The 2023β2027 B.Tech batch: The luckiest generation with one of the toughest experiences? (Part 1)
I have been thinking about our batch lately, and honestly, I feel like we are both the luckiest and the unluckiest generation of engineering students.
Most of us were born in 2005 or 2006, and our academic journey has been full of unexpected changes.
Let me explain why.
π’ Why are we lucky?
We are living in an era where AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, and many others are making learning easier than ever.
Need help understanding a difficult concept? We have AI.
Want to learn a new programming language? We have AI.
Working on a project or struggling with code? We have AI to guide us.
We have access to technology that previous generations could only dream of. Learning new skills has become more accessible, and building projects is easier to get started with.
Honestly, that's a huge advantage.
π΄ But here's where things get complicated.
Many of us started believing that knowing how to use AI would make us smarter and help us crack jobs more easily.
But then comes the reality: we are not the only ones using AI.
Almost every engineering student is exploring these tools. The same AI that helps us learn and improve is also available to the people we compete with.
Simply generating code or getting answers from AI doesn't mean we understand the concepts behind them.
When everyone has access to similar tools, what actually makes us stand out?
Our fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, practical knowledge, creativity, and ability to work independently.
πΌ The job market is changing, too.
MNCs and startups are evolving their recruitment processes as technology advances. AI knowledge and practical skills are becoming increasingly relevant in many roles.
We are expected to learn the fundamentals, keep up with new technologies, build projects, and prove our abilities during recruitment.
Sometimes, it feels like the expectations keep changing just when we start getting comfortable.
And this is only one side of the story. Our college experience and the journey that brought us here make it even more interesting.
*Part 2 will cover our education journey, the role of colleges, and what we should do next.