Not hit by recession
Rahat Bano interviews Sagar Maji, head, department of mechanical engineering, Delhi Technological University.
What is the range of work mechanical engineers do today?
Mechanical engineers work in areas ranging from very low temperature cryogenics to high temperature plasma welding, from 
automobiles on roads and trains on tracks to extremely sophisticated satellite launch vehicles and aerospace systems.
It covers a wide spectrum of knowledge domain. In its analytical side, it goes from a simple estimate of flow of fluids through pipes to complex CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis of multiphase flows. I think mechanical engineering has got a role everywhere.
What are the career prospects?
They can get into highly rated jobs in almost every field of industrial growth. Graduate engineers are getting jobs on par with postgraduates in management.
How is it a ‘gateway’ to other fields of engineering?
Mechanical engineering is the mother of all branches of engineering. It forms the base for design, production and assembly of any component used in any industry, not necessarily those producing mechanical goods.
A mechanical engineer can have a significant impact on the growth of intelligent manufacturing, bio-mechanical engineering, online quality and productivity management, energy farming, green power engineering, molecular manufacturing, etc.
How were job options during recent economic slowdown?
The slowdown may have affected a few branches, but the scenario is still very good for mechanical engineering. The average (placement) salary in DTU is about Rs 5.5 lakh a year. The highest package was Rs 40 lakh a year in 2007 and Rs 11 lakh in 2008.
Author: HT Horizons
Date: 24th Dec., 2009
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