Although it is true that dealing with the intense 4-5 year long pressure of studying engineering is daunting and that the job market is somewhat challenging, they shouldn't discourage a student out of pursuing a degree in engineering. Passionate future engineers will know how to make the most out of their potentials and get the fruits of their labour. Furthermore, studying engineering opens up a wide array of opportunities that most are unfamiliar with. 

Sachchal Islam, an electrical engineer who graduated from BRAC University and is currently working on his M.Sc. in Telecom and Network Engineering from La Trobe University, Melbourne, said, "It's sad to see that opportunities are limited for engineering students in Bangladesh. However, the fields do not seem saturated and I'm sure people who are resourceful will always find a way. I will definitely encourage people to study engineering."

Following are some of the reasons for pursuing an engineering degree.

Engineers can make a difference (seriously)    

Engineers don't work only to earn a living; their jobs can make a real difference to the world. The smartphone you spend most of your time tapping on? It was made by an engineer. The bridge you just used to cross the river? Its construction was meticulously planned and overseen by an engineer. The car you bought to make transportation easier? It was made by an engineer. This is what years of critical thinking, hard work and patience of engineers culminate in. They diligently work hard and commit themselves to make life easier for people and they contribute immensely to society. How proud would you be of yourself, when you see people using something that you constructed?

Tackling emergencies won't seem that hard

Engineering requires skillful analysis, hard work and a lot of diligence. Engineering students have to be on their toes all the time to complete their assignments, finish their coursework and meet the deadlines. All these combined, there is a constant pressure on the aspiring engineers to survive the huge workload and thrive in pressure situations. This equips them with the ability to keep their cool and perform adroitly in adverse situations, solve mind-boggling problems within a limited time-frame, and tackle emergencies that may arise before them. These abilities make an engineering graduate unique and a great resource for any company/organisation. 

Engineering can be fun

To those curious minds who were always intrigued by innovation and how things work, all the stress related to majoring in engineering would be capsized by the amount of pleasure and excitement they will experience. Studying engineering will allow you to learn the mechanisms behind machines and gadgets, and will give you stellar knowledge on one of the most focal points of development: technology. Your coursework will include practical work where you will learn to design and implement the mechanisms of various technologies, and in later life you will do it for a living. Would it be just another job or playtime? Think about it.

Opportunities for higher studies

Having a bachelor's degree in engineering also opens up the pathway to exciting higher education opportunities. There are a number of useful master's programmes in engineering like nanotechnology, mechatronics and robotics that have high possibilities of changing the future. Seeking higher studies in engineering will enhance the possibilities of indulging in such exciting fields of technology as well as pursuing teaching as a profession. 

Opportunities for research work

Pursuing an academic life in engineering provides someone with the best possible opportunities to get involved in fundamental to advanced research work. Engineering is all about applying and implementing the theories that scientists come up with. In fact, most of the scientific innovations can be accredited to engineers for their arduous research work. Starting with bachelor's, you can delve into further research work by opting for M.Sc. and/or Ph.D. So if you want to make substantial contribution to the society through your technical expertise and innovative endeavours, an engineering education will equip you best for that aspiration.

Engineering jobs are quite well-paid

It is true that the competition for engineering jobs is at an all-time high due to the rising number of graduates in the field. Worse yet, Bangladesh is not one of the technologically advanced countries when it comes to scientific research. However, this does not mean that jobs are absolutely elusive. We are making progress; scope and requirement of R&D sectors at numerous companies are ever so on the increase and jobs are going to be available. If you are dedicated and work your way to being an efficient engineer, well-paid jobs will be knocking at your door. 

Engineering opens up a wide variety of options

Those who contemplate changing their career-path can always deviate from engineering to any other area of interest. There are examples of many engineers who changed their tracks from the engineering field and excelled at multiple other sectors such as operations management, supply chain management or even the development sector. This is because a student of a different area of studies will not have the qualifications and knowledge to do engineering work, but an engineer does. 

Prestige

Not many have the guts to take on a major as stressful and daunting as engineering and not many have what it takes to thrive in it. This is where engineers stand out. They are groomed to be intellectuals, and taking on numerous challenges is their bread and butter. So it goes without saying that engineering is a field of pride and prestige. 

There are more reasons as to why one should study engineering but the most significant one would be to have a major interest in the field. Everyone has a right to make a choice and follow their dreams and interests. Likewise, only those who are intrigued by engineering should pursue a major in it. "A person should only pursue a degree in engineering if he/she is passionate about physics, chemistry and machines. If the person is not that interested in these areas, I would suggest him/her to take up any other major of interest," said Mohammad Rakibul Islam, a civil engineering graduate from BUET when asked if he would recommend studying engineering. 

Engineering is no cakewalk; it is not something you can take up just to obtain a degree. You have to commit yourself and have an idea about what to expect and the hurdles you will face over the years. If you have a thing for innovations, technology and want to pursue a career in engineering, don't let anything or anyone hold you back. Go for it!