Let’s face it. Many of us yearn to do something outside our 9-5 job. Some of us want to open their own business, some want to write a novel, some just want to paint beautiful paintings. So many times, the artist / writer / entrepreneur hiding in us gets lost and never gets a chance to shine forth. To avoid this in our personal lives, it is extremely helpful to draw inspiration from people who faced similar challenges and overcame them.
There is no limit to what a person can achieve. For example, an engineer may decide that he/she wants to be a novelist. And absurd though it may seem, thanks to Mr. Chetan Bhagat, every Indian now knows this is possible.
So in this spirit, let us list 10 things an engineer can decide to be. (Simultaneously, we list 10 example of people who followed each unconventional career.)
Featured image credit: cutekakashi
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #1: Be a Blogger
A prime example is Arnab Ray — India’s premier blogger, who is also a scientist.
Listen to Arnab’s TED talk and all other references in this site.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #2: Be a Photographer
Devendra Purbiya left his day-job in computer engineering to pursue his passion of photography.
Read more posts about Devendra.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #3: Be a Social Entrepreneur
After graduating with a B. Arch. degree, Swapnil Dixit joined/co-founded something completely unique – the Tata Jagriti Yatra, “an annual train journey that that takes hundreds of India’s highly motivated youth (…) between the ages of 20-25 and experienced professionals with age above 25, on a eighteen day national odyssey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India.”
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #4: Become a Police Officer
Anshul’s LinkedIn summary reads as follows:
“A Law Enforcement Professional with past experience in investment banking , consulting , e governance, healthcare & heavy engineering. Proven track record of project execution and policy formulation”
Truly remarkable! Read more about Anshul here.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #5: Be a Film-Maker
Arunabh Kumar’s transition from engineering to film direction is explained in his typically brilliant style in his TED Talk. To watch the talk and see all posts mentioning Arunabh on this site, click here.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #6: Be a Health Policy Specialist
Topper in Biotech to Masters in Public Administration to Health policy specialist, Debjeet Sen’s transition is a great example.
Read more about Debjeet.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #7: Be an Anthropologist
Aniket Aga, B. Tech Electronics, Ph.D Anthropology. Curious combination right? Read more about Aniket.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #8: Be an Entrepreneur
Aneesh Reddy and Krishna Mehra’s company, Capillary Technologies, is poised to be one of the fastest growing companies in India and the world.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #9: Be a Novelist
Chetan Bhagat is the ultimate example of an engineer turned into an author. Read more about Chetan.
Unconventional Post-Engineering Career #10: Put your name here
Who knows? Maybe you are the next unconventional career story to be featured here. If you think you could do with some help on your path to ‘hatke‘-dom (hatke = unconventional), subscribe to the GoHatke newsletter for regular tips and insights (absolutely no spam).
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1. You want to pursue an unconventional career without quitting your engineering job.
If so, read my free e-book on how to start an unconventional career along with your regular job.
Click the book icon above to start reading
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2. You want a complete career change from engineering.
If so, I would suggest you read some of these very good books on career change … my book on this topic is still being written 🙂
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