Engineering is a subject that integrates knowledge of mathematical science and physics with creative thinking. Engineers help either in the betterment of human life or then again help the study of biological science itself. We can say engineers are creators of the modern world. From making bridges, development in communication and technology to making spaceships, it is a course that helps in the infrastructural development of the country.
Choosing a career is a perplexing task. For many students it happens as it comes and for others things do not go as per dreamed. However necessary homework can be done about a particular career and then analyze if it matches one’s persona and interests. Finding a guide especially who has experienced the same phase and who has the self-lived answers to the queries is what a student seeks for.
The colleges and universities will indeed tell you the potential benefits of taking the course and the opportunities they can offer. However, the potential benefits is just one part of many in helping the student to decide if a career is actually compatible to him/her. The benefits may or may not come true for everyone. So, it is very necessary to be analytical and careful while choosing the field and then select the fields within according your persona.
Here, we try to look into the choice of engineering as a career and get an insight of what to be concerned about while jumping into the field from the view point of the passed out students who now work as professionals of engineering.
The brief real life journey of students into the engineering field have been included who tell their views from choosing this field, getting through the course to experiences of job hunting and level of job satisfaction compared to their efforts as current professionals.
We have included the students from different fields of engineering and their perspectives.
Bachelor in Architecutre (B.Arch) as a career choice after ‘plus two’
In general terms Architecture is ‘the theories of Engineering expressed in the forms of art and designs’.Currently, 3 universities offer Bachelor of Architecture in Nepal: Tribhuvan University, Pokhara University and Purbanchal University. Mid-western University and Kathmandu University are yet to start this program.
B.Arch program of TU is a 5 years, 10 semester program. Four Engineering Colleges of Nepal offers B. Arch course with affiliation from Tribhuvan University.
- Himalaya College of Engineering, Chysal, Lalitpur
- Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering (IOE), Lalitpur
- Kathmandu Engineering College, Kalimati
- Khwopa college of engineering, Libali, Bhaktapur
Total number of B.Arch seats at Tribhuvan University is 175. Similarly, in affiliation with Purbanchal University3Engineering Colleges of Nepal offer B.Arch course and the total number of B.Arch seats at Purbanchal University is 148.
Students’ Perspective
Prashanna Shrestha has been an architecture student and currently works as a professional architect in Samar company. He tells that he had a knack for arts and ideas since the school days but he also loved physics. Therefore he had to choose architecture. Here is a brief interaction we had with him about this journey from a student who was into figures and shapes and could handle Physics as well.
Name : Prashanna Shrestha
Degree : Bachelors of Architecture (B.Arch)
College : Himalaya College Of Engineering, Chyasal, Lalitpur ( Tribhuvan University)
Current Status : Architect at Samar Group.
What were your process or influences to choosing Architecture?
- -Ever since an early age, I was fascinated by art. And in engineering, I had heard of architecture being correlated with art so It was easier for me to decide as I wasn’t opting to study anything that was too technical or too artsy. Hence I went for Architecture.
- -Well, like every other Physics student, I joined entrance preparation courses, I had my classes at noon, I would study for a couple of hours in the morning and practice numericals in the evening.
- -However, a separate aptitude tests are taken by Engineering colleges for architecture or identifying the art prowess of any individual.
- -Architecture is a vast paper works, drawings, designs, model making, etc. Time management is the key as you don’t get a lot of time to study for your theory subjects in assessments and examinations.
- -The First year is the basic, one might even question themselves of whether he or she is studying engineering or art as there are a lot of art, sketching and painting to do.
- -For the first three years, one has to do a lot of hand drawings, hand drafting, however after the third year one has option of CAD ( computer aided designing) and other applications.
- -Architecture curriculum is quite practical in comparison to other engineering subjects in Nepal, as we are taught the things which we will be doing immediately after passing out of college.
- -A good balance between drawings and theory subjects, and back paper shouldn’t be a lot of problem.
- -And yes, if anyone is planning to study architecture, one should also consider for expenses other than college fees, as stationary cost in during the 5 years in Architecture is huge.
- -Architecture community is small as of yet, as the common people aren’t aware of the difference between An Architect and an engineer, so a lot of work that should be done by architects are taken over by civil engineers. However, Even in Nepal, architecture field will thrive in the course of time with growing economy, urbanization and modernization.
- -Any student of architecture has to complete a 90 days internship in any architectural and engineering firms within Nepal or anywhere else. So, one gets to know about firms and work they are going to do.
- -Public Service commission, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction( DUDBC), Municipality offices has openings for Architects regularly, more so after the earthquake of 2015.
- -NGOs, INGOs seek for architects for designing purposes too.
- -Besides, there are 100s of private firms inside the valley and outside of it, where one can work as
How was the preparation that you did for entrance?
- -Well, like every other Physics student, I joined entrance preparation courses, I had my classes at noon, I would study for a couple of hours in the morning and practice numericals in the evening.
- -However, a separate aptitude tests are taken by Engineering colleges for architecture or identifying the art prowess of any individual.
Tell us about your perspective on the course of Bachelor of Architecture.
- -Architecture is a vast paper works, drawings, designs, model making, etc. Time management is the key as you don’t get a lot of time to study for your theory subjects in assessments and examinations.
- -The First year is the basic, one might even question themselves of whether he or she is studying engineering or art as there are a lot of art, sketching and painting to do.
- -For the first three years, one has to do a lot of hand drawings, hand drafting, however after the third year one has option of CAD ( computer aided designing) and other applications.
- -Architecture curriculum is quite practical in comparison to other engineering subjects in Nepal, as we are taught the things which we will be doing immediately after passing out of college.
- -A good balance between drawings and theory subjects, and back paper shouldn’t be a lot of problem.
- -And yes, if anyone is planning to study architecture, one should also consider for expenses other than college fees, as stationary cost in during the 5 years in Architecture is huge.
What are the prospects of jobs and job-hunting. How hard it is to get the first work experience as a fresher?
- -Architecture community is small as of yet, as the common people aren’t aware of the difference between An Architect and an engineer, so a lot of work that should be done by architects are taken over by civil engineers. However, Even in Nepal, architecture field will thrive in the course of time with growing economy, urbanization and modernization.
- -Any student of architecture has to complete a 90 days internship in any architectural and engineering firms within Nepal or anywhere else. So, one gets to know about firms and work they are going to do.
- -Public Service commission, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction( DUDBC), Municipality offices has openings for Architects regularly, more so after the earthquake of 2015.
- -NGOs, INGOs seek for architects for designing purposes too.
- -Besides, there are 100s of private firms inside the valley and outside of it, where one can work as architect.
So, that gives a pretty much insight into the course. With a little research on the course and looking into the job prospects, you could decide whether to choose this as your career.
Find almost all about B.Architecture inlcluding eligibility and job propects at edusanjal in detail from the following links:
