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Ethan
Student
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Question
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Is being an Electrical Engineering fun or tiring? Is Electrical Engineering a good job for later down in life??
I am a high schooler doing a career project and need to ask two questions.
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Ben L
4
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Charlotte, North Carolina
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Ben’s Answer
Electrical engineering is definitely a fun area to work in, but at least in the last 10-20 years it's been becoming less interesting for a long term career. The field is focused on physical hardware (chips, electronics,) and signal processing (e.g., how radios, sonar, etc), and the number of companies who build physical devices is smaller than the companies who build software; for this reason the upward mobility and long term career options in EE are harder.
For me, I felt EE to be a bit limiting given that there was so much growth in software companies, so I switched to more software focus and then later did the MBA (for other reasons, but partially for increasing my career optionality).
Any technical degree is a great option to start with, and at least my experience has been that none of these choices are permanent, as long as you understand and put in the time to appreciate technology you will be able to do quite a few place!
For me, I felt EE to be a bit limiting given that there was so much growth in software companies, so I switched to more software focus and then later did the MBA (for other reasons, but partially for increasing my career optionality).
Any technical degree is a great option to start with, and at least my experience has been that none of these choices are permanent, as long as you understand and put in the time to appreciate technology you will be able to do quite a few place!
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Dan’s Answer
Ethan,
Electrical engineering is an exciting field that is as thrilling as it is demanding, just like any profession. Yet, I've found it to be consistently exhilarating and enjoyable because it's always evolving with new concepts and the projects are incredibly fascinating! As an electrical engineer, I've had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, from freight locomotives and public transit vehicles to steel production, automotive manufacturing, automatic weighing systems, weather monitoring systems, and even robotics. There's never a dull moment when you're constantly learning and adapting!
Of course, it can get exhausting when the hours pile up, the work environment isn't the best, or when you've been doing the same thing for too long and need a change of pace, just like in any profession. However, you can enhance your work satisfaction by taking the initiative at work to manage your time effectively and avoid overtime, steering clear of challenging individuals where possible, and considering a job or company switch when necessary. Over time, you'll acquire a myriad of personal and interpersonal skills that will help you manage stress and increase job satisfaction.
I've found electrical engineering to be incredibly engaging and enjoyable. Whenever I felt unsatisfied at a company, I didn't hesitate to switch to a different one. As an engineer, you can look forward to a rewarding salary and attractive benefits, and you'll be highly valued for your unique skills and training. You'll also have the flexibility to switch jobs when needed, particularly if you're dedicated and passionate about your career. There's even more flexibility if you're open to traveling or relocating to a different city or state. And if you ever get tired of engineering, there are related fields you can transition into, such as quality control, safety, a different industry, or even management.
In short, electrical engineering is a fantastic lifelong career choice.
Electrical engineering is an exciting field that is as thrilling as it is demanding, just like any profession. Yet, I've found it to be consistently exhilarating and enjoyable because it's always evolving with new concepts and the projects are incredibly fascinating! As an electrical engineer, I've had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, from freight locomotives and public transit vehicles to steel production, automotive manufacturing, automatic weighing systems, weather monitoring systems, and even robotics. There's never a dull moment when you're constantly learning and adapting!
Of course, it can get exhausting when the hours pile up, the work environment isn't the best, or when you've been doing the same thing for too long and need a change of pace, just like in any profession. However, you can enhance your work satisfaction by taking the initiative at work to manage your time effectively and avoid overtime, steering clear of challenging individuals where possible, and considering a job or company switch when necessary. Over time, you'll acquire a myriad of personal and interpersonal skills that will help you manage stress and increase job satisfaction.
I've found electrical engineering to be incredibly engaging and enjoyable. Whenever I felt unsatisfied at a company, I didn't hesitate to switch to a different one. As an engineer, you can look forward to a rewarding salary and attractive benefits, and you'll be highly valued for your unique skills and training. You'll also have the flexibility to switch jobs when needed, particularly if you're dedicated and passionate about your career. There's even more flexibility if you're open to traveling or relocating to a different city or state. And if you ever get tired of engineering, there are related fields you can transition into, such as quality control, safety, a different industry, or even management.
In short, electrical engineering is a fantastic lifelong career choice.