Do you love physics and are keen to solve problems with new experiments related to electricity and electronic systems? Then you may enjoy life as an electrical engineer. Experienced electrical engineer Janakiraman L. discusses everything about the electrical engineer career path to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
1. Electrical Engineer Career Path: What does an Electrical Engineer do?
To get a better understanding of the electrical engineer career path, let’s see what an electrical engineer does. Basically, electrical engineer deals with electricity, electromagnetism and electronic systems. Their work consists of
- preparing electrical design drawings using AutoCAD, EPlan software’s, etc.
- power system analysis using ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program), SKM, PSCAD, PSS/E software’s, etc.
- preparing design records
- sizing electrical power equipment like a transformer, cable, generator, etc.
Also, it includes working with, setting up, or maintaining control systems, telecommunications, signal processing, satellite systems, and much more.
Contents: Jump to Section
1.2 Social Image
1.3 Reasons to Become an Electrical Engineer
2.2 Physical Demands
2.3 Psychological Demands
3.2 Related Hobbies to Take Up
3.3 Related Movies/ TV Shows
3.4 Related Fiction to Read/ Novels
4.2 Traveling Required
4.3 Average Workday/What to Expect
5.2 Threats from Automation
5.3 Common Reasons for People to Quit
1.1 Industry/Sector
Power sectors, private and government industries
When you choose the electrical engineer career path, there is no limit to employment opportunities. You can get employment in various companies from the government to private industries and power sectors. Some of the industries that hire electrical engineers are oil and gas companies, power generation companies, automation industries, aerospace industries, electronic industries, and product development companies.
1.2 Social Image
Highly respected
In India, most of the students choose engineering as their profession as it is considered highly respected. Though when it comes to choosing the electrical engineer career path, people consider this as one of the most respected professions after lawyers and doctors.
1.3 Reasons to Become an Electrical Engineer
Great salary and other great benefits
Becoming an electrical engineer can give some awesome benefits like a good salary, medical insurance, education compensation, and so on. Though the electrical engineer career path demands logical, realistic, creative, analytical thinking skills, and curiosity to learn new things. These key traits can help to reach your desired position in the electrical engineering field.
2. What It Takes to Be an Electrical Engineer
2.1 Personality Traits Required/ Preferred
Curious, creative, problem-solving
The following personality traits are required for this profession:
- Logical reasoning
- Creativity
- Basic technical knowledge
- Knowledge of the electrical design software
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical skills, etc.
The primary trait one needs in order to take up the electrical engineer career path is good communication skills plus logical and intellectual thinking. A career in electrical engineering requires a curious mind that is regularly trying to learn something new about their field. The ones with an investigative attitude are the best suited for the field of electricity and technology systems. So, you need to be very practical and persistent, too.
2.2 Physical Demands
Long working hours
In this profession, engineers need to work continuously on computers and systems, so you need to sit for long hours. Plus, it’s also important to maintain an active lifestyle and a healthy body. You have to be dedicated and committed to your career. Also, you should have good speaking and listening skills, as well as good eyesight to see objects from a distance. As you choose the electrical engineer career path, your mathematics skills are a must to take quick measurements and calculations.
2.3 Psychological Demands
Stressful deadlines
Yes, the career of an electrical engineer can be stressful sometimes but in most jobs, you won’t have any targets or pressure from top authorities. Mostly meeting deadlines can give you stress, but as long as you are dedicated, nothing matters. With full focus and concentration, you can handle any difficult situation in your job.
3. How to Build Interest in the Electrical Engineering Career Path
3.1 Extra-Curricular Activities Recommended
If you are considering taking up a career as an electrical engineer, you can have creative hobbies, for example, maths, computer programming, investigative games. Or try building small circuits at home as your mini-project. In this profession, the more you learn, the more you gain knowledge and that will help you achieve your path.
Here are some of the software you can also learn:
- AutoCAD Electrical
- Simulink
- Proteus
- PSpice
- OrCad
3.2 Related Hobbies to Take Up
- Create a small circuit.
- Read technology-related magazines.
- Develop communication skills through debates, personality courses, or speaking activities.
- Analytical and logical skills.
3.3 Related Movies/ TV Shows
Tron, Avenger series
You can watch any movies that are related to electrical systems and technology like:
- Forbidden Planet
- Tron
- Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
- Flash of Genius
- Iron Man trilogy
- Flight of Phoenix, etc.
3.4 Related Books to Read
Here are some books you may enjoy reading:
- Electricity in Your Life by Bo-Hyun Seo
- Electronic devices and circuits by David A Bell
- Electromagnetic theory by Sadiku/Hayt
4. Life as an Electrical Engineer
4.1 Part-Time Options
Yes
Electrical design jobs are almost always full-time. Although, you can become a self-employed professional like a college professor, or take up related freelance jobs like Electrical AutoCAD design, Electrical Wiring Diagram, etc. This will help you to build your portfolio or meet prospective clients or employees.
4.2 Travelling Required
Rarely; depends on your job.
Travelling is very rare when you choose the electrical engineer career path. However, depending on your job profile, you may have to travel to different sites to explore and investigate the location for the new project setup.
4.3 Average Workday/ What to Expect in the Electrical Engineering Career Path
Generally, electrical engineers have desk jobs, and working hours around 8-9 hours. It includes team meetings, CAD drawings, working on different projects, and so on. And, highly skilled electrical engineers spend their time reading IEEE papers for updates on the latest design projects. They make research papers and other technical-related papers for further use.
Electrical engineers often have to do overtime while working on major projects or to meet deadlines.
5. Future of the Electrical Engineering Career Path
5.1 Retirement Prospects
65-70 years age
Mostly, electrical engineers work till the age of around 65-70 years depending on their company’s retirement policy. After retirement, some even join electrical engineering institutes where they teach as faculty members. Also, you can work as a building consultant, technical writer, design supervisor, product tester, and so on.
5.2 Threats from AI & Automation
No
No, as per the latest news, there are no threats from AI and automation for a profession like electrical engineering. It can’t replace engineers, but it can help them creating advanced technologies with endless systems and techniques. This profession can be highly assisted by automation like 3D Modeling and design drawings. Also, it is creating new work opportunities and field of research for robotics.
5.3 Common Reasons for People to Quit the Electrical Engineering Career Path
It mostly depends upon a person, when they find electrical engineering is becoming stressful with its daily work routine and they just want to settle in their own life, they may want to quit this career. Some common reasons for people to quit this profession are the functional roles and responsibilities that come with the electrical engineer career path like:
- They joined without passion.
- They don’t have the basic technical knowledge.
- Long working hours may create an unbalanced work life.
- Another reason to change their profession is that the salaries are low compared to long working hours.
- Also, not finding any appropriate projects in their city.
These reasons lead people to change their profession. But, if you are honestly focused and committed to your goals, you can achieve success in any profession without many difficulties.
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Curated & Edited by Aayushi Berawala (CareerNuts Staff)
Read next:
How to Become an Electrical Engineer in India: Is it Rewarding?
Do you have a deep found interest in electrical stuff and gadgets and want to know how to become an electrical engineer? Find out all you need to know!
Janakiraman L. is an Electrical Design Engineer with three years of experience. He is currently working as an Assistant Manager-Electrical at Tata Consulting Engineer Limited, Bangalore. During his career, he has worked in industries projects and power plant projects, etc. I have also experience in electrical software like AutoCAD, ETAP and Dialux.
He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics from Adhiparasakthi Engineering College, Anna University, Chennai, in 2017. In his free time, he enjoys reading books, build circuit design and travelling.
It was a helpful explanation when you told us that an electrical engineer is in charge of preparing the electrical design and sizing the electrical power equipment involved in the system. I’m getting a condominium building constructed starting later this year, so we need to hire an electrical industrial engineer to work on the electrical layout we need for the building. I’ll keep this in mind while I look for an engineer to get in touch with soon for our project needs.