Colden
Advancing as a Electrition
I am currently working on my certificate in electrical, what are some careers I can go in to if choose to further my education such as AA Degree or Bachelors and what do you recommend?
#electrical-engineering #Electrical #Engineering
4 answers
Donald Rebstock
Donald’s Answer
G. Mark Stewart
G. Mark’s Answer
If you are training to become an electrician, you'll have a background in understanding electricity and electrical circuits, but don't think that limits you to electrical engineering. Basic principles of technology apply to many areas. You can feel free to continue education in any branch of engineering or for that matter, any technical field. I personally would recommend to you what I've recommended to many others, and that is to take a personality assessment questionnaire, such as RIASET. The reason I recommend that first is two-fold. It will tell you what you may be good at and cover more fields than you might otherwise consider. The other reason is that it will tell you how closely you match the personalities of people who are successful in those careers. I always tell students that you'll probably be good at what you like. Hard work is good, but working hard at something you like is fun. And very likely more productive.
Todd Stahlnecker
Todd’s Answer
Colden,
When you say that you're working on a certificate in electrical, I'll assume that you mean that you're working towards licensure as a journeyman electrician. In order to qualify for the test, you generally need 4 years of experience working as a apprentice electrician. During this time, you not only work but you also learn, study, often attend classes, and get paid as you do so. Some apprentice jobs provide very little in the way of training so either be selective about who you work for or take responsibility for your own training and education. You'll need a solid understanding of basic math, algebra, and some trigonometry if you want to go as far as you can. Learning to use and understand the NEC (National Electrical Code) is essential as well.
After obtaining your journeyman's license, then master electrician is the next stop. You generally need 2 additional years of work experience as a journeyman before qualifying to take the master's test. Both the journeyman's and the master's tests are difficult and they represent significant achievements. This can put you in a great position to transfer into electrical engineering and that's exactly the route I went. After working (15) years as a construction electrician, I switched over to engineering and took the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) and PE (Principals and practices of Engineering) tests. Arizona was the first state I received a PE license in.
My background as an electrician made me a better engineer in my opinion because I knew how buildings got built. I personally didn't get a degree as I took the FE and PE tests based upon my experience but pursuing a bachelors during your time working as an electrician would certainly slingshot your career path. I wish you well on your journey!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Exploring Career Paths in Electrical Engineering: Associate's Degree vs. Bachelor's Degree
Holding an Associate's Degree (AA) in Electrical Engineering opens up several exciting career paths:
1. Electrical Engineering Technician: This role involves collaborating with engineers to design, test, and oversee the production of electrical equipment.
2. Control Systems Technician: In this role, you'll install, maintain, and repair automated systems in diverse sectors such as manufacturing, energy production, and telecommunications.
3. Electrical Drafter: As an electrical drafter, you'll craft technical blueprints used in the construction and manufacturing of electrical equipment and wiring systems.
4. Field Service Engineer: This position allows you to provide on-site assistance for the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and equipment.
With a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, you can explore more advanced roles:
1. Electrical Engineer: As an electrical engineer, you'll design, develop, test, and supervise the production of electrical equipment.
2. Power Systems Engineer: This role focuses on designing and maintaining power distribution systems for buildings, cities, or even entire regions.
3. Automation Engineer: As an automation engineer, you'll design and implement automated systems to boost efficiency and productivity across various industries.
4. Renewable Energy Engineer: This job involves developing sustainable energy solutions like solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy systems.
Suggestion: If you're enthusiastic about progressing your career in electrical engineering, a Bachelor’s Degree can unlock more opportunities for higher-level positions with greater responsibilities and potentially higher salaries. This degree offers a deeper understanding of electrical engineering principles and allows for specialization in specific areas like power systems or automation.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
1. IEEE Xplore Digital Library: This digital library offers access to top-quality technical literature in engineering and technology.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides comprehensive information on job outlooks, salaries, educational requirements, and more for various occupations, including electrical engineering.
3. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): As a professional association, the IEEE is committed to advancing technology for humanity's benefit. Their resources offer valuable insights into trends and advancements in electrical engineering.
May God bless you!
James.