Computer engineers research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. They supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. Apart from these hardware jobs, computer engineers also design various software programmes to run on computers, install and maintain the software.

The scope for computer engineering is tremendous as the world around us is increasingly becoming more and more computerised. Computers are being used in almost all fields and the prospects of the growth in use is also very good. Though the overall Information Technology industry (of which computer engineering is a part) is going through a downward trend these days,

experts opine that this trend Is only temporary. The long term prospects are good.

Job opportunities: Here are some areas and companies where you will work:

*Computer hardware design, development, and manufacturing companies like IBM, CISCO System, Hewlett Packard, Apple, etc.

*Operating and system software development companies like Microsoft, Sun, Computer Associates, CISCO Systems, Novel Netware, etc.

• Numerous application and system software development companies as well as System Consultancy companies like Infosys, Satyam Computer Associates, HCL Infosystem, TCS, etc.

*Companies specialised in telecommunication, networking, which are developing telecommunication hardware and software like Synacar.

*User companies like HLL, Reliance, etc. and numerous medium and small scale companies.

*Other numerous user companies like schools, departmental stores or NGOs.