u/Sensitive-Pepper-112

My other options are ICE or ECE. I don't have an interest in anything (maybe hardware, because it was so long ago that I used to play with motors, batteries, etc. My first year of YouTube was spent on these types of videos.) Claude recommended me for cybersecurity, saying I have the kind of brain it requires. I am also thinking abt AIML or CSE. I have no interest in electrical as there are not many high-paying jobs in it, or there are not many jobs in the private sector.

my_qualifications

CRL:233419
JEE Percentile:85.02%
EWS rank:35877
CBSE Class 12: 76% PCM
Home State: Rajasthan

I am currently getting some colleges based on CSAB but its risky, and some based on REAP but I am not sure abt it as I have no real data Cutoff, so I want some backups and what to fill in Josaa; How to start finding them and how to filter them; Josaa predictors are either not giving anything or they are very bad

I’m joining ECE this year and trying to plan the next 4–6 years realistically. I need feedback from seniors, especially people in embedded systems/core ECE/GATE prep. I am interested in GATE.

Current thought process:

• 1st year:
I want to explore different ECE domains properly instead of blindly grinding GATE from day 1. Mainly:

• Arduino
• Embedded systems
• Microcontrollers
• Basic PCB/design stuff
• Maybe IoT/robotics

The plan is to learn through YouTube, documentation, and by making projects consistently(mainly).

I’m thinking of buying the NIRMAAN 2029 PW batch mainly for:

• Engineering math + aptitude foundation (in year 1, and also getting materials for practice)
• Doubt solving
• Helping with college academics
• Slow exposure to GATE-style thinking

But I do not want to focus on GATE in the first year.

• 2nd year:
I want to continue making a lot of projects and improve practical skills + resume/profile for placements/core internships.

At the same time, I want to start GATE prep gradually, but not in an extreme way yet.

Goal is:

• Build real skills/projects first, and if possible, I want to make those projects which I can freelance from online, like Upwork, Riverr (if I can't freelance, then no problem, not that important)
• Avoid becoming someone who only solves coaching sheets without practical exposure

• 3rd + 4th year:
This is when I plan to seriously prepare for GATE and target a strong rank.

Long-term idea:

• Get placed first after BTech
• Work for 1–3 years
• Use salary to repay most of my education loan (~5–10 lakh total, depending on college)
• Maybe save some money for MTech too
• Then use the GATE score for MTech later (from what I read, the score validity is 3 years)

Questions:

1. Is this overall plan realistic or am I underestimating something?
2. Will delaying “serious” GATE prep until 3rd year hurt my chances for a top rank?
3. How much practical/project work actually helps in core ECE placements?
4. Is balancing projects + GATE realistically possible in ECE?
5. Would you recommend a different approach?

I’m mainly interested in core ECE/embedded-type roles, not mass-hiring software jobs.

my_qualifications

CRL:233419
JEE Percentile:85.02%
EWS rank:35877
CBSE Class 12: 76% PCM
Home State: Rajasthan

I am currently getting some colleges based on CSAB but its risky, and some based on REAP but I am not sure abt it as I have no real data Cutoff, so I want some backups and what to fill in Josaa; How to start finding them and how to filter them; Josaa predictors are either not giving anything or they are very bad

I’m joining ECE this year and trying to plan the next 4–6 years realistically. I need feedback from seniors, especially people in embedded systems/core ECE/GATE prep. I am interested in GATE.

Current thought process:

• 1st year:
I want to explore different ECE domains properly instead of blindly grinding GATE from day 1. Mainly:

• Arduino
• Embedded systems
• Microcontrollers
• Basic PCB/design stuff
• Maybe IoT/robotics

The plan is to learn through YouTube, documentation, and by making projects consistently(mainly).

I’m thinking of buying the NIRMAAN 2029 PW batch mainly for:

• Engineering math + aptitude foundation (in year 1, and also getting materials for practice)
• Doubt solving
• Helping with college academics
• Slow exposure to GATE-style thinking

But I do not want to focus on GATE in the first year.

• 2nd year:
I want to continue making a lot of projects and improve practical skills + resume/profile for placements/core internships.

At the same time, I want to start GATE prep gradually, but not in an extreme way yet.

Goal is:

• Build real skills/projects first, and if possible, I want to make those projects which I can freelance from online, like Upwork, Riverr (if I can't freelance, then no problem, not that important)
• Avoid becoming someone who only solves coaching sheets without practical exposure

• 3rd + 4th year:
This is when I plan to seriously prepare for GATE and target a strong rank.

Long-term idea:

• Get placed first after BTech
• Work for 1–3 years
• Use salary to repay most of my education loan (~5–10 lakh total, depending on college)
• Maybe save some money for MTech too
• Then use the GATE score for MTech later (from what I read, the score validity is 3 years)

Questions:

1. Is this overall plan realistic or am I underestimating something?
2. Will delaying “serious” GATE prep until 3rd year hurt my chances for a top rank?
3. How much practical/project work actually helps in core ECE placements?
4. Is balancing projects + GATE realistically possible in ECE?
5. Would you recommend a different approach?

I’m mainly interested in core ECE/embedded-type roles, not mass-hiring software jobs.

my_qualifications

CRL:233419
EWS rank:35877
CBSE Class 12: 76% PCM
Home State: Rajasthan

I’m joining ECE this year and trying to plan the next 4–6 years realistically. I need feedback from seniors, especially people in embedded systems/core ECE/GATE prep.

Current thought process:

• 1st year:
I want to explore different ECE domains properly instead of blindly grinding GATE from day 1. Mainly:

• Arduino
• Embedded systems
• Microcontrollers
• Basic PCB/design stuff
• Maybe IoT/robotics

The plan is to learn through YouTube, documentation, and by making projects consistently(mainly).

I’m thinking of buying the NIRMAAN 2029 PW batch mainly for:

• Engineering math + aptitude foundation (in year 1, and also getting materials for practice)
• Doubt solving
• Helping with college academics
• Slow exposure to GATE-style thinking

But I do not want to focus on GATE in the first year.

• 2nd year:
I want to continue making a lot of projects and improve practical skills + resume/profile for placements/core internships.

At the same time, I want to start GATE prep gradually, but not in an extreme way yet.

Goal is:

• Build real skills/projects first, and if possible, I want to make those projects which I can freelance from online, like Upwork, Riverr (if I can't freelance, then no problem, not that important)
• Avoid becoming someone who only solves coaching sheets without practical exposure

• 3rd + 4th year:
This is when I plan to seriously prepare for GATE and target a strong rank.

Long-term idea:

• Get placed first after BTech
• Work for 1–3 years
• Use salary to repay most of my education loan (~5–10 lakh total, depending on college)
• Maybe save some money for MTech too
• Then use the GATE score for MTech later (from what I read, the score validity is 3 years)

Questions:

1. Is this overall plan realistic or am I underestimating something?
2. Will delaying “serious” GATE prep until 3rd year hurt my chances for a top rank?
3. How much practical/project work actually helps in core ECE placements?
4. Is balancing projects + GATE realistically possible in ECE?
5. Would you recommend a different approach?

I’m mainly interested in core ECE/embedded-type roles, not mass-hiring software jobs.