What Does an Electrical Engineer Do

If you want to be on the cutting edge of new technological growth, the profession for you might be electrical engineering. An electrical engineer was involved in its design and manufacture, whether it was a motor for the new electric vehicle, a navigation system used in GPS applications, or a wind turbine power system for efficient energy production.

While with electronics engineering, the word electrical engineering is also used interchangeably, the two fields have somewhat different emphases:

It is the responsibility of the electrical engineer to design, construct, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment and systems in fields ranging from transport to lighting and cabling systems to power generation and transmission.

Electronics engineers concentrate more on systems of communication, signal processing, and other electronics.

Career Opportunities for Electrical Engineers

Job prospects, despite a few minor hurdles, are fantastic for graduates of electrical engineering. In engineering job prospects, cutbacks in government support for research and defense programs cause slowdowns from time to time. Moreover, both in product production and in engineering services, international competition has restricted job growth. However, it will remain competitive for engineers who remain up-to-date with technology and pursue their education throughout their careers.

The Future of Electrical Engineering

Looking ahead, in the emerging fields of renewable energies, biomedical technology, and personal technology, electrical engineers will find rewarding jobs. With a growing focus on reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy solutions such as solar and wind power, engineering employment is abundant in areas such as energy for wind turbines and the security of power systems. Factors in the development of medical imaging systems and instrumentation, wireless communications equipment, and consumer goods are also interested in electrical engineering.

Schools with Electrical Engineering Programs

Students wishing to become an electrical engineer have the following degree programs available:

Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering: While the normal starting point for a career as an electrical engineer is a bachelor’s degree, work opportunities for associate degree holders are also available. Schools can offer two-year degrees in fields such as computer programming, electrical engineering, renewable energy, and electronics engineering, resulting in technician-level jobs.

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering: A Bachelor’s Degree in Science (BS) or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BEng) in electrical engineering, electronics, or computer engineering usually leads to a position as an engineer, while a Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Engineering Technology or a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology leads to a position as a technologist in practical design or development.

Electrical Engineering Master’s and Doctoral Degrees: A master’s or doctoral degree may be ideal for those interested in more advanced research and development positions or in teaching engineering, or for those who simply want to expand their horizons and learn new technology. Popular electrical engineering graduate degrees include a Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (MEng), or a Ph.D.

Online Electrical Engineering Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Master of Engineering degrees are offered wholly or partially online by a growing number of schools. For those already working in electrical engineering who would like to extend their knowledge of the area, this may be an ideal choice.

Salaries for Electrical Engineers

The U.S. governments estimates that the median national annual salaries for electrical engineers is $94,210. The 2018-19 Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Actual wages can vary greatly depending on field specialization, venue, years of experience, and some other variables. National long-term employment growth forecasts do not reflect economic or employment conditions at the local and/or short-term level and do not guarantee actual job growth.