A t a time when scores of students are busy preparing for engineering entrance exams, the quintessential dilemma they face is what’s more important –– the field of study or the reputation of the institute. How do they decide between textile engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and computer engineering at a state-level engineering college? Or, for that matter, between mechanical engineering and electrical engineering at IIT.

Ideally, the decision should depend on the student’s aptitude and interest but in reality, it is usually determined by peer pressure and market forces. “Unfortunately, in most cases, the choice of a subject stream is determined by the student’s rank in the entrance exam,” points out R.K. Thareja, dean, academic affairs, IIT Kanpur.

According to industry experts, the reputation of the institute should be the primary determinant. “Students should pick a good institute over a subject specialisation. So if you are getting admission in metallurgy engineering at one of the IITs and computer engineering at a state- level college, I would advise you to opt for one of the IITs,” says Praveen Tyagi, director, Quest Tutorials, a Delhi-based coaching institute. Tyagi himself is an alumnus of IIT, Roorkee.

But if you have the option of choosing between two subject streams at an IIT then it is advisable to pick the subject that interests you. The reason is evident. For each engineering aspirant, the final goal is a well-paying career at the end of those four years. And unlike a lesser known college, a reputed institute would guarantee good placements. “We always advise students to go by their aptitude and interest, but the reality is that your first job is crucial to jump-start your career,” says Praveen Sheikh, head psychologist at Young Buzz India Ltd, Mumbai.

At a reputed institute, the placement season sees top companies making a beeline to recruit students. In such cases, it does not matter if you are a student of computer engineering or textile engineering as students get a fair chance to prove themselves.

In fact, employers are flexible about specialisation areas if the candidate is from a good institute. Besides rewarding placement opportunities, a good institute also offers its students exposure to research activities and practical projects, along with the benefits of a well-versed faculty. Students can also take up projects in other subjects or do minor courses in related fields. This would help them gain an understanding of various subjects. Also, with a good score in the first year, the student gets a chance to change streams.

But if you don’t manage to get into a well-known institute, keep an eye on some crucial parameters before choosing a college. Says Dipan Ghosh, professor of physics at IIT, Mumbai, “You should take into consideration the location of the institute, its placement record and faculty profile. Also, speak with the alumni.” It makes sense to opt for a sought-after subject stream.

Unfortunately, most students decide on subject specialisations under societal pressure and are often ill-informed. For instance, students think that they need biology to study biotech engineering, or that aerospace engineering may lead to a life in space or that chemical engineering involves the study of chemistry. “The truth is that you don’t really need prior knowledge of biology to study biotech engineering. There is no study of inorganic chemistry in chemical engineering and aerospace engineering is the study of aerodynamics and aerospace structures and does not guarantee a career as an astronaut,” says Tyagi.

On the specialisation front, the current sought-after streams are computer engineering, electrical and electronic engineering. Mechanical and chemical engineering remain evergreen options. “The most popular option today is software engineering and electronic engineering as it is easier to get a job in these sectors. The best companies with the lucrative packages continue to chase students from these streams,” says Tanmaya Mathur, fourth year student of chemical engineering at IIT, Roorkee. At Roorkee this year, Microsoft offered a package of Rs 11.32 lakh to 12 students while Shell Technologies offered a salary package of Rs 12.6 lakh to 26 students.

In fact, so lucrative is the software industry that students from other subject streams also eventually land jobs in software companies. “Even students from mechanical, automation, electrical and telecommunications engineering end up working at software companies. The difference in salary is huge. While other companies offer annual salary packages of Rs 3-4 lakh, IT companies offer about Rs 12 lakh,” says R.P. Singh, director, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology in Delhi.

Now that you are well-informed and equipped to make a choice, weigh your options and go for what suits you best.