Why should you think about a career in electrical engineering?
Electrical engineering is a sector that focuses on the study, design and creation of equipment that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. The electrical industry will always need more people to innovate and develop new creations, so why would you overlook this sector?
The demand for engineers is apparent in almost every engineering sector, however, electrical engineering remains one of the most popular. There are jobs available in a range of different sectors and industries and here’s why you should think about a career in electrical engineering.
What is electrical engineering?
Electrical engineering is all about the design, construction and building of electrical devices. This type of engineering all began with ‘the implementation of Michael Faraday's Law of Induction, which essentially states that the voltage in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change in the magnetic field through the circuit.’ (Livescience.com;2021)
Engineers working within the electrical sector can have a wide variety of different roles. They’re needed to design, plan, and supervise multiple projects, which means there is demand for a lot of different skills. You may be used to employers saying that ‘there is never a boring day’ but when it comes to electrical engineering, they might just be right. You may find yourself with different tasks every day and going off to different locations to help with a new idea or project.
The job roles can be adaptable and more often than not, employers want someone who can be flexible and have a ‘go with it’ attitude.
Why is this the sector for you?
Your skills can be transferable – Employers want diversity. They want people to come in from different backgrounds and bring a fresh mind set with them. It’s important to have skills, but innovation craves the differences from people. They need new ideas and new ways of working in order to achieve goals. So, whether you are new to the engineering sector or you are looking to find a new role within electrical, there is probably a place for you.
It’s a creative sector – If you’re a creative person and you have a lots of ideas, electrical can give you the opportunity to voice these ideas and work in a great team to help you achieve these.
There’s demand - There’s a huge benefit to the large demand for electrical engineers - the need is worldwide. You’ll are likely to have plenty of opportunities to travel and work remotely. A lot of electrical engineering jobs allow you to work in various places a few times a year too. If this element is of interest to you, it’s worth asking employers about travel in the interview stages.
It’ll never get boring - New electrical devices (industry and consumer based) are invented and created every day. More often than not, as soon as something goes to market, businesses are looking for the next big thing or a way to make the existing model better. Ideas are changed and new ideas for improvement and further innovation are always needed, and you’ll have a good time by being part of the next pioneering piece of technology.
What skills are needed for a career in electrical engineering?
- The ability to analyse problems and find solutions quickly using both theory and practical solution methods
- Organisational, communication and teamwork skills
- To be able to design and explain your designs clearly to people who won’t always understand your thought process
- Be aware of budgets and manage them well
- Understand the latest health and safety (and security) regulations in your workplace
- Patience and perseverance
- Be able to work to tight deadlines
Consider all of your options
Not every job is perfect, and a career in electrical engineering is no exception. The hours may be long sometimes to ensure deadlines are met. There are also a lot of complex tasks that are undertaken, so a well-focused mind is essential. However, when you enjoy your work, the hours put in can be very rewarding. Just like any job, there can be overtime and tough moments, but if engineering is the career for you, you’ll look past these things.
There’s a decent salary involved depending on the industry and your level of experience. On average an experienced (and chartered) electrical engineer can earn around £45,000 a year. If you want to be more specialised, you may need further qualifications. Some colleges offer distance learning courses as the sector is primarily IT focused. The IET is also a great resource for information, courses, and contacts for the electrical engineering sector.
There’s a good element of job security in the world of electrical engineering. The industry might have a demand for fresh thinking, but there’s an equal demand for experience and skills that you’ll only be able to acquire on the job. You have transferable skills, so why don’t you take the next step. Do you think electrical engineering might be the right career move for you? Click here to see the electrical engineering roles currently advertised on E&TJ.