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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING By Michael D. Lemmon, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
While originally concerned with telegraphy and power generation, the scope of electrical engineering has broadened to a point where electrical engineers are required in the design and development of just about any engineering system. Electrical engineering originated in the 1880s and helped develop the technologies (telegraphy, power and light generation) at the heart of the industrial revolution. This branch of engineering may be narrowly defined as a profession concerned with the design, development and testing of electrical and electronic equipment. The scope of electrical engineering, however, has grown considerably to encompass applications well beyond the original concerns. Nearly every sector of society requires electrical or electronic devices. The revolutionary advances in computer and communication technologies have accelerated the rate at which electronic circuits are being used in applications that previously had little use for electrical engineering. Regulations on automobile emissions require more precise engine control--control that is achieved through the increased use of computers and other electronic devices. Even simple consumer appliances such as a coffee machine are making increased use of electronic devices in the name of convenience. Today, electrical engineers can be found in diverse areas ranging from traditional areas such as communications, electronic device fabrication and design, computer engineering and power generation, to modern areas such as automotive and aerospace systems, bio-engineering, software design and testing, consumer electronics/appliances and industrial manufacturing. Electrical engineering represents one of the most versatile of the engineering sciences. Another reason for an electrical engineer's versatility is the electrical engineering curriculum. It provides electrical engineers not only with the ability to move between application areas in response to shifts in the global economy but provides skills that allow them to understand the various ways in which electrical and electronic systems interact with mechanical, aerospace or chemical systems. The size of the profession and its growth potential are tangible indicators of the electrical engineer's importance to society. United States Department of Labor statistics estimate that electrical and electronic engineers held about 367,000 jobs in 1996, making electrical engineering the largest branch of engineering. Most jobs are centered in engineering and business consulting firms, electrical/electronic manufacturing, industrial machinery manufacturers, scientific instrument manufacturers and government agencies. Electrical engineers also are found in communications, public utilities, aerospace design and manufacturing, automotive design, and computer system design and development. The job outlook for electrical engineers is expected to increase 21 to 35 percent between 1996 and 2006. This strong employer demand is driven by the need to invest in talent to keep abreast of technological innovations essential for long-term competitive viability. Initial starting salaries for electrical engineers are better than average, with starting offers to graduates from one prominent midwestern university ranging from $38,000 to $54,800 for a BSEE, $40,000 to $59,000 for an MSEE, and $60,000 to $73,500 for new graduates holding a PhD (1996 figures). Professional organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) boast a membership of more than 330,000 with members in 150 countries. The publishing concerns of the IEEE include communications, signal processing, industrial systems, manufacturing, power and computers. Electrical engineers are in demand and their skills make them marketable in a wide range of application areas. The career path for an electrical engineer holding a BSEE degree can move in a variety of directions. Electrical engineering degrees provide a good starting point for certain non-engineering career tracks in medicine and business. In engineering, a starting electrical engineer can expect to work on open-ended problems in specific application areas. In business, Andrew Grove (Intel), Andrew Viterbi and Irwin Jacob (Qualcomm), David Packard and Bill Hewlett (Hewlett-Packard) can attest to the fact that electrical engineers are excellent entrepreneurs. Important attributes for success include strong analytical and problem solving skills, good communication skills, excellent computer skills and an ability to work well in small groups. At some point in your career, you will need to decide whether you will specialize in the technical work of your chosen application, move into management to provide the leadership required in bringing new product ideas to the market, shift into another application area or return to school for an advanced degree. Your undergraduate engineering education is only a starting point in your career. To retain your marketability it is essential to stay abreast of the latest developments in your field. Your employer may provide on-site courses. If so, take of advantage of them. The IEEE (www.ieee.org) provides a variety of continuing education services that can be essential in maintaining your technological edge. Join a professional organization and subscribe to its journals to see where the future of the field is going. Participate in or attend one of the numerous technical conferences where the latest advances in a specific branch of electrical engineering are presented. Take advantage of the continuing education programs offered by your local college. A career in electrical engineering can lead to a challenging and rewarding life. The challenge comes from working with the latest electrical technologies and continually learning new ideas and concepts. The reward comes from the design and development of products or services that can substantially improve society's quality of life. Career decisions of this type can be daunting, but if you enjoy learning new things and have an aptitude for math and science--and you enjoy building things and understanding the way they work--then a career in electrical engineering is a good option to consider. (This is a revision of an article that originally appeared in "Careers and the Engineer", Crimson & Brown Associates, Vol. 11, No. 2)  |
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