In a country with the maximum youth population and innumerable career choices, engineering has raked in votes of about 80% Indian students for being the most fetched career choice. Students believe that engineering offers the highest earning potential, in addition to driving innovation. These findings are from a global survey conducted by the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation.
According to the report, engineering holds a strong magnetism in the next generation, especially in developing economies. "For example, in both India and Turkey, around 80 per cent students in the age group of 16-17 years say they are interested in engineering," it added.
In India, the major driving factor towards this interest is the strong earning potential it offers, along with an opportunity to contribute to innovations. Another belief that has been going around is engineering being a stimulating career choice.
Dr Robert Langer, renowned engineer and scientist, and the winner of the Queen Elizabeth Prize in 2015, said that the report's claims are highly reassuring. The report showcases the worldwide faith in engineering outputs and its life-changing potential. He takes pride in the significant number of people who have imposed their faith in engineering as a way to contribute to mankind.
The 'Create the Future' report of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering is an inaugural international survey for determining global outlooktowards engineering. It surveyedaround 10000 people across the world about their perceptions of engineers and the engineering profession.
Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys, said that globalization is the key influencer in changing the world today. In developing nations, the interest in engineering has been exceptional as it offers the new breed an entire playground to imagine and explore.
As per the report, people in India, USA and Germany have rated engineering as a top career opportunity. Other preferred career choices are business leaders,lawyers, doctors and teachers.
It also revealed that interest in engineering is higher amongst men (66 %) compared to women (43 %). While the overall gap between men and women is high, it is interestingly small in emerging economies, like India, Brazil, Turkey and China.
The report stated that 57 % people, particularly in USA, UK and Germany, believe that engineering is vital in solving world's major issues.
The perspective though is different in Japan. The people here find engineering as the driver of innovation.
The report also pulled out a different aspect towards engineering. 71 % people feel that though engineering contributes significantly to the society, but the engineers' contributions are highly underrated, and they deserve way more appreciation and recognition.