collageElectrical engineering degrees incorporate rigorous coursework in STEM, including mechanics, power systems, circuitry, physics, and programmable logic. With the rise of technology, many different employers need professionals proficient in designing and maintaining electrical systems and equipment. Electrical engineers can provide critical skills in diverse areas, including medical and military environments.
Many electrical engineering jobs are projected to grow in the coming years, and a lot of these positions offer high salaries.
Regardless of setting, electrical engineers should be adept at technical communication, design, research methods, and project management. They hone these skills in an academic environment. Electrical engineers are organized, driven, and typically possess a natural inclination towards math and science.
Electrical Engineering Career Outlook
The electrical engineering field is not growing as rapidly as some other STEM areas, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) still projects that more than 10,000 new electrical and electronics engineer positions will be created between 2019 and 2029. This translates to 3% growth, which is roughly in line with the national average for all occupations.
Entry-level electrical engineering careers available with an associate degree provide median wages of $45,000-$72,0000 per year. However, experienced and well-educated electrical engineers tend to earn over $100,000 annually. A worker’s education and experience have a significant impact on their potential earnings.
Although numbers don’t indicate a rapidly growing field, as technologies advance and become even more essential, the need for effective electrical engineers should continue.
| JOB TITLE | ENTRY-LEVEL (0-12 MONTHS) | EARLY CAREER (1-4 YEARS) | MIDCAREER (5-9 YEARS) | EXPERIENCED (10-19 YEARS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $69,260 | $77,640 | $92,970 | $110,150 |
| Electrical Engineer | $66,480 | $71,620 | $84,370 | $98,050 |
| Controls Engineer | $64,680 | $71,090 | $82,440 | $90,750 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer | N/A | $92,730 | $98,700 | $107,450 |
Source: PayScale
Skills Gained With a Electrical Engineering Degree
rospective electrical engineers enroll in academic programs to develop core competencies and learn about the opportunities the industry offers skilled professionals. Engineering curricula center on math and science, with students taking required classes in calculus, differential equations, and physics.
Students apply this knowledge to analyze electrical circuits, explore engineering designs, and write code using languages like Python and C++. College programs also train candidates in transferable soft skills, such as those related to communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. After graduation, electrical engineers can gain specialized skills by taking continuing education courses and earning professional certificates.
Technical Communication
Because electrical engineers often work within multidisciplinary teams, they must be able to translate complex theories and methods to nontechnical audiences. To this end, students develop the ability to effectively communicate in oral and multimedia forms. They also learn to write cogently with regard to industry standards, producing research reports, technical documents, and academic papers.
Computer Engineering
This concentration synthesizes electrical engineering and computer science concepts, training students to develop and manufacture computer hardware and smart devices. Candidates take classes like digital electronics systems design, advanced computer architecture, and multiprocessor synchronization. They also delve into machine intelligence and cybersecurity. A computer engineering concentration prepares students for careers as network architects, information security analysts, and computer programmers.Biomedical Engineering
By pursuing this concentration, students learn to apply electrical engineering principles to transform human-made products and materials. Coursework includes foundations of living systems, instrumentation design, and biotransport processes. Biomedical engineers design new drugs, medical implants, medical equipment, and genetically engineered organisms. In addition to biotechnology, these professionals may work in industries like business, law, and healthcare.Engineering Management
A popular concentration for graduate students, engineering management combines technical proficiencies with skills in leadership and project management. Learners complete classes in continuous quality assessment, budgeting and financial management, and marketing communications. They also learn to effectively manage diverse teams and resolve conflicts. This concentration trains students for positions as senior engineers, production managers, and engineering consultants.Communications
Within the context of electrical engineering, communications deal with processing, transmitting, and storing information in systems with finite capacities. Students learn to analyze and transform EKG signals, sound signals, images, and videos. They also examine topics like advanced biometrics, coding and information theory, and engineering optimization techniques. A communications concentration prepares candidates to work in the telecommunications and robotics industries.Energy Resources
This relatively new concentration encompasses the production and distribution of energy systems. Students take classes like sustainable electric energy conversion, solar thermal power systems, and wind energy engineering. They also learn to develop more efficient control systems that can extract oil and other fossil fuels while limiting damage to the environment.
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