Electrical Engineer Career

For a young person who dreams of becoming an electrical engineer, he or she has chosen a career path that is part of the future. These professionals are responsible for many things involving electronics and as a result, they play a crucial role when it comes to the maintenance and advancement of technology. If you are thinking about starting an electrical engineer career, then this article will be able to provide some helpful insight.

What is an Electrical Engineer?

An electrical engineer is someone who designs and develops electronic systems, gadgets, tools, and equipment. This person is also in-charge of testing them. There are various specializations for electrical engineers such as electrical equipment manufacturing, communication, computer systems, and signal processing. Examples of electronic systems that electrical engineers develop, manufacture, and maintain are computer components, lighting systems, antennas, GPS systems, automobiles and aircrafts, and power generators.

Electrical Engineer Job Duties

The duties of an electrical engineer can be broad, and they can be employed in various industries that require the use or the manufacture of electronic systems and equipment, among others. Generally, an electrical engineer’s duties are to design, maintain, implement, and test various electrical instruments, facilities, products, and devices. They design software and equipment needed for engineering jobs, and they also operate computer-aided engineering.

Electrical Engineer Skills

When starting an electrical engineer career, a person should be aware of the needed skills that employers look for. The number one requirement would be technical skills, which are learned in school and practiced in the workplace as well as during on-the job trainings. An electrical engineer should also be very creative and inquisitive, since their job requires them to think outside of the box. He or she must be analytical and detail-oriented. Lastly, an electrical engineer must have good communication skills and be comfortable working as part of a team as well as around unfamiliar people.

Electrical Engineer Education

To become an electrical engineer, a person must have a bachelor’s degree majoring in electrical engineering. However, there are some companies that employ electrical engineers even if they have studied another branch of engineering. All U.S. states also require licensure for graduates of engineering branches if they want to work in public and private companies. Once licensed, they are considered professional engineers.

Electrical Engineer Salary

Electrical engineers are paid well. In fact, they belong to the group of high-paying professions with a Bachelor’s degree. As of May 2008 data, the lowest or entry-level electrical engineers are paid $52,990 annually. However, some electrical engineers are paid as high as $125,810, and this is usually for senior level engineers. The median average salary is $82,160, which is already high by today’s standards.

Electrical Engineer Job Outlook

A growth of 2% is projected for 2008-2018, and although this is not as high as other professions, particularly those in the IT sector, it is still a positive job outlook. It has been said that there will always be a strong demand for the manufacture and development of electrical items, which is a good thing. The only thing that may pose some hindrance would be international competition, which can affect employment growth.

As mentioned, an electrical engineer career pays well. And even if there may be that risk of being overpowered by offshore outsourcing, developing your skills and capabilities as an electrical engineer will help secure your future.