What about Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

From global positioning systems (GPS) to giant electric power generators, electrical and electronics engineers are responsible for a wide range of technologies. They design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of the electrical and electronic equipment that surrounds us today.

These include broadcast, computing and communications systems, electric motors, machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings, automobiles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems, but also power generating, controlling, and transmission devices used by electric utilities.

If you would like a career on one of the largest branches of engineering then electronics and electrical engineering could be for you.

Typical Activities

Electrical and electronic engineers specialise in different areas such as power generation, transmission, distribution, communications or electronic equipment manufacturing. They jobs usually involve some of the following tasks:

Designing and manufacturing computers, IT and telephony components, radio, television, and communication equipment and apparatus
Collborating on projects with engineers specialising in other fields
Measuring, checking, and testing electrical apparatus and equipment

Getting in

Electrical and electronic engineering offers a number of both scientific and technical roles.

electric pylons © Photographer: Josef Rak | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Electrical and electronics engineering graduates should have favourable employment opportunities, with average starting salaries topping £23,000. Typically they will have earned a Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering in areas that include electronics, electrical engineering, or computer engineering.

Another common route is to enter via an Apprenticeship - which gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, gain experience and a qualification whilst getting paid. This industry also has great employment opportunities for those with vocational qualifications at almost every level.

Education never ends in this ever-changing industry sector. It is vital for engineers to keep up to pace with the latest technological advances in order for their work to be useful.

Typical employers

Electronics and electrical engineers work in a range of organisations – from services firms, government agencies, to the manufacturers of computer and electronic products and machinery: