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Guide to College Majors in Electrical Engineering

Electricity is actually made up of extremely tiny particles called electrons, that you cannot see with the naked eye unless you have been drinking.
--Dave Barry

What is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical equipment. The broad field of electrical engineering involves working with all manners of electronic devices, from pocket calculators to supercomputers. Often overlapping with computer engineering, a college degree in electrical engineering can open up the door to a technical career in almost any industry. Since technology is always changing and expanding, the need for electrical engineers is always growing.

Like any other kind of scientist, electrical engineers must also know how to communicate their ideas to others in their field. A successful electrical engineer possesses not only an understanding of his area of concentration, but also a broad grasp of engineering in general. This is why most electrical engineering degree programs begin with the fundamentals of engineering itself. Once the student has mastered these fundamentals, she can start to focus on a specialty.

Electrical engineering students learn through a combination of design and lab work. This mix of theory and practical application allows students to think things through and then apply their ideas in a variety of real life situations. Students also learn to diagnose problems and develop a variety of solutions.

Online Degrees in Electrical Engineering

Since electrical engineering relies so heavily upon the use of computers, many colleges now offer electrical engineering degree programs online. This allows students to learn while working, and getting the chance to actually implement the kinds of technology that they will soon be designing or improving upon. Distance education also allows professionals already in the field to further their education without having to sacrifice their careers.

A typical electrical engineering curriculum spans the math and science worlds. Many programs include the following courses:

Integrated circuits and solid state devices - A major part of the entertainment and consumer appliance industries, this area focuses on new products like electronic controls for electronic games, home appliances, and navigation systems.
Robotics - Robotics engineers might work with artificial intelligence, design robotic arms or manipulate dangerous substances.
Power systems - This field deals with how power grids are set up and how generators work, as well as how to make energy more efficient.
Communications systems - These systems underlie basic television, radio, and telephone technology, as well as the more complex forms of wireless and laser transmission.
Computers - As computers come to dominate the engineering field, professionals must learn the ins and outs of digital systems, microprocessors, and all manner of computer hardware design and manufacturing.

Is Electrical Engineering Right for You?

If you enjoy taking things apart, seeing how they work, and then putting them back together again, electrical engineering might be a good career choice for you. If you've often wondered what makes your computer compute and you have a strong interest in math and science, an engineering degree should be a serious consideration.

Electrical engineers aren't just "techies." While engineers often work in the technology services arena, their tasks range from designing and building medical equipment to working for the military or Department of Defense. Contrary to popular belief, electrical engineers don't just sit in their labs alone, tinkering with their latest invention. Electrical engineers often work in groups, so a great deal of teamwork is required from them.

Career Education in Electrical Engineering

Planning for your career as an electrical engineer

When preparing to enter the field of electrical engineering, most students usually start with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Many campus-based and online colleges and universities offer this entry-level degree.

Most engineering students don't stop their schooling after obtaining a BS. Earning a master's degree in a specialized engineering field is very common, and some students continue on for their PhD in order to be eligible to teach at the college level.

Electrical Engineering Degree Programs

Moat electrical engineers graduate with specialties in one or two areas of study. However, for students still exploring their options, many programs offer general courses of study. These programs do not require students to choose a concentration until they reach the late undergraduate or graduate level. Engineering students who want to try different specializations on for size can enroll in targeted certificate programs. As more people decide to embark on new careers later in life and as the demand for electrical engineers increases, online degree programs in electrical engineering have increased in popularity. These e-learning courses offer essential flexibility to students who already have careers and families, but want to continue their education.

Certificate Programs in Electrical Engineering

On-campus and online certificate programs target people with some experience in the field of general engineering, who want to learn a specific new skill within that field. Many companies enroll their employees in certificate programs in order to improve performance. Certificate programs are available in many areas, including:

Wireless communications
Electromagnetics
Electronics
Control systems
Signal processing
Computer engineering
Electrical insulation
Biomedical engineering

Each specialty requires a different degree of experience, so be sure to carefully research the requirements before beginning a class.

Associate's Degrees in Electrical Engineering

Associate's degrees are most beneficial for students who want to complete their education quickly so they can enter the workforce. The average associate's degree in electrical engineering can take as little as two years, providing enough training to begin an entry-level job in many industries, including:

Communications
Electronics
Medical equipment
Power
Automation

Associate's degrees are often popular with employees who want to advance within their own company, since many companies prefer to promote from within. Instead of focusing on a specialty, these programs provide a basic understanding of electrical engineering mechanics, circuitry, and industrial systems. Some of them add a vocational emphasis, such as electronics engineering technology, that allow the student to seek employment in a specific trade or technology.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree programs in electrical engineering offer students a comprehensive understanding of the math and physics at the heart of their profession. In laboratories and at drawing boards, engineering majors concentrate on:

Computer programming
Engineering economy
Numerical analysis
Engineering mechanics
Electrical circuits
Thermodynamics
Engineering materials

Later in the program, usually during senior year, students may choose an area of concentration within the field, such as power systems or microwave engineering. These degree programs typically last four years, or eight semesters.

Many BS degree programs in electrical engineering offer job placement programs, with students working in the field as early as their junior year. This hands-on training provides a valuable head start in a field where experience can matter more than formal education. A bachelor's in electrical engineering can prepare you for a career in almost any industry, from entertainment to robotics.

Engineering majors may generally transfer course credits (including associate's degrees) from one college to another, as long as they earned sufficiently good grades at their previous institutions. In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, students usually must maintain a grade point average of 3.0, especially in their upper-division classes.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

The Master of Science in electrical engineering is more specialized than the bachelor's degree, usually focusing on a particular specialty such as digital systems or electronics. Students must still meet a set of program-specific guidelines in order to graduate. Master's degree candidates often work under a faculty mentor or advisor while participating in any available assistantships or fellowships. Many online electrical engineering programs appeal to working professionals who wish to further their careers by gaining graduate degrees, but can't afford to leave their jobs to study.

In order to prepare for a possible career in engineering research, graduate engineering students often assist faculty members with their own research. Funding from large corporations and from government agencies provides additional grant money to deserving students.

Applicants must meet specific requirements before they can enroll in a typical graduate program in electrical engineering. Most programs will require a bachelor's degree in the same discipline or a combination of a related degree and significant professional experience. Students with degrees outside the engineering field must also pass proficiency exams, usually with a B or higher.

Doctorates in Electrical Engineering

As a terminal degree, the doctorate of electrical engineering is reserved for those professionals who wish to make significant contributions, usually through research, to furthering the field of electrical engineering. Candidates pursuing this degree usually teach at the university level or become high-level industrial researchers. Engineers who earn this degree are expected to contribute significantly toward the advancement of engineering knowledge.

What can you do with a College Major in Electrical Engineering?

Career options for aspiring electrical engineers

A degree in electrical engineering can qualify you to pursue a job in almost any industry you can think of. After all, nearly everyone uses electricity and electrical devices, so industries demand skilled professionals to build, repair, and improve these devices. Electrical engineers work in businesses such as:

Scientific research and development firms
Electrical component manufacturing companies
Power generation, distribution, and transmission
Manufacturers of navigation controls, medical equipment, and measurement devices
Architectural firms

Although these industries employ the most engineers, they may not be right for everyone. Electrical engineering majors enjoy many options, more than enough for any student to find a job in a field he loves. The following job titles represent only a handful of the choices available:

Research engineers work in the lab, testing and inventing. This job requires a high level of creativity on the part of the engineer, as well as a great deal of patience. Whether inventing a new optoelectronic device or simply designing a better electric can opener, research engineers are responsible for the discovery-stage technology behind any new electronic product.
Once a new technology is invented, it must be applied. The design engineer uses computer simulations and models to turn innovations like wireless technology into the tiny parts that make up an actual cell phone. Design engineers must visualize how the insides of a future product could look, while inventing several possible scenarios for the applications of new technologies.
The project engineer oversees many specialist engineers throughout the construction of a working prototype of a new product or technology. The project engineer must have natural leadership ability, as well as a high proficiency in a variety of electrical engineering disciplines.
Test engineers design programs to check the functions of electronic devices and to troubleshoot those devices when things go wrong. They keep technology working properly, and understand which elements to test and in what order. Successful test engineers remain sharp, even after long hours on the job.
Power grids, phone lines, and wireless networks all require the skills of a system engineer for proper installation and maintenance. Keen attention to detail is important for graduates who enter this profession. Experienced system engineers rely on their ability to think holistically about the systems they create.
Application engineers work with whatever resources are available, adapting existing equipment and technologies to fulfill the needs of their employers. They need to be resourceful, while counting on their deep understanding of the capabilities and the potential modifications of existing equipment.

Salary Expectations for Electrical Engineers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for electrical engineers stood at $75,930 in 2006, with the top 10% coming in at over $115,000 per year. Electrical engineering is the largest segment of the engineering population, with 291,000 professionals employed in the U.S. in 2006. The number of jobs available for electrical engineers in the U.S. has been predicted to increase by about 5% in the coming decade.

Certification and Licensure

Though the law does not require electrical engineers to maintain a license, professional certification does make job-hunting much easier. Because governments and federal contractors require licensure, most engineers follow the licensing procedures in their home states. Students can learn about each state's varying requirements while enrolled in their degree programs.

In general, engineers must pass a thorough examination to receive their licenses. In order to apply for a license, an engineer must already have completed a minimum number of years on the job. Engineers just entering the workforce can register for pre-licensure certification. Once they have earned enough work experience, they may apply for actual licensure.

Many trade and professional associations for engineers help professionals make connections and share ideas. These organizations offer seminars, luncheons, and job fairs so engineers can explore their options and keep current on the latest trends in their field.