Training as any sort of engineer is guaranteed to give you skills to set you up for life, but electrical and electronic engineers fall amongst society’s most important innovators. They’re responsible for cutting-edge technology and developing the systems, devices, and programs that we use every day.
Whether you’re thinking of studying electrical engineering at college or considering a total career change, it’s always worth knowing about the benefits and opportunities.
What is electrical and electronic engineering?
Electrical engineering is a specific field of engineering that concerns the design, study, and application of equipment and appliances that rely on electricity to work. As a profession, electrical engineering was first acknowledged when society started to become more commercialized, and as power was distributed on a wider scale.
Electrical engineers are also partially responsible for some of the most futuristic innovations in the world. Take Google’s new RT-2 robotics model as an example: this clever device blends AI technology with everything the experts already know about robots, creating a near-sentient machine.
What should I expect from working as an electrical engineer?
- Varied work: No two days as an electrical engineer will feel the same. You could be working in a family household in the morning and on your way to a large-scale industrial site after lunch. You’ll be responsible for creating and mastering the concepts that fix real-time electrical issues, restoring critical power to appliances and systems.
- Wide skill set: Along with applying your theoretical know-how on electrical practice, you’ll learn to use specialist equipment. And in addition to everyday exposure to the standard industry toolkit, you’ll gain expert knowledge on using specialized components like current transformers, semiconductors, and resistors.
- Product testing: If you’re designing new gadgets and electrical appliances, it’s likely that you’ll be among the first few people to use and test them too. This is the most exciting part of the job for many electrical engineers, since it can be the final step involved before a product reaches the hands of the consumer. You must ensure perfect safety and functionality in everything you make or repair.
- Problem-solving: Like many roles in the engineering sector, you’ll most likely be called out to help solve an issue. When you’re stuck on something for a few days, it’s normal for this element of the job to feel frustrating at times. The sense of achievement should be your focus, and if you’re confident in your line of work, you’ll know that you can achieve this every time.
How will electrical engineering change over the next few years?
Like all other industries, the future of electrical engineering largely depends on the advancement of the technologies it relies on. The smart grid is a topic across America, along with plenty of other potential ways to help us create renewable energy.
Over the next few years, we should expect many professional electrical engineers to turn their focus to renewable energy. And for electricians in training, modules might concentrate on the development of sustainable devices, tools, and techniques.
Overview
If you’re looking for a career that enables you to harness your practical and analytical skills, all while doing incredible things for society and for the planet too, then electrical engineering could be the perfect fit.
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