What to do if you didn't qualify for GATE 2023?

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a crucial exam for anyone looking to pursue postgraduate education in Engineering or secure a job in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). However, not everyone can clear GATE with the score they expected or qualify at all. In this blog, we will discuss what you can do if you didn't qualify for GATE. We will discuss two options, one for those who have a valid scorecard but not enough marks for IITs or PSUs, and the second for those who haven't qualified GATE at all.

Option 1: Pursue a Master's degree at other institutions

If you have a valid GATE scorecard but have not scored enough marks for IITs or PSUs, you can consider pursuing a Master's degree at other institutions like NITs or state engineering colleges. Though the stipend may not be as high as that offered at IITs, you will still receive a stipend of Rs. 12,500 per month, which will help you financially. Pursuing a Master's degree at these institutions will also give you ample opportunities and time to prepare for GATE while pursuing your education. Even if you don't get selected, you will still have a Master's degree that will open many doors for you in the future.

Option 2: Look for opportunities in technical fields

If you didn't qualify for GATE, there is no need to worry. You can still get a job in your field. Many companies hire freshers with one or two years of gap after graduation. You can use your technical knowledge gained while preparing for GATE to crack technical interviews in good companies. You can apply to companies for fresher jobs or even start with an internship level or contractor job through consultancies. These consultancies have a vast network in companies and recruit people for other companies. Once you have gained sufficient experience and skill, you can get a permanent job in a good company.

Option 3: Professional courses in your stream

If you want to get into private jobs, you can consider doing some professional courses in your stream. For instance, if you are a mechanical engineer or from a core engineering stream like civil or electrical, start by learning some CAD software. These CAD software skills are in demand, and you can start working as a design engineer in many companies after graduation. They'll require these CAD software skills, so do some courses on the software and try for internships or any other starting fresher jobs by showcasing these skills.

Option 4: Trending fields like data science, machine learning, AI, or software development

Learning the latest trending fields like data science, machine learning, AI, or software development is an excellent way to start a career. You can take courses on platforms like Coursera and showcase your skills by working on projects. Startups are a great place to start your career in these fields because they don't have any high criteria for a software or computer science background. They look for good people with a positive attitude and self-learning abilities. Working in startups might be overwhelming and challenging, but they are a great place to start your career.

Option 5: Pursue a Master's degree at other institutions

If you've always had a passion for research and want to pursue a Master's degree, there are many options available beyond just the top-tier institutions. There are NITs and state engineering colleges that offer postgraduate courses based on your grades, as well as their own entrance exams. Private universities like SRM, VIT, BITS Pilani, and others also have their criteria for selecting students for Masters programs. Many of these colleges offer great placement and internship opportunities, so it's definitely worth considering