Are you struggling to figure out what the right career path is for you? Does it seem like all your friends have managed to find that ideal path and they are now pursuing their career dreams? Even though it can seem like everyone around you has it together, the fact is that choosing a career path can be very difficult and deserves its fair share of thought and consideration. There’s also the fact you need to be aware of what is in demand, what career is growing, and what will continue to offer opportunities into the future.
Here we’ll take a closer look at a career in electrical engineering. If this is a career you’ve been toying with in the back of your mind but haven’t been ready to take the plunge yet, these considerations may be exactly what you need to make up your mind.
Do You Have an Interest in How Electrical Systems Work?
As an electrical engineer, it will be your job to figure out how things that use a motor, plug, and/or electricity work. This means things such as automobiles, communication systems, machinery controls, computers, devices, and electrical systems. Typically, you would choose one or two paths at the most to focus on, and make that your niche.
What this means is that you have to be the type who just naturally questions how things work and wants to dig in deeper.
Do You Have Excellent Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills?
Some of the key skills that electrical engineers need to possess are critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When there is an item that isn’t working properly or efficiently, you need to be able to figure out what the problem is to being with, and then how to address it. This means you can’t be the type that gets flustered, stressed, and overwhelmed easily.
Have You Used Design Software Before?
As an electrical engineer, you will of course be working with software as part of your job, so it’s also good to have at least a bit of familiarity with the different types. Let’s take for example Altium, which is PCB design software that is cloud-based and is able to run on MacOS or Linux. Altium features all the key tools such as Linux circuit drawing software, and more, in order for designers to do their job with ease and accuracy.
Are You Prepared to Further Your Education?
Even though there are many different types of electrical engineers out there, one thing they share is the need for further education. As an electrical engineer, be prepared to get at least your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. It’s wise to do your research in advance to see what is required of you.
It Could be the Exact Right Path for You
By taking each of these into consideration, you’ll be able to dig a little deeper into your own interests, hobbies, skills, and experience and figure out if they are in line with what would be required for an electrical engineer.