Career Prospects of an Electrical Engineering Graduate


By UOW Malaysia KDU

Anyone who’s ever experienced a major power outage would appreciate just how crucial electricity is to our everyday lives. Lights, motors and countless other devices need electricity to operate. This is where electrical engineers come in. Electrical Engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

What is electrical engineering?

Electrical Engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. 

It involves physics, mathematics and covers sub fields such as electronics, telecommunications, control systems, signal processing as well as computers. This engineering branch also covers power systems.

Brief history of electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is one of the newer branches of engineering which dates back to the late 19th century. Experiments with electricity included primitive batteries and static charges. However, the actual design construction and manufacturing of useful devices and systems began with the implementation of Michael Faraday’s Law of Induction, which became the foundation of Electrical Engineering. It essentially states that, “The voltage in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change in the magnetic field through the circuit.”

This law applies to the basic principles of the electric generator, electric motor and the transformer. The advent of the modern age is marked by the introduction of electricity to homes, businesses, and industry all of which were made possible by Electrical Engineers.

What do electrical engineers do?

Electrical Engineers work in a very wide range of industries and the skills required are likewise variable. These range from basic circuit theory to the management skills required of a project manager.

They apply the physics and mathematics of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to both large and small scale systems to process information and transmit energy.

To do this electrical engineers design computers, electronic devices, communication systems, test equipment, electric power networks and improve systems through problem solving techniques. The tools and equipment that an individual engineer may need are similarly variable, ranging from a simple voltmeter to a top end analyzer to sophisticated design and manufacturing software.

The job scope of electrical engineers depends on the industry they are in but could include these duties:

  • Carrying out feasibility studies for new technical developments,
  • Drawing up project plans and circuit diagrams using computer assisted-engineering and design software,
  • Estimating costs and project timings,
  • Coordinating the work of technicians and craftspeople,
  • Testing installations and systems and analyzing test data,
  • Making sure projects meet safety regulations,
  • Oversee inspection and maintenance programs,
  • Attending meetings, writing reports and giving presentations.

They usually work on projects with other professionals like Civil Engineers, Architects and Engineering Technicians.

Electrical Engineering Skills

The Skills Required in Electrical Engineering are:

  • Circuit Designing
  • Instrumentation Electrical Measurements
  • Power Transmission and Transmission Lines Fundamentals
  • Electrical Drives and Electrical Machinery
  • Power Electronics
  • Renewable Energy Fundamentals
  • Microcontrollers and Programming Languages
  • Presentation and Communication Skills
  • Fundamentals of Electrical Power Generation and Maintenance of Electrical Power Plants
  • Control Systems and Control Machinery
  • Quality Control Analysis

Why study electrical engineering?

Here are some of the top reasons why you should study electrical engineering:

  1. Electrical engineers are always in demand. This means you will have good job prospects once you graduate with an electrical engineering degree. 
  2. Electrical engineers have good salaries. 
  3. Electrical engineering plays an important role in the development of new technologies for numerous industries including robotics, transportation and healthcare. 
  4. The electrical engineering field is dynamic and continues to grow and expand. 
  5. You can choose to broaden your professional scope into the many subfields or related fields. 
  6. The laws of mathematics and physics are universal. As such, you will be able to choose to work in any country you wish. There are many international companies who need electrical engineers. 
  7. Bachelor of electrical engineering is more affordable compared to fields such as medicine. 

Who should study electrical engineering?

The engineering profession may not be for everyone as some people just have more natural affinity towards it. Consider the following if you’re trying to decide if electrical engineering is the career for you. 

You have a love of technology

Electrical engineers will learn how to create and build hardware for websites and applications to run on. You will be working with computers, phones as well as tablets and will need to know at least the basics of technologically advanced products. 

Even though you may not be building technologically advanced products per se, an electrical engineering course will allow you to explore the wonders of modern technology. 

You are always looking for ways to make things function better

You will definitely love studying electrical and electronic engineering if you’re constantly looking for ways to make things work efficiently. This is because fixing and improving this will be part of your job. You will get to push the boundaries of technology with creative innovations. 

You’re somehow just able to fix electronic things

Do you seem to be the one that your family and friends come to when something at home is not working? A large part of being an electronic engineer is your ability to troubleshoot and fix electrical parts. 

You want to learn and improve

You need to be able to keep yourself motivated to learn as you may well face numerous trial and errors before you become a successful electrical engineer. Having a passion to learn also means that you will keep up to date with the latest development in this fast changing, fluid field. 

You are able to work in a team

Collaborating with others in the field is inevitable. You will have to work with fellow students during your electrical engineering course. This will prepare you to work with other people such as other engineers, contractors and designers once you have graduated. 

However, do not worry if you’re not used to working in a team. Stay open, learn to build trust among your team members and build on each other’s strengths. You may well find that working as a team enables you to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time. 

You’re good at critical thinking and problem solving

As an electrical engineer, you will most likely face issues in designs, systems and programming very often. As such, you will need to be able to think and solve problems even when you feel stressed out. Creativity is an added advantage.

If you’re still unsure, you can take our career test online to find out what job suits your personality best.

Electrical engineering courses in Malaysia

In Malaysia, electrical engineers are in high demand. As this country continues to develop, electrical engineering is a field that will continue to expand to keep up with the nation’s growth. 

As such, electrical engineering courses are increasingly popular among students who have completed their secondary or high school education. Because of the growing number of students opting for this course, most tertiary education institutions offer electrical engineering courses that are designed to give students a jumpstart in this field.  

Foundation in Engineering teaches you the basic elements of engineering in general. But if you are really sure that you prefer the electrical engineering path, you can also opt to sign up for a Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Alternatively, you can continue furthering your studies in Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Honours.

Download our Engineering course guide here to view the programme structure in detail.

Electrical engineering subjects

Different universities may offer slightly different subjects. However, an example of subjects offered in an electrical engineering degree are as below, courtesy of UOW Malaysia KDU: 

YEAR 1

  • Engineering Mathematics 1
  • Semiconductor Devices
  • Circuit Theory
  • Digital Electronics & Telecommunications
  • Introduction to Inventive Problem Solving in Engineering
  • Engineering Skills in Experimentation and Presentation
  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Engineering Mathematics 2
  • Electric Power and Machines
  • Electric Machine
  • Computer Programming
  • Electronics Devices

 YEAR 2

  • Engineering Mathematics 3
  • Control Systems
  • Digital Systems
  • Engineering Product Development
  • C Programming
  • Communication Systems
  • Signals, Circuits and Systems
  • Numerical Methods
  • Power Generation
  • Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
  • Instrumentation and Measurement
  • Analogue Electronics

 YEAR 3

  • Individual Engineering Project 1
  • Operations Management
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Electronic Circuit Design
  • Industrial Attachment
  • Individual Engineering Project 2
  • Artificial Intelligence in Engineering
  • Power Electronics and Drive Systems
  • Very Large Scale Integration
  • Embedded Systems
  • Elective (1 subject)

How hard is electrical engineering? 

While this depends on the capabilities of different individuals, electrical engineering is generally quite hard. It requires abstract thinking, calculations and a flair to understand maths and physics. As an electrical engineering student, you’ll have to put in the effort in your studies. And once you graduate, complicated problems are just part of the job. Nonetheless, electrical engineering is a rewarding career. 

Electrical engineering scope

Electrical engineering has now been subdivided into a wide range of subfields including electronics, digital computers, power engineering, telecommunications, control systems, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and microelectronics. Many of these sub-disciplines overlap and also overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations such as hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics & waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, electrical materials science, and many more.

The most common industries to apply are:

  • Oil and Gas Extraction:

Electrical Engineers would help develop and maintain equipment. They primarily focus on designing electrical supply systems and equipment specifications needed at planets, drilling rigs, offshore platforms, and pipeline monitoring stations.

  • Computer System Designs:

The Electrical Engineer would be designing new computer hardware and peripherals.

  • Aerospace Manufacturing Navigation:

Design aircraft electrical systems. The Electrical Engineer would do research, develop, evaluate electronic devices using aviation, including satellites, flight systems, and communications systems.

  • Semiconductor and Associated Parts Manufacturing.

Building a computer requires a number of parts many of which are very small and must be manufactured to very precise specifications. A variety of products use semiconductors including music players, global positioning systems, computers and automobiles. The jobs in Electrical Engineering would be to make parts smaller while making them faster, more powerful and more dependable. 

  • Consumer electronics

Also known as home electronics, consumer electronics are electronic devices that are used in homes. Consumer electronics are some of the most commonly used forms of electronic devices. They include televisions, laptops, washing machines, refrigerators, computers and tablets. Electrical engineers play a large role in designing, improving and advancing these products. 

  • Telecommunications 

The exchange of information via electronic processes is referred to as telecommunications. Electronic engineers are needed to design and continuously improve phones, mobile devices, satellites, broadcasting equipment and other communication tools. 

  • Construction industry

You might be surprised that electrical engineers are also needed in the construction industry. The responsibilities of electrical engineers in construction sites include designing, testing, installing as well as maintaining the electrical systems in the building. 

  • Government institutions like defence, traffic control departments, transportation, etc

Electrical engineers are also needed in many government institutions such as defence, traffic control departments, transportation and many more. In fact, many of the systems we enjoy and sometimes take for granted are put in place by electrical engineers. Wherever you find electrical systems and electrical devices, an electrical engineer would have played a role in its development.

What can you do with an electrical engineering degree?

With reference to the industry scope above, here’s some of what you can do with an electrical engineering degree:

  • Aerospace engineer
  • Broadcast engineer
  • CAD technician
  • Computer network architect
  • Controls engineer
  • Design engineer
  • Electrical designer
  • Electrical communications engineer
  • Electrical engineer
  • Electrical project manager
  • Electrical technician
  • Hardware engineer
  • Nuclear engineer
  • Substation technician
  • Sound engineer
  • Systems engineer
  • Technical writer

Electrical engineering salary

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics electrical engineers earn a median salary of $93,000 per year. Salaries typically start from $59,240 and go up to $146,820. The top 10 percent of Electrical Engineers earn a monthly salary of $10,972 or more.

In addition, electrical engineers with a Master’s Degree or Professional License improve their attractiveness to employers and may qualify for higher wages. The average Engineer with a Master’s Degree in any field earns approximately $900 more per month than one with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Are electrical engineers highly paid in Malaysia? 

According to Salary Expert, an entry-level electrical engineer with 1-3 years of experience earns RM103,174 on average. A senior-level electrical engineer with 8+ years of experience, on the other hand, earns an average salary of RM183,371.

The Top Companies Hiring Electrical Engineers are:

  • ExxonMobil International
  • Shell Global
  • International Business Machines (IBM)
  • Google
  • Apple
  • General Electric
  • BMW Group
  • KLIA Holdings
  • Top Glove
  • Gagasan Sentral
  • Tesla
  • Boeing
  • Intel

Are electrical engineers in demand?

Electrical engineers are in such high demand that many companies are restructuring their benefits and compensation packages to attract top talent, making it an excellent time to pursue a career in electrical engineering.

Which field of electrical engineering is most in demand?

  • Hardware Design Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • Electronics Design Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Applications Engineer
  • Communication Engineer
  • Digital Signal Processing Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Computer Hardware Engineer

What is the difference between electrical and electronics engineering?

Electrical and electronics engineering are often grouped together. However, they are fundamentally different. Electrical engineering deals with the transmission and distribution of electricity while electronic engineering is concerned with components such as electron tubes, semiconductors, transistors, integrated circuits and such. 

Simply put, electrical engineers study and apply the flow of electrons while electronics engineers study and apply the flow of charge.

What is the difference between electrical and mechanical engineering? 

The lines between electrical engineering and mechanical engineering can seem blurry, as both engineering disciplines involve the design and construction of things.

Electrical engineering is the study of energy as well as electrical fields & structures. On the other hand, mechanical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the application of power. 

In electrical engineering, engineers are responsible for installing and manufacturing electrical systems. In mechanical engineering, engineers are responsible for designing manufacturing methods for technical instruments. 

Electrical engineers concentrate on constructing complicated designs such as microchips. Mechanical engineers concentrate on the design of physical systems, such as belt conveyors, pulleys, and vehicles. 

Which is more difficult, electrical or mechanical engineering? 

Both type of engineering presents with its own challenges. However, electrical engineering is thought to be the most challenging type of engineering since it requires so much abstract reasoning. Electrical engineers deal with a lot of things that aren’t visible, which makes their job exceedingly challenging.

Nonetheless, with some hard work, success as an electrical engineer is possible.

Future Progression

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is projected to grow by 4% between now and 2020. 

The rapid pace of technological innovation and development will likely drive demand for Electrical and Electronics Engineers in research and development an area in which engineering expertise will be needed to develop distribution systems related to new technologies

Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Honours

UOW Malaysia KDU University College, Utropolis Glenmarie

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering
UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College, George Town

Key highlights

  • Expert Educators
  • Industry-Certirfied Graduates
  • Design-centric Curriculum
  • Competitive Syllabus to
    Enhance Engineering Knowledge and Skills

In Summary

An Electrical Engineer has a chance to work with great people and to work on multi-million dollar projects in a challenging, volatile and exciting industry.

You are part of something that is very important, which is constantly moving and evolving.

You will be dealing and talking with governments about their energy needs and how you will provide energy for citizens and get fantastic exposure to some of the real critical issues going on in the energy industry right now.

Delivering your goals requires a multidisciplinary approach and also a commercial mindset, where you will be regularly working in teams of various sizes. Hence, thinking beyond the technical is a must.

But being an Electrical Engineer you are just not limited there.

You will get the opportunity to move around, see different parts of the business and apply your knowledge in those areas.

You will be able to go everywhere you want. You have the potential to advance your career opportunities with a global energy leader and expand your horizons, but you also have the ability to influence the industry’s future.

As an Electrical Engineer, you’ll play a key role in successful project delivery and work alongside fellow creative thinkers, problem solvers and innovators keen to push boundaries.

Thinking of pursuing a career in electrical engineering? Come and check out our Engineering Courses.

Choosing your future career may seem daunting, but with proper research and guidance, you can be on the right track. For more insights and advice, fill out our enquiry form online and our experienced higher education advisors will reach out to you.

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10 April 2020

CATEGORY

Education and Career