While the job market may not be looking up for students with a degree in Finance or IT, it is however, booming with multiple job opportunities for students of metallurgy and aeronautical engineering, traditionally the least preferred branches of study.

Two students from the Metallurgy department of the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) have been recruited by Hero Honda, with the highest pay package offered standing at Rs 4.7 lakh per annum.The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has also offered an annual package of Rs 4.5 lakh for students pursuing aeronautical engineering.

Students of both these departments are a happy lot as they are much better off than their counterparts from other branches. Not only are they getting good pay packages but many also have two jobs in hand to choose from.

Talking to Newsline, Professor K K Garg, Training and Placement Officer at PEC said: "Gone are the days when branches like metallurgy were the least preferred option. Students have now started opting for them and are getting positive responses."

"We have received a positive response for both the branches and are expecting the same in future as well," he added.Out of the nineteen students in the Metallurgy department, six have two job offers in hand to choose from."

A positive trend is also that girls have begun showing interest in the stream. There are eight girls in the Metallurgy department, while four are pursuing aeronautical engineering out of a total of 19 in the class. Experts claim that with the country making rapid progress, there are several new opportunities in steel-related industries, which have great scope.