[FueledbyFury]

Hello Team-BHP Family,

I'm confused about what career path I should choose and would like to hear your advice on the following.

I'm graduating with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE). It was always my dream to work in the field of EEE and establish a career in it. But in 2024, there is a drop in placements in tier 3 colleges all over India. Despite the dips in placements, I got an offer for a business analyst (procurement) in a company located in Hyderabad. The company mainly works in the fields of oil, and gas, procurement of material logistics, and so on. Additionally, it is a US-based company with offices in the UK, Oman, and Nigeria.

I have received a total package of 4LPA (without accommodation) and it has a bond of 2 years, I am skeptical whether I should go for it. After those two years, if it didn't work out for me, career switching is hard with the gap in the EEE industry. Or should I work in the field of study for 1 year and later do an M.Tech or master's in the field?

Seeking advice from BHPians in the field of business analytics and relevant sectors.

Thanks in advance.

[AltoLXI]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

Seeking advice from BHPians in the field of business analytics and relevant sectors.
Thanks in Advance.

I would suggest go for it. Learning about procurement is not wrong per se. Even after a few years when you land in management position, this can come in handy. There are people who join senior positions in procurement in manufacturing industries with around 15+ years experience.

This may also help if you opt for MBA in future. My relative who completed BE in Mechanical could not get job in Bengaluru. He worked in company supplying spares for aviation industry (supply chain), did MBA in Germany and is now well settled there.

[hothatchaway]

Congratulations on getting your first job! Even though it's not in the function of your choice, evaluate basis the following factors

How many from your batch got jobs in a related field? What percentage were placed, regardless of function/field? Currently, as long as it's not a temp commission based sales job, no employment should be scoffed at. If a sizeable percentage of your class got jobs that they wanted and you did not, was it just down to chance? How do you rate yourself in comparison to others when it comes to technical knowledge? Even communication skills are vital to crack a selection process. Hope you will get the answer you are looking for.

4 lakhs is just about enough in hyderabad if you don't have to send money back home. Research the company and talk to your seniors if any about prospects of internal movement later on..

Good luck!

[itisravi]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

It was always my dream to work in the field of EEE and establish a career in it.

Is it only the field or do you want to do hands-on technical work? i.e. do you want an engineering role or get into other areas like sales and marketing, project execution, field applications etc. in an EE company and grow in it? If it is the former, my recommendation is do a relevant masters within a year. You could take the job now and do the prep work for masters on the side. Best wishes!

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

I'm confused about what career path I should choose and would like to hear your advice on the following.

I'm graduating with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering(EEE). It was always my dream to work in the field of EEE and establish a career in it.

I got an offer for a business analyst(procurement) in a company located in Hyderabad. The company mainly works in the fields of oil, and gas, procurement of material logistics, and so on. Additionally, it is a US-based company with offices in the UK, Oman, and Nigera.

I have received a total package of 4LPA (without accommodation) and it has a bond of 2 years, I am skeptical whether I should go for it. After those two years, if it didn't work out for me, career switching is hard with the gap in the EEE industry.

Or should I work in the field of study for 1 year and later do an M.Tech or master's in the field?

Let's look at your qualification and your proposed job profile. you are a EEE gradualte and the offer is for Business Analyst (Procurement) in a company which is in oil & gas domain.

I am not sure how the recruiting company drew the conclusion to offer an EEE graduate a job, that's not related to your qualification by any yardstick. Perhaps during the interview, your communication, your analytical thinking your problem solving skills were found good and the offer followed. Because I don't believe the offer came primarily due to your electrical & electronics knowledge. So, I presume your soft skills trumped over your qualification. And perhaps you are good in these soft skills ( my presumption).

you also mentioned that you dream of working in the EEE field and establish a career in it. It's very evident that an Oil and gas company is not a place where that dream could be fulfilled. They are like chalk and cheese in comparison.

Today, the job market is tough for newly passout engineers, but again opportunities are abound for a skilled and well prepared person. This is a college campus interview and thus it simply means that you have not yet explored the open job market.

The factors to be considered are,
1. Family financial condition: If finances are very tight in family and your job makes an immediate difference to you and your family, then perhaps you may want to take it up.
2. If you want to do further studies MTech down the line, then the present oil and gas analyst experience may not hold much value except for a broad spectrum understanding of working as an employee in a company (this can happen with any company in any domain for that matter).
3. If you are planning to do an MBA down the line then this experience could be helpful as you will be deviating from technical expertise to management / administrative expertise. In this case, you probably could not continue as a hard core EEE engineer as your skillset have veered off in a different direction.
4. I read from your profile that your hobbies are chess and stock trading. I feel you could be a thinking / cerebral type of personality rather than a hands on type ( I could be totally wrong here). I am trying to decipher your personality and match it with the job profile. Let me add here that your hobbies indicate that a Start-Up company in EEE domain could perhaps suit you very well (again just guessing)
5. If your EEE scores are good (say, distinction or a first class), you know that there is a good chance for you to get a job in your chosen field (EEE) if you looked harder.

the offer came from campus interview. And I understand the anxiety and eagerness to grab the offer and get started with your career. I also understand that any delay getting a suitable job means competing with the next batch of engineers who will follow in an year's time. I understand the pressure.

Personally, I feel that you should explore the job market in your chosen EEE field, may be start up or an established company, but in your chosen domain. That's the way, you can do justice to your 4 years of education.

Listen, Jobs will come, money will come. I say this as a qualified mechanical engineer and have worked for 35 years now in various companies. Most of our anxiety and worry are misplaced. Looking back today, I feel, I should have not jumped at the first opportunity and waited and pursue my chosen field, but there was no looking back once a career line gets established or atleast it becomes a very painful / difficult endeavor to change the horse midstream.

You have a 2 years bond attached with the offer and that is a red flag to me ( career wise for a EEE grad).

My suggestion would be not to take up this offer as I see some reluctance to the job in your post and looking for public justification or support to break that mind block. You are young, you are qualified and the WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER. Do not fritter it away.

Take some time, think with a cool mind, make a list of the companies in your domain, visit them, speak with them and I believe you will get a break. Infact your career is just starting, I dont mind in approaching an exciting EEE start-up and offer to work for a much lesser/ token salary to get an entry toe hold into the industry, then it becomes easy with time.

In a nutshell, EEE qualificaiton does not go well with Business analyst (procurement) in an oil & gas comapany. Your knowledge and experties needs to be better used and explored in EEE industry domain.

[Raghu M]

Just to be sure, you attended the interview knowing the JD and credentials, right? What is the confusion now? Not all B.Es get jobs related to their field. And if you are very interested in your own field, then you should not apply for jobs out of your main domain area. The job offer you have right now is definitely not going to be offered to an accounts guy. It has some relevance in terms of the area of business.

[jkrishnakj]

I'll say take it.

It's an oil and gas industry. You'll be in the procurement function. That would not stop you from interacting with the Design and Engg functions when they release new drawings or create new bill of materials. You're engg skills will surely come in handy when you look at specifications from a 'procurement' perspective.

You'll get a broader view of Procurement, design, engineering, logistics, supply chain for sure.

Don't worry about the 2 year bond. That's nothing actually.

Real worry is to survive at Hyd with this kind of comp. That said, with a promotion in 2-3 years, your comp should double in 3 years time.

[wheelspinner]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

Hello Team-BHP Family,

I'm graduating with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE). It was always my dream to work in the field of EEE and establish a career in it. But in 2024, there is a drop in placements in tier 3 colleges all over India. Despite the dips in placements, I got an offer for a business analyst (procurement) in a company located in Hyderabad. The company mainly works in the fields of oil, and gas, procurement of material logistics, and so on. Additionally, it is a US-based company with offices in the UK, Oman, and Nigeria.

I have received a total package of 4LPA (without accommodation) and it has a bond of 2 years, I am skeptical whether I should go for it. After those two years, if it didn't work out for me, career switching is hard with the gap in the EEE industry. Or should I work in the field of study for 1 year and later do an M.Tech or master's in the field?

Seeking advice from BHPians in the field of business analytics and relevant sectors.

Are you desperate to get work? Then, maybe.

I'm not in business analytics. But if you are keen on going into non-core sector, then why not go for software and IT? It has faster growth if you can put in the effort.

Also, a bond of 2 years, run far far away I guess. If you get frustrated with the job, and want to leave, they make you pay an amount like 1 lakh or so. These bonds don't make a lot of sense unless the company spends a lot of money and time on you.

[skchettry]

This type of dilemmas do come at different phases of life. Difficult to provide a solution by someone who is not very close to you and I am sure reading all the advices given here would not make you any wiser either.
I am a Mechanical Engineer from one of the first few NITs (called as RECs those days); having graduated in 1987. I was an average student with a First Class but struggled to get the job of my liking. I worked briefly in a textile mill, then worked as a Marketing Engineer selling air and gas compressors, then switched to a Paper making PSU as a Maintenance Engineer. I always remained shaky about the future of the companies I worked for and my own job security. Finally after 5 years of passing out from college, I landed as a GET in a premier Upstream Oil and Gas PSU. That was where I realized despite the immense physical labor that I had to do since the compensation was much higher than what I had been getting so long and also because of the future prospects of the industry, I enjoyed my work. Later moved abroad to work for one of the top MNCs of the world. And now with 31 years of having worked in the oil and gas fields in India and abroad, I took an early retirement
Why I mentioned my story to you is that one has to work with one's compulsions and limitations and that you need not land up at the job of your choice immediately after passing out and remain in the same sector till you retire.
As an advice to you, I would say, you need to decide for yourself whether you want to be in your core sector or move out to Business Management/Analysis types of jobs. With the fast growing sector in India like Power and Electricals, your EEE degree could be holding big potentials for you. If you come from a financially sound family, picking up a 4 LPA package with a 2 year bond, does not look very great. In either case, you need to ask yourself whether you would like to have freedom of looking for other opportunities or get bonded for 2 years.
As I said, my advice may not leave you any wiser, but you may learn something from what I have undergone.
My best wishes to you.
Sravan

[Fuldagap]

A Business Analyst in the first job that too campus placement is great. In the Oil & Gas (procurement), pays are great, opportunities outside India are good. It is a US based company, even better to get a hang of the professional work culture.

To start your career early in age is very important. The earlier you start the better chances of getting to the top of an organisation later on. Frequent career changes, joining a company at a higher age hinders your career prospects by a lot.

In India the bond is just a thing to make people stay, it isn't legally obligated. And if the company is good and offers good career growth then 2 years would pass quite rapidly.

If you are really serious of finding out more, simply head over to their office and directly speak with some seniors, prior to joining.

Do not join just to test it and leave later on. Many engineers & MBAs are hired into a consulting role because of their aptitude, analytical skills & soft skills. I'm not sure whether yours is a consulting role. A BA is hard to define without the job description. There are n number of BA roles across the industry now.

If you are planning to do higher studies from abroad or relocate to a different country later on then the current opportunity would help and look good on the resume.

Does this job help you target a company like say Exxon Mobil?
Trade off to start at an early age with a job that you don't see as a core profile for your educational background.

The placements have taken a brutal hit. IIT Kanpur graduates (chemical), still 40% or more unplaced. I'm told that is more or less the same scenario with all IITs. One can only imagine what is the status with colleges lower ranked than them. You should take the opportunity and work hard and make the most of what life has offered you. Moreover, to me it sounds like a good profile and a decent start. But you know best about it, we can only suggest. Good luck!

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by skchettry

I am a Mechanical Engineer from one of the first few NITs (called as RECs those days); having graduated in 1987. I was an average student with a First Class but struggled to get the job of my liking.


As an advice to you, I would say, you need to decide for yourself whether you want to be in your core sector or move out to Business Management/Analysis types of jobs. With the fast growing sector in India like Power and Electricals, your EEE degree could be holding big potentials for you. If you come from a financially sound family, picking up a 4 LPA package with a 2 year bond, does not look very great. In either case, you need to ask yourself whether you would like to have freedom of looking for other opportunities or get bonded for 2 years.
As I said, my advice may not leave you any wiser, but you may learn something from what I have undergone.

I agree with your POV and it resonates with my life too. I am also a Mechanical Engineer from Bangalore University, having graduated in 1987. My first few jobs were in various product industry such as Tin cans, Gear manufacturing, Electric motor manufacturing etc and finally destiny took me to Ship Survey at Mumbai port. I got trained by some of the best in the industry, got my IRDA licence as a Marine Hull Surveyor and thereafter started my own firm. I am contemplating retirement now after 37 years of working.

Having said that, I would like to reiterate that 2024 is an entirely different time compared to 1987. What holds good at that time may or may not hold good in the present time. I come from a time which had only news paper for today's social media, a landline telephone which took hours for a trunk call to get connected to the present mobile phone, No computers those day (or computers were in infancy) to today's Chat gpt, AI & machine learning. We have come a very long way in every perceivable term. So, the jobs today are different from the jobs 4 decades ago too. The perspective of staying loyal to a domain or a single company which used to be a matter of pride is looked down now a days as hopping companies or domains are revered. The world has really moved on.

When I look back at my life, I feel extremely privileged and grateful for being at the cusp of many a great historical advancements. Our generation saw both 20th & 21st century, we saw the birth & advent of Computers, software, mobile phones, space exploration, digital camera and a quantum jump in many more industries in front of our eyes. We, are a privileged lot and I am overwhelmed by nostalgia

I think, I digressed. Sorry for that. I got carried away with nostalgia. Well, In 2024, you have more opportunities & possibilities than ever in entire human history. Technology is advancing at breakneck speed. It's an exciting time to be a part of. As they say, Wake up and smell the coffee. Pursue your passion and see where it takes you. Good luck

[srini1785]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

I'm graduating with a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE). It was always my dream to work in the field of EEE and establish a career in it

First graduate that I have come across to have actually said that.

The company mainly works in the fields of oil, and gas, procurement of material logistics, and so on. Additionally, it is a US-based company with offices in the UK, Oman, and Nigeria

What kind of company is it? an EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) or a PMC (Project Management company)?

Most O&G jobs are project based. There is large project and it is divided into smaller packages and each package (like say Jetty, SRU, VDU/CDU etc) is given to an EPC with a central PMC doing the management part.

I have received a total package of 4LPA (without accommodation) and it has a bond of 2 years, I am skeptical whether I should go for it. After those two years, if it didn't work out for me, career switching is hard with the gap in the EEE industry. Or should I work in the field of study for 1 year and later do an M.Tech or master's in the field?

Procurement function in a large EPC is a complex job. You interact with vendors (known/unknown) control cost, attend negotiations and follow up with vendors for deliveries. Not much scope for actual engineering though.

The first two years are not generally considered experience in the engineering industry. In these years you will learn how a company works, interact within departments, understand hierarchy and correspond with customers. You can always switch to other fields in between too. Most Bonds are money bonds. They need you to pay back the company a fixed amount in case you leave.

M.Tech is always an option if after these two years you still want to pursue the electrical engineering field.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

I have received a total package of 4LPA (without accommodation) and it has a bond of 2 years, I am skeptical whether I should go for it.

It depends on your needs. If you need the money, then go for it.

But if you can wait, seek a better company with better policies. Nothing wrong with getting into a Business Analyst role, any experience is good experience at the beginning of your career. But the compensation for a city like Hyderabad seems low. And like others have pointed out the 2-year bond is a big red flag. Why tie yourself down to a company that has such bad policies? Chances are they will also have a bad/outdated work culture.

If you are anyway ok with moving away from your core field, then there are better companies in sectors like IT which will pay more and without stupid things like employee bonds.

[charanreddy]

Let me weigh in as I am an Electrical Engineer by education but Business Analyst / Data Scientist by trade.

Background : I competed my B.Tech in EEE from a reputed Govt College back in 2005 (Tier 2). I then pursued my M.Tech : Computer Applications from a Tier 1 college (~ consistently top 3 in India). The quality of education and practical knowledge imparted in Tier 1 college is multi fold better than a Tier 2 college from my personal experience.

Specifically in EEE, there are 2 fields
1) Core Electrical : This is where you work on Electrical Machines , Power Systems , Power electronics etc. Generally speaking the R&D / interesting and exploratory work has saturated. There are a few exceptions like PSG Coimbatore ( by reputation, no personal experience) but most of my classmates who went into core jobs are working in State Power companies and this is mostly an administrative role. Also , don’t expect a lot of growth if you pursue this path.

2) Electronics : This is where you study Microprocessors , VLSI, Embedded Systems etc. This is a niche field but most companies only hire from Tier 1 colleges. So if you want to do an MTech, get a GATE Score of more than 99%le and get into an IIT for your MTech. As expected this will take quite a bit of commitment and preparation but is completely worth it. Do note getting to 99%le is double as hard as getting to say 97%le. In majority cases, anything less than 98.5%le doesn’t cut it.

On Business Analytics, there are again multiple job functions with this title. If the job says you will be working on Data using SQL / Python and learn some predictive modelling / ML, go for it as this is currently a sought after skill set with good growth prospects.

Feel free to reach out to me over DM if you want 1:1 guidance.

[Turbohead]

I've been in the same conundrum.

To keep it short, I kept aside a campus placement offer from one of the WITCH companies to try and get a job in the field of mechanical engineering. I worked as an intern/trainee for 6 months and I realised that I neither enjoyed the work nor was the current/future pay any good since the supply of engineers was way over demand.

Thankfully my offer was still valid and I ended up joining the WITCH firm. I'm absolutely glad I did because I enjoy this line of work way better.

If you're confident that will you enjoy the real work and don't mind getting your hands dirty, you can pass the offer. But I'd suggest you to experiment before completely rejecting the BA role.