What degree do you need to be an Electrical Engineer?

I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelors of Electrical Engineering. It took me 4 years to get that degree with a lot of hard work.

In the Bay Area a Bachelors degree is usually good enough to get a job. However, the most important thing is to get as much experience outside of class with projects and internships as you can. When you get that additional experience you can be much more valuable to a company because you have real life engineering experience.

Some people decide to get their Masters degree which usually makes you more competitive than someone a bachelors degree. But a person with a bachelors degree and 1-2 years of project or internship experience can be more attractive than a person with a masters and no work experience. And a person with a Masters degree and the project or internship experience is usually really attractive to companies.

1. 
   

   You need a university degree in electrical or electronics engineering or in a related field of engineering.

   
   


2. 
   

   You may also need a master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering field.

   
   


3. 
   

   You need a licence from a provincial/territorial association of professional engineers to approve engineering drawings/reports and to practice as a professional engineer (P. Eng.).

   
   


4. 
   

   As an engineer, you are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and after passing a professional practice examination.

   
   


5. 
   

   With experience, you can move up the ranks to become a supervisor.

   
   


6. 
   

   Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree.

   
   

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program is the first step to becoming an electrical systems engineer. In addition to receiving a general education, students take electronic systems and energy conversion classes. CAD courses can teach students how to use computer software to calculate power requirements and test the performance of a system. Electrical engineering programs may include courses in electromagnetics, electronics and statistics. Bachelor's degree programs in computer engineering are usually acceptable to employers as well.

Success Tip:

Take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Engineering graduates are eligible to take the first exam required to become licensed engineers. Those who pass this exam become known as engineer interns or engineers in training (EITs) and can start gaining the experience needed to take the second exam.
Step 2: Consider Earning a Master's Degree
Some employers prefer candidates who have completed a master's degree program in electrical engineering. Graduate programs may allow students to focus their studies in electronic circuits, communications or many other areas. Course topics may include embedded systems, systems engineering and digital signal processing.

Additionally, earning a master's degree can open up opportunities for employment in academia. Some schools may offer a combined bachelor's and master's degree program that can be completed in five years.

Step 3: Gain Experience
Entry-level positions typically include working under the supervision of an experienced engineer as well as on-the-job and in-class training. New hires may assist with collecting data on electrical system requirements, determining the efficiency of power generators and conducting field surveys to identify power system problems. Gaining experience can lead to mid-level engineering jobs and help an engineer get closer to obtaining an engineering license.

Step 4: Get an Engineering License
EITs with four years of work experience are eligible to take the second part of the licensing exam. EITs who successfully complete the exam become licensed PEs. Keep in mind that each state has different guidelines for PEs, so prospective engineers should check with their state board for more details.

States may require PEs to participate in continuing education activities to keep their licenses. Each state has different statutes and renewal periods.

Success Tip:

Find out what continuing education options are accepted by the state board and begin earning hours. Each state may have a different list of what counts as continuing education hours, but some common options include completing college courses, authoring papers and completing self-study programs. PEs may also wish to join an organization that offers continuing education courses.
Step 5: Advance to a Supervisory Position
Engineers who have enough experience and expertise may be qualified to supervise other engineers or manage engineering projects. Experienced engineers may also parlay their technical skills into a sales engineering job.