Civil engineering sees many takers

COIMBATORE: The admission season is in full swing now with counselling set to begin in a week's time. Though admissions for management seats are almost over in all the colleges, the bulk of the admissions are to begin only with the counselling.
One engineering course that is gaining popularity in recent years is civil engineering. With the recent dip in placements in the IT sector, the demand for other engineering branches has increased.
"In the last two years, the demand for civil engineering has been on the rise," said C Parameswaran, director of corporate relations at Amritha University. The increasing number of opportunities in the construction sector has prompted many to opt for this course. The rate of placements is also attractive, he added.
Though the civil engineering branch had always offered numerous opportunities, it was not considered a 'glamorous' field considering the long hours spent in the hot sun. "Civil engineers do not have the luxury of operating from an air conditioned room," said P Appukutty, chairman of P A College of Engineering and Technology. A former civil engineer himself, Appukutty says there are several vacancies in government and the private sector. However, the job involves working long hours in the outdoors.
However, the advantage is that it is easy to establish your business and gain a reputation in a few years, if you are good at what you do.
"There are only a few firms that are reputed in the field. It is better suited to those with entrepreneurial instincts who enjoy the outdoors," said the professor. The opportunity to work abroad may be minimal but it is easy to start your own business. Appukutty says that when a mechanical engineer may take around 5 to 10 years to establish himself a civil engineer can do it within a couple of years. "A hard working civil engineer, can make a name for himself within five years. At the same time, working in the hot sun is part and parcel of the job," he said.