any electrical engineers out there?

[DSMW 10+ year member]

I am interested in pursueing this major and would like some input. What kind of jobs are out there for electrical engineers, and what is a starting salary? what kind of schooling did you have to go through?

thanks for any answers that can be offered.

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[kraudio12 10+ year member]

hey im in the same boat as you what school you going to for your studies

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

there are tons http://www.engineer.net/electrical.php

my degree is in mechanical engineering and the only thing it did was get me more $ because I'm not applying anything I learned to what I do for a living...good luck, engineering is very tough and competitive...

 

[DSMW 10+ year member]

there are tons http://www.engineer.net/electrical.php
my degree is in mechanical engineering and the only thing it did was get me more $ because I'm not applying anything I learned to what I do for a living...good luck, engineering is very tough and competitive...

haha. what do you do, if you dont mind me asking?

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

haha, dead serious man, I have a MS in ME and I work in the insurance industry, on the claims side for a major carrier...not even close...it was tough to get a good gig then, and it's probably 10x tougher now...

 

[DSMW 10+ year member]

and did you do that before a mechanical engineering degree? and also how did having your degree make you more money at that job? thanks for your help.

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

I had only dabbled in the lower end stuff prior to finishing my degree, I like most students worked part time and went to school full time...I grew some connections within a company and once I finished I switched to full-time while looking for a job, and then I got an offer to do something higher up just required some licensing which I was able to pass no problem without even cracking a book and that allowed me to move up a little more, and then ultimately given my education and what I had achieved within I was given my own division to run basically...so...never burn bridges and always network...

 

[bball09124 10+ year member]

Average starting salary for somebody with a BS in ME or EE is right at $60k. Its going to take me 5 years to get my bachelors, I'm in my second year. Whatever school you go to, make sure they're ABET certified.

 

[DSMW 10+ year member]

what im asking though really is, is it easy to find a job? and i want to know if it something ill truly like..as in what jobs can come out of it?

the truth is, I really want to be a pharmacist, but starting at 23 means i need two years pre pahrm and 4 years at a dedicated pharmacy school. and ill be 29 by the time i get out, but they make right around 100k right from the start.

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

what im asking though really is, is it easy to find a job? and i want to know if it something ill truly like..as in what jobs can come out of it?
the truth is, I really want to be a pharmacist, but starting at 23 means i need two years pre pahrm and 4 years at a dedicated pharmacy school. and ill be 29 by the time i get out, but they make right around 100k right from the start.

the way I look at things like this is, you're going to be 29 anyway, might as well be 29 with a degree and job in a field you're interested in and want...

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I'm in my 3rd year of EE. Got a job for a large glass company. Not a bad gig, the work is easy, the people are cool, and I'm making 17 bucks an hour (because I'm still in school and not a true employee yet).

The thing about electrical engineering is that its a HUGE field. Theres many things you can specialize in. Without knowing anything about it, I'm focusing on the Controls aspect of it, only because that's what I do at my job. Basically automation controls. But I mean any kind of company, that makes any kind of machine (that uses electricity) will have electrical engineers.

But do what you love, if you'd rather be a pharmacist (and can afford the schooling), then do that. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[DSMW 10+ year member]

cant necessarily afford the pharm school, but the gen eds are cheap enough to not get loans for. the pharmacy school is gonna be expensive as well as needing living expenses, so student loans would be the road for that one.

the loans will be high, but living conservatively after getting done with school i could pay off kind of quick.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

I'm in my third year of electrical and computer engineering and I don't have a clue as to what I'm going to do come graduation. I've got a feeling I'm going to be ****ed. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's going to be available in a couple of years. Hopefully something.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

what im asking though really is, is it easy to find a job?

Expect to send out 300+ resumes, and have a 15% response rate, if you're lucky.

For anything.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

money isnt everything

also, the first job you have will pay you decent and the longer you are there the more $4 you will make. You cant walk in expecting $75K

I work in a gas plant and the electrical work here is very diverse.

One day could be the gate messing up next day an actuated valve could need to be replaced.