Mumbai engineering colleges upgrade orientation programmes to help freshers

Colleges said the programmes help students chart their career paths early on and start their journey accordingly

To help engineering aspirants give their best during the four-year courses, several colleges across Mumbai are upgrading their orientation programmes for freshers every year.

The colleges have added career guidance, interaction with alumni and industry experts and sessions aimed at developing a proper attitude to their orientation routine. (Representational photo)

Besides explaining the nitty-gritty of curriculum and showing them the campus, the colleges have added career guidance, interaction with alumni and industry experts and sessions aimed at developing a proper attitude to their orientation
routine.

Colleges said the programmes help students chart their career paths early on and start their journey accordingly.

While the orientation sessions at most colleges last just a few hours, KJ Somaiya College of Engineering, Vidyavihar, held a five-day long programme for its freshers last week.

During this period, freshers interacted with seniors, the institute alumni and industry experts, who provided them insights into the academics and career opportunities.

Also, lectures were held on Indian Constitution, ethics and values and excelling in life.

“We wanted the students to know what to expect from their course and the institute. Hence, it was done on the first day itself. They should start building their own resume,” said Shubha Pandit, principal of the college. “Through these sessions, we projected the importance of learning through peers and alumni.”

“Several engineering students are unaware of the available career options. Besides, the employment scenario is changing rapidly. We don’t know what skill sets will be in demand by the time these students graduate. The best thing we can do is to train them and boost their self-confidence, so that they can handle these challenges. Rather than focusing only on curriculum, we talk about other aspects of learning as well,” said principal Prasanna Nambiar.

The college also plans to conduct yoga and meditation sessions for the freshers. “We believe in holistic development of the students,” she said.