students may not remain relevant to the industry when they graduate, the speakers explained. Going by statistics, Computer Science was the most popular course but there was no guarantee that it would provide future job prospects. It was, hence, important for students to think ahead by four years and choose relevant academic courses wisely, they underscored.
The webinar was organised jointly by SASTRA Deemed to be University and The Hindu Education Plus as part of their Career X for Gen Z series.
By 2030, there will be a demand for an estimated 30 lakh engineers with relevant skills, said John Bosco Balaguru Rayappan, dean of Sponsored Research and Professor, School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University. Core subjects like civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering offered excellent career opportunities if students get hands-on experience and develop soft skills.
With AI’s impact being felt across sectors, smart and sustainable engineering was important to understand industry expectations, said R. Narayanan, senior partner and head (Education and Skill Development), KPMG India.
Anamika Tiwari Chada, HR head, Staples India, urged students to explore paths that matched their skills, interests, and streams while being rooted in common sense. She asked students to use AI with caution as a tool for assistance and not as a substitute.
Sowmya Suresh, vice-president and head, Entry Cadre Fresher Management, HCL Tech, said e-commerce, digital marketing, and renewable energy are the sectors that are expected to grow due to technological advancements.
The webinar can be viewed at https://newsth.live/THSASEY
Published – December 30, 2025 04:44 am IST
