Careers in Ocean Engineering

Adventure, audacity, courage, discipline, clued-up and highly ambitious are the right terms that can perfectly define an ocean engineer. Applying the right knowledge of engineering in order to analyze its effects on vessels and structures is exactly what an ocean engineer does. Ocean engineering is an ambiguously defined discipline that encompasses oceanographic engineering and offshore construction. While oceanographic engineering, also known as marine electronics engineering, revolves around the technical aspects and designing of electronic devices in order to utilize them efficiently in the marine environment, like remote sensing systems, offshore construction, on the other hand, involves the technical design of fixed and floating marine structures, like oil platforms and offshore wind farms. It is also referred by the names offshore engineering or maritime engineering. To sum up, ocean engineering is that branch of engineering which designs, analyzes, operates, and plans systems operating in the oceanic environment. So if reaching out the skies and tearing part through the seas is what you’ve been dreaming since childhood, pursuing your studies in ocean engineering and exploring this field for flourishing job opportunities is your best bet. The increasing number of young aspirants taking interest in oceanographic disciplines has triggered the demand for qualified and skilled ocean engineers. As such, the field of oceanography has exploded umpteen career paths.

Course Details
A minimum bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering is mandatory to become an ocean engineer. Courses like B.Tech and BE are offered in this engineering branch, running for four years in duration. To seek admission in this undergraduate program, one must qualify 10+2 examination, with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology as compulsory subjects. Besides, appearing in engineering entrance examinations, like IIT-JEE and AIEEE is also required. There are other several entrance examinations conducted by respective states. Though having know-how about geography and environmental studies will be advantageous, but it is not necessary. On obtaining the Bachelor’s degree, one can either apply for suitable jobs in different organizations or opt for a post graduate program in ocean engineering.

However, one has to take the GATE to acquire admission in M.Tech program or CSIR NET for admission into research programs. In order to become a certified and qualified ocean engineer, one has to complete his/her studies, failing which he/she cannot apply for jobs in any field of ocean engineering. Alongside the right qualification, one has to possess a creative, logical, and inquisitive mind, clear speech and writing communication skills, leadership qualities, and sound judgment ability. What’s more, one needs to be mentally tough and physically fit to face the fresh and unexpected challenges each day. Since the designing process in ocean engineering is purely based on information and communications systems through computers, having apt computer software knowledge will be extremely valuable.

Career Prospects
The field of ocean engineering is not just respected in India, but across the world as well. Per se, graduates with a degree in ocean engineering can expect a wide range of job offers coming their way. They are sought by government and private sectors, thereby opening career paths in private, educational, corporate, and various other departments. Consultancy, regulation, surveying and overseeing, research and development, etc. are some other areas where the services of ocean engineers are highly required. Depending upon the organization and the nature of the job, ocean engineers can be allocated on remote sensing, global climate monitoring, environmental protection, marine transportation, renewable energy, underwater vehicle development, and offshore oil recovery. One can work as a coastal engineer, offshore engineer, environmental engineer, field engineer, or ship surveyor.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Courses in ocean engineering are available at a large number of prestigious and leading institutions across India. The top among them are: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Chennai, Kanpur, and Kharagpur; National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Calicut and Surathkal; National Institute of Oceanography, Goa; Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin; International Maritime Academy (IMA), Chennai; Institute of Shipbuilding Technology, Goa; Chennai School of Ship Management, Chennai; College of Engineering, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam; Indian Maritime Institute, Greater Noida; and Institute of Technology & Marine Engineering (ITME), Kolkata.

Remuneration
Ocean engineers lead a life full of challenges, adventures, and difficulties. As such, any ocean engineer who’s embedded with excellent communication skills, willingness to work in teams, and expertise in using computers and their applications and programmes, has every chance to reach the top level of this solitary yet unique profession. These various factors lead the high remuneration offered to ocean engineers. A fresh graduate in ocean engineering is paid a monthly salary of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 in government and public sector undertakings. The remuneration is still higher in MNCs and large private firms, reaching to as high as Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. Plus, they are provided various facilities, such as medical care, accommodation, entertainment benefits. With experience and promotion, the pay packages increase manifold. Those ocean engineers, who are hired overseas, are awarded with attractive and lucrative salary packets, along with umpteen benefits.