New opportunities opening for science graduates

Chennai: With emerging fields like data science, contract research and writing for gadgets, the experts are saying there will be more opportunities for science graduates in future. The interest in engineering courses has recorded a steep fall over last few years resulting in more than one lakh vacant seats going last year.

The lack of interest is mainly attributed to lack of jobs and many students are choosing arts and science courses. Apart from research and teaching, there are more opportunities now for science graduates, says .V. Venkateswaran, senior scientist, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. He said even companies need science-based content. Gadgets like mobile and other devices are in need of science content writers. Soon, the labs in India will need more people as they are involving research on contract for their foreign counterparts. “For a B.Sc. maths graduate there are different kinds of jobs available. Finance, Insurance companies and data science research will need maths graduates,” Vekateswaran said. “There are more opportunities for the students in central institutions like Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs).

The central universities are jointly planning to conduct the entrance exam. If they clear it, students can join the courses in central universities in Tiruvarur and Pondicherry,” he added.

Career consultant and educationist Jayaprakash A.Gandhi said, “Before choosing an engineering course, the students need to be aware that the entire world is moving towards automation. The research-oriented students can choose biotechnology and bio-medical engineering. These students have to sit for the GATE exam. Students with B.Sc. maths will have tremendous opportunities with additional computer skills like big data analytics in any IT-related field.