Engineering is the branch of science that deals with planning, designing, and building the idea into reality. The diversification of engineering is done into various sub-engineering, called branches. For example, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Aerospace, Chemical, Computer Science are a few branches of engineering. Let’s see Is Electrical Engineering a Good Career?.
Electrical Engineering is the branch of engineering which deals with the study and application of all the electrical components and electricity. The electrical engineers work in the environment, including electrical power stations, electricity distribution stations, Power Plants, Manufacturing and production plants, automation plants, railways, and much more. The electrical engineering course is designed to see the electrical scenario of the world in mind. Let say government agency or private, electrical engineers can never go out of fashion no matter what, as the world cannot even imagine itself without electricity even for a second. The primary curriculum for electrical engineers involves machines, control systems, power electronics, digital electronics, mathematical tools used to solve the typical signal and systems, and much more. All the areas of electrical engineering have the utmost application to real life. If the branch has an immense application in the real world, why would it not have a promising career? They are known to have one of the best careers in the world.
Why Electrical Engineer?
The world is seeing an advancement in technology, as technology is the only sector proliferating. Due to this reason, electrical engineering will always be in high demand, no matter what or which era we live in. More and more industries demanded electrical engineers in their departments to develop and understand the electrical control system. Our current generation is seeking an alternative to cleaner and replacement of the current fuel to generate electricity. The only engineers we can seek are electrical engineers. Seeing the high demand for electrical advancement and the engineers, the salary also hiked for them. Electrical engineers initiate their careers at high wages compared to teachers and arts graduates. Moreover, continuous future technologies and innovation will keep electrical engineers on their feet, as their need is limited to industries and sectors like healthcare and infrastructure.
How can one become an Electrical Engineer and Career Path after that?
Becoming electrical engineering is as tricky as becoming any other engineer. An engineer requires a thorough understanding of concepts not only theoretically but also practically. They need practical training and a habit to ask why and how about everything. The electrical engineer should always be enthusiastic about learning things, but how to become an electrical engineer? This is the central question. Becoming an electrical engineer requires the following steps:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree
They are titled electrical engineers when awarded a bachelor’s degree in the electrical branch. Various programs should accredit the university that awards the degree. Out of which few important ones are Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Enrolled students have to complete various minor and major projects, internships, training, and laboratory work to complete the degree. In general, a full-time bachelor’s degree course is designed for four years. Almost every Multinational Companies (MNCs) and government jobs hire graduate electrical engineers.
Graduation with a Masters Degree
Those graduates interested in the further specialization of electrical engineering opt for a master’s degree program. For electrical engineers, the domains are mainly in power systems, power electronics, Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), and Control systems. The preference of post-graduation is by those candidates who want to pursue higher study or join the field of technical teaching; further, an engineer can extend the master’s degree to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Engineering Exam
Candidates have to clear various engineering level exams to get into different jobs at the private and government levels. Clearing the exams entitles the candidate to employment in the field of electrical engineering.
Career Paths
The career paths of an electrical engineer are versatile in the government as well as the private sector. They can find suitable employment in almost every type of industry. An electrical engineer can go ahead in his career as:
Engineering Service
Engineering services is an all-India engineering examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and is the highest exam level for the engineers at the central government level. The exam recruits the candidates for the officer post in the technical field for the government of India.
The Fundamental of Engineering (F.E) Exam
To become a professional engineer in the United States, the graduate engineer has to pass the examination. After which, they become a licensed professional engineer.
Railways
As railways switched from steam engines to electric engines, the demand for electrical engineers increased drastically in railways. Earlier railways used electricity just for lighting and illumination for railway stations, but today this is not the case. From electrifying the whole railway engine and bogeys to ventilating the station, everything uses electricity. Moreover, the new generation is moving to more automated technologies, like automatic trains, intelligent stations, and more, which also need electrical engineers. To maintain and supervise the electrical system, electrical engineers have a great scope in the railways.
Aerospace
Electrical engineers will indeed have a scope wherever electricity or its relation will be there. Aerospace, a field that is impossible without electrical engineers, makes a great career opportunity for engineers. They work on communication systems, satellite and propulsion, and many more.
Automotive Industry
According to the Society of Motor Manufacture and Traders, the automotive industry is worth more than 77 billion euros per year. This industry also has a high demand for electrical engineers in permanent as well as contractual positions. The designing and concept phase, where any automobile takes its initial structure, that phase too cannot be completed without an electrical engineer. The production line, electrical Maintenance line, and every piece of machinery require specifically electrical engineers to care for the industry.
Transmission and Distribution Station
The substations are handled and managed by a team of electrical engineers. In general, a group consists of junior engineers, senior engineers, and executive engineers. The efficient methods for the operations and process are the responsibility of the engineers only. This is treated as one of the best career options for any electrical engineer, where they can learn the things of their field and get a chance to excel.
Architecture and Construction Field
Civil engineers and architects make wonderful creations by working together, but they also need electrical engineers to complete their work. The responsibility of electrical engineers is to support the whole electrical system at the construction site. Once the project is finished, electrical engineers must maintain the electrical system, as the scenario needs continuous supervision. Without management, a minor electrical fault can lead to a severe hazard.
Giants to Recruit Electrical Engineers
Engineers always have various career choices; they can be government officials, titled with great responsibility at a private firm, or start their own business in their field. Various private giants hire electrical engineers for critical roles for their companies. A few of the companies are:
- BMW Group
- Mercedes Benz
- Tata Group
- Apple
- Jacobs Engineering Group
- Pfizer
- NASA
And many more companies like that provide tempting job opportunities by which engineers can boost their careers.
Conclusion
Electrical engineers play one of the vital roles in modern society, as the world is moving towards smart cities, automation, and artificial intelligence. In a single decade, the world grew its demand for electrical engineers, making electrical engineer one of the best career options. Moreover, the national average wage of an electrical engineer is comparatively higher than any other similar job profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the minimum requirement to become an electrical engineer?
To become an electrical engineer, one should be a graduate from a recognized and accredited university.
- What is the average wage of an electrical engineer?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average wage for an electrical engineer is 101,600 dollars per year.
- Can electrical engineers work in different countries as well?
Yes, the career of an electrical engineer is not limited to their countries. They can pursue their career option abroad as well.
