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Should I switch careers after working as a Software Test Engineer for 2.5 years?

Pradeep

Pradeep Pramanik  | Answer  |Ask -

Career And Placement Consultant - Answered on Aug 08, 2024

Pradeep Pramanik is a career coach, placement consultant and director at Fast Track Career Consultants, which provides career counselling, soft skills training and placement consultancy services.
Pradeep, who hails from Bhagalpur in Bihar, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 15 years in sales, marketing, training and product management roles in companies like Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Elder Pharmaceuticals and Ranbaxy Laboratories.
During his tenure in the pharma industry, he has worked in different states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
In 1998, he launched Fast Track Career Consultants with the aim of helping youngsters find jobs through the right career counselling, training and placement services.
They also offer HR analysis and appraisal services.
Over the years, he has been invited by management and engineering institutions to discuss education and employment policies, entrepreneurship, soft skills and emerging careers in India.
He has published four books on career counselling and contributed articles to print publications.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 06, 2024Hindi
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Hi ma'am I am currently working as Software Test Engineer in an organisation from last 2.5 years I have previously worked as Production Engineer for 4.5 years. I want to move on in my career request you to pls guide .

Ans: Dear , Request all readers to share their complete details to understand your needs and priorities and suggest future career plans . Without having any idea about your qualification , or the past experience like in your case ( software but what was your domain or Production Engineer in which industry ? ) Pl. share the details to get right suggestion.
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My son is getting NSUT IT, CSE IN THAPR INSTITUTE AND ECE IN NIT ALLAHABAD.. Please advice on what she should pursue for the next 4 years?
Ans: Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) Delhi's Information Technology program operates under AICTE approval, UGC recognition, and NAAC Grade A accreditation, supported by modern labs and industry partnerships. Over the last three years, NSUT recorded a B.Tech placement rate of approximately 82-84%, with a median package of INR 17 LPA and comprehensive recruiter participation from over 320 companies including Amazon, Microsoft, HCL, KPMG, and Deloitte. Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology's Computer Science program holds NAAC A+ accreditation and NIRF Engineering ranking 20, featuring state-of-the-art programming labs and mandatory industrial training semesters. CSE placements achieved 83-90% consistency over the past three years, with an average package around INR 12 LPA and top recruiters including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, DE Shaw, and J.P. Morgan. Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad's Electronics & Communication Engineering, under NAAC A++ and NBA accreditation, offers comprehensive VLSI, embedded systems, and communication labs with signature laboratory initiatives. ECE graduates secured 88-90% placement rates over recent years, achieving an average package of INR 20.56 LPA through recruiting giants like Oracle, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Goldman Sachs.

Recommendation: Choose MNNIT Allahabad ECE for its superior placement consistency, highest average packages, Institute of National Importance status, and world-class research infrastructure. Opt for Thapar CSE if you prioritize comprehensive industrial training, excellent private university facilities, and strong tech industry connections despite higher fees. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 21, 2025Hindi
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Sir... which is better option either IIT Bhilai machanical or Thapar CSE
Ans: IIT Bhilai's B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering is established within an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, holding NIRF ranking #73 in Engineering 2024, supported by advanced manufacturing labs featuring DST-FIST funded 2kW fiber laser cutting facilities, CNC machining centers, and automation equipment. Over the past three years, mechanical engineering placement rates averaged 38-65% with recruiters including L&T, Amazon, Google, and Deloitte, yielding a median package around ?9.64 LPA. Thapar University's B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering holds NAAC A+ accreditation and NBA approval, featuring state-of-the-art computing infrastructure across six floors with 24 UG labs, AI/ML facilities, and extensive software suites. The CSE program achieved 83-90% placement consistency over recent years, with major recruiters including Microsoft, Amazon, JP Morgan, and Google offering an average package of ?11.90 LPA. Both institutions maintain experienced PhD-qualified faculty, active industry partnerships, and dedicated placement cells.

Recommendation: Choose Thapar University CSE for its superior placement consistency, higher average packages, and extensive industry partnerships with leading tech companies. Opt for IIT Bhilai Mechanical Engineering if you value the IIT brand recognition, advanced research infrastructure, and potential for higher studies or core mechanical sector opportunities despite lower placement rates. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 20, 2025Hindi
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Hi, my son has secured an admission in a 2+2 BITS CSE program 2025 at Hyderabad (first 2 years) and Iowa state univ (for next 2 years). Under DASA he can potentially get AI at NITK or ECE at NIT Trichy or CSE in NITW (his CRL rank is 25200). Can you please advise and provide recommendations on what we can choose and reasons? We know 2+2 ISU program is more expensive compared to NIT DASA fees but is it worth the money vis-a-vis doing a B.Tech at NIT and doing a masters in US later? For this rank, what can he get at the said NITs under DASA?
Ans: The BITS Pilani–Iowa State University 2+2 CSE offers two years at BITS Hyderabad (ACM-aligned curriculum, NAAC A++ accreditation, state-of-the-art AI, data-science and cloud labs) followed by two years at Iowa State University (top-50 US engineering program, immersive B.S. in Computer Engineering, ISU merit scholarships up to US $4,500/year). Total direct tuition and campus fees for BITS Hyderabad amount to approximately ?10.5 L per year, while Iowa State tuition exceeds US $33,000 annually, plus living expenses. Graduates earn dual degrees with global brand recognition and typically secure near-100% placement through BITS’s 200+ recruiter network and ISU’s strong career services, commanding premium compensation packages in software, data science and R&D roles.

Under DASA with an All-India CRL of 25,200, he qualifies for: B.Tech AI at NIT Surathkal (AI cutoff: 26,688); B.Tech ECE at NIT Trichy (ECE cutoff: 66,706); and B.Tech CSE at NIT Warangal (CSE cutoff: 46,935). Each NIT features NBA accreditation, experienced PhD faculty, modern labs and strong industry MoUs. NITK AI and NITW CSE boast placement rates above 80% and growing AI/analytics recruitment pipelines, while NIT Trichy ECE records near-75% core-sector placements. Annual DASA fees at NITs range from US $15,000–18,000, significantly lower than BITS-ISU costs, with comparable scholarship opportunities limited.

Balancing long-term ROI, the BITS 2+2 path accelerates global exposure, dual-degree credentials and premium placements at higher upfront cost. A B.Tech at NIT followed by a US master’s entails lower initial investment, robust core engineering training and the flexibility to self-fund graduate studies through campus placements or scholarships.

Recommendation: Opt for BITS 2+2 CSE if you prioritise world-class international exposure, dual degrees and, top-tier placement networks despite higher fees. Choose a DASA seat at NIT (AI at NITK or CSE at NITW) for cost-effective core engineering training with solid placement and later pursue a US master’s via merit scholarships. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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