What Can You Do With An Electrical Engineering Degree?

electrical engineering programs

In the world of academics, electrical engineering is the study of how electronic equipment is created and manufactured. With the ever-growing use of technology around the world, the electrical engineering industry is expanding as well. So the question that remains is this:

“What can I do with a degree in electrical engineering?”

Areas of Study in Electrical Engineering

While attending a college or university for electrical engineering, you will encounter various areas of study within the field. These areas are meant for your exploration in order to steer you in the direction of your desired career path. Areas of study within electrical engineering programs may include but are not limited to those in the list provided here.

Electronics

Microelectronics

Control systems

Power engineering

Digital computers

Telecommunications

How to Get an Electrical Engineering Degree

If you’re looking to enter the field of electrical engineering right out of high school, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Colleges and universities tend to take not only your overall grade point average into consideration when assessing your application and transcripts; they also look at how well you scored in your mathematics and physical sciences courses. Admissions also take into account your ACT and SAT scores, so it is important that you take your studies seriously throughout your high school career in order to best prepare yourself for a future in electrical engineering.

Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree in electrical engineering or participate in the combined bachelors/masters degree program. With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering can be certain they will receive the attention they need in order to succeed in the engineering industry. Undergraduates take creative problem-solving approaches to issues within the classroom and apply them to real world situations. If entering from another college or university or upon completing a bachelors degree related to electrical engineering, graduate students are able to earn a masters degree in electrical engineering.

Tennessee Technology University’s College of Engineering allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a Mechatronics Concentration. The electrical engineering program is one of the largest programs in the university’s College of Engineering, and all 15 faculty members possess doctoral degrees in order to provide students with the background knowledge they need to enter and make progress in the field of electrical engineering. Graduate students can earn a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with the ability to focus their advanced studies in electrical and computer engineering. Students have the opportunity to join a chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in order to get an early start in interacting with people in their field of study, also.

The University of Arkansas has a College of Engineering with an outstanding Department of Electrical Engineering. This department invites students to take courses to discover more about engineering in advanced laboratories and excellent undergraduate research opportunities. The department also offers students the chance to study abroad in any of the applicable countries from India to Italy in order to gain a universal feel of the electrical engineering industry. In addition, the university also provides students with the choice of joining organizations such as the Arkansas Robotics Club and the school’s chapter of IEEE. At the University of Arkansas, students can find out how electrical engineering is applicable in biomedical machinery, designing computers, and more.

Careers in Electrical Engineering

Before graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, you should consider career options available to people with electrical engineering degrees in order to find a career that best fills your interests. In this section are various types of jobs you may qualify for once you earn a degree in electrical engineering.

Entry Level Careers in Electrical Engineering

With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and little to no experience in the field, newly graduated students may qualify for one or more of the positions below.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers create and improve the mechanical aspects of aerospace products, such as missiles, satellites, and air planes. Areas they may focus their work on include but are not limited to aircraft control systems, navigation, and flight mechanics. Aerospace engineers are particularly good at solving problems creatively in order to help design unique aerospace products with advanced and improved functions. Those seeking entry level positions typically have bachelor degrees in aerospace engineering or electrical engineering with excellent critical thinking skills.

Aerospace engineers can start out earning around $40,000 annually, depending on their education and experience levels.

Marine Engineer

marine engineer engineering jobs

Marine engineers assist in the development and maintenance of mechanical systems on board of various marine vessels including but not limited to submarines and cargo ships. They are sometimes required to travel on the ships to perform said maintenance over a certain period of time, and they can also work in shipyards. For an entry level position as a marine engineer, you need a bachelors degree in electrical engineering or in another related engineering field. Marine engineers need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently.

Marine engineers with little experience can earn around $42,000 or more annually.

Generator Technician

Generator technicians perform routine maintenance, inspections, and modifications on specific types of engines for machinery. They are also often responsible for part of the manufacturing and installation of these engines, as well. Generator technicians possess good problem-solving skills and are comfortable working in teams. A bachelors degree in mechanical or electrical engineering is highly beneficial for entry level positions.

Generator technicians can earn over $50,000 annually.

Advanced Careers in Electrical Engineering

Once you earn a few years of experience after earning a bachelors degree, or once you earn a masters or doctoral degree in electrical engineering, you may find that you qualify for one or both of the positions described here.

Information Systems Manager

Information systems managers are responsible for overseeing all computer systems at the company for which they work in order to ensure proper installation and functioning around the clock. They also check computer backup systems for accuracy and purchase tools and mechanical components when necessary, making sure budgets are adhered to. Information systems managers have outstanding leadership and communication skills in order to oversee multiple projects at once, and they possess years of experience in working with computer systems. These managers may have master degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering.

Information systems managers can earn over $85,000 annually, based on knowledge and experience levels.

Senior Telecommunications Engineer

Senior telecommunications engineers design, build, and often install telecommunication systems and machinery. They also analyze and test systems and machinery for accuracy, as well. Senior telecommunications engineers possess bachelor or master degrees in some form of engineering, including electronic engineering, and highly creative problem-solving skills as well as advanced mathematical skills. They also have more than five years of experience in the engineering field.

Senior telecommunications engineers can earn over $90,000 annually, depending on education and experience levels.

Companies that Hire People with Electrical Engineering Degrees

Many companies around the globe hire people with electrical engineering degrees. There are many jobs in which you can use the knowledge you gained from earning a bachelors or masters degree in electrical engineering. Some companies that hire people with degrees in electrical engineering are listed below.

Visionworks – various locations in the U.S.; hires positions for manufacturing engineers, telecommunications engineers, etc.

Re Vision Consulting, LLC – located in Sacramento, CA; develops hydrokinetic energy resources; hires positions for marine engineers

Chase Brass & Copper Co., LLC – located in Montpelier, OH; hires positions for casting process engineers, electrical engineers, etc.

Electric Power Systems, International – locations throughout eastern half of the U.S.; hires positions for project managers, various types of engineers, etc.

If you are passionate about electronics and how they work, then you should consider getting an electrical engineer degree. Make sure you do your research on schools and types of jobs available to people with electrical engineering degrees so you have a better idea of how to mold your education to fit your career goals.