Interview with an Electrical Engineer. All rights reserved. "Especially in today's age, electrical engineering is integrated into almost everything we do because of the takeover of technology," Angela Foss, associate dean of operations and innovation for Southern New Hampshire University's on campus STEM programs. Electrical engineers work on electrical products and systems, from research and design to installation and handover, with a focus on safety, sustainability and value for money. An electrical engineer can work in a variety of engineering industries: Aerospace, Automotive, Chemical, Construction, Defence, Electronics, Consumer Goods, Marine, Materials & Metals, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Power Generation, Rail, Telecoms, and Utilities. According to a 2018 Pew Research report, more than 92% of Millennials (ages 22-37) and more than 85% of Gen Xers (ages 38 to 53) own smartphones. The use of technology has continued to grow and evolve in recent years, creating many unique job opportunities for electrical engineers. Electrical engineers work on electrical products and systems, from research and design to installation and handover, with a focus on safety, sustainability and value for money. What does an electrical engineer do at a construction site? Electrical engineering is a broad field so we do quite a lot. Communication. In fact, a 2018 study from employment site Glassdoor ranked electrical engineering as the 6th best job in the United States thanks to the growing demand for skilled engineers with electronics experience. Demand is also high for electrical engineers with well-rounded skills that go beyond the technical work of an engineer, including communication skills, writing skills and project management. In fact, according to a 2017 report from the International Federation of Robotics, the worldwide stock of industrial robots is expected to grow from about 1.8 million units at the end of 2016 to 3 million units by 2020. Commercial awareness is also important, as well as the ability to work and communicate with specialists from other areas, including architects and customer services staff. “Project management and overall excellent organizational skills are a must," said Mujumdar. Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. © 2008 - 2020 New Scientist Ltd.
What Does an Electrical Engineer Do? Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Information via the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What does an electrical engineer do? Connect with her on LinkedIn. What Jobs and Careers can you get as an Electrical Engineer. The role can also involve extensive travel and site visits to attend meetings and inspections, whilst ensuring that the systems comply with relevant standards, and also carry out ongoing maintenance roles. Electrical engineering dates back to the late 19th century, and is one of the newer branches of engineering. Powered by Madgex Job Board Software. When SNHU's Commencement was postponed, Dr. Gwen Britton decided she would arrange a special ceremony for her longtime friend who had earned her bachelor's in information technology. "The ability to communicate with customers, vendors and technicians is essential so the electrical engineer can understand the (project) requirements and meet project goals on time.”. ‐ CareerExplorer. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPS). Electrical engineers must have excellent technical knowledge as well as the ability to project manage and lead teams. © 2020 University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “There is a lot of variety in an electrical engineer’s job – from talking to a customer about the requirements of a project, to designing the product, coordinating with manufacturing to get it made, ensuring quality assurance testing goes well, and making sure the product is delivered to the customer on time,” said Monali Mujumdar, an electrical engineer for E Source. This growth of digital technology would not be possible without the innovative work of electrical engineers, who design and develop the electrical components that power these machines. Where can an electrical engineer work? Anything where you use electricity to solve problems is electrical engineering. They are employed in many areas, including transportation, IT, manufacturing, power and construction, as well as the telecommunications industry. Electrical engineers wishing to gain chartered status must hold an Institution of Engineering and Technology accredited degree to M.Eng level. Whether you like mathematics or are even very good at it, math is around us all the time. What to expect as an Electrical Engineer. From electric power generation and distribution to cars to smartphones, electrical engineers are integral parts of thousands of companies. Today, that includes a growing number of jobs in the evolving renewable energy field. In 2019, electrical engineers made a median salary of $101,000 and the field is expected to add 200,000 positions through 2028, according to BLS. Here's are some popular fields: Power engineering. After earning a degree, you can also seek a licensure and certification as a professional engineer (P.E.). Electrical Engineers - What They Do - Page 2. A master’s degree in electrical engineering can also provide further learning and help you to specialize in a specific area of electrical engineering, such as electronics development or renewable energy, or an MBA in engineering management online could help you advance as a leader in the industry. Most electrical engineers work with large-scale electrical systems, such as using electricity to transmit energy, however a wide range of technologies are being developed, from household appliances and installing lighting within buildings, to power stations and satellite communications. What is electrical engineering? They can also become managers, patent attorneys, professors, or work in the financial sector. Exploring Careers in Electrical Engineering. By applying virtual reality technology to a wide range of training and educational purposes, institutions of higher learning are able to continuously improve, excite and innovate with new discoveries and modes of engaging learners. Electrical engineers typically do the following: Want to know if this major is a good fit for you? What does an electrical engineer do? Electrical engineers design, develop, test and manage the manufacturing of electrical equipment, from electric motors and navigation systems to power generation equipment and the electrical components of vehicles and personal devices. Today, the field of engineering offers more career choices than any other discipline! Entering the field of electrical engineering means that you can not only play an important role in the development of innovative new technology, but also have a profound impact on the electrical systems that we rely on in our every day lives. An engineer uses science, technology and math to solve problems.