Become an Electrical Engineer
By Eric Hammer
As with any engineering job, those who wish to become an electrical
engineer will need to earn a degree in engineering. In the case
of an electrical engineer, you will be working at designing new
and better electronics.
Typically, you'll work on computers to create the designs
for these devices and then you will turn them into prototypes
for use in the field. For example, an electrical engineer was
probably heavily involved in the creation of the new iPad 2 tablet
computer since it's basically an engineering problem.
You need to know quite a bit about math and science in order
to do this job and you need to have a good imagination to be
able to come up with ideas for new products and new ways of doing
things that no one has ever thought of before.
How Much Can You Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary
for an electrical engineer in 2008 was $88,670.
Ways to Make More | Related Opportunities
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For those who wish to become an electrical engineer, the future
seems bright. US News and World Report recently wrote that electrical
engineering is one of the fastest growing professions in the
United States and that it is a very well paid profession as well.
You do however need to be fast on your toes and you need to
be able to learn new things since electrical engineers work on
the cutting edge of technology at all times. You should also
look into getting an internship if at all possible so that you
can gain firsthand experience. While you'll need a degree for
this job, most companies also value those with experience.
Of course, if you like some aspects of the concept of electrical
engineering, such as the design aspects, you could also consider
the possibility of becoming a different kind of engineer. Most
engineering degrees are well paid today and many are in great
demand, including computer engineering and nuclear engineering.
Qualifications / Requirements
You'll need at least a bachelor's degree and often a master's
degree as well in order to become an electrical engineer. Engineering
schools are also highly competitive with limited slots so your
scores in math and science need to be excellent if you want to
get into a good school.
First Steps
Start by applying to an electrical engineering school. There
are a number of them in the United States and any of them will
do the job. While in school, look for internship opportunities
to increase your chances of landing a job once you graduate.
Resource
Electrical Designer Guide - A good introduction
to what it takes to become an electrical engineer.
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