Why you should do Electrical Engineering | Career Advice

Summary

In this video, Joe, a hardware engineer, passionately advocates for electrical engineering as a career choice. Despite its challenging curriculum, he highlights the high demand for electrical engineers, leading to better job security and competitive salaries. Joe shares his personal experience of securing a job quickly after graduation and emphasizes how the niche skills acquired are hard to learn outside of college. He also touches on the potential impact of AI on jobs, suggesting that electrical engineers are less likely to be replaced due to their specialized knowledge.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Joe, is an electrical engineer and hardware engineer at a defense company, advocating for the field of electrical engineering.
• 🔍 Joe suggests that electrical engineering offers a wide range of opportunities, including in big tech companies like Google and Microsoft.
• 🏢 Defense companies are highlighted as consistent employers in the engineering field, with a focus on national security.
• 🎓 Despite the challenging curriculum, electrical engineering graduates are in high demand and tend to secure jobs quickly post-graduation.
• 💼 Joe's personal experience shows that electrical engineers, unlike their software engineering counterparts, face less competition in the job market.
• 💰 The speaker emphasizes that electrical engineering skills are harder to self-learn due to the need for expensive equipment and practical experience.
• 🚀 Joe's journey includes overcoming financial barriers and academic challenges to successfully graduate and get a job in his field.
• 🏡 The cost of living and purchasing power are considerations when comparing salaries in different regions of the U.S.
• 💡 Electrical engineers often have a strong foundation in math and are well-prepared for advanced studies or careers in artificial intelligence.
• 🌐 The speaker predicts that the demand for electrical engineers will continue to outpace the supply, ensuring job security for those in the field.
• 🔧 Joe encourages those interested in tech to consider electrical engineering for its blend of practical skills, job prospects, and potential for high earning.

Q & A

What is Joe's profession and where does he work?

Joe is a hardware engineer working in a defense company.

Why does Joe believe that electrical engineering is a good choice for a career?

Joe believes that electrical engineering is a good choice because of the high demand for electrical engineers in the job market, the niche skills that electrical engineers possess, and the potential for job security and good pay.

What are some of the challenges Joe faced while studying electrical engineering?

Joe faced challenges such as the heavy math load, retaking classes to achieve desired grades, and the financial burden of paying for his education out of pocket.

How long did it take Joe to get a job after graduating with his electrical engineering degree?

It took Joe approximately a month and a half after graduation to get hired.

What was the size of Joe's graduating class in electrical engineering?

There were 15 students in Joe's graduating class for electrical engineering.

How does Joe compare the job prospects of electrical engineers to those of software engineers?

Joe suggests that while software engineers might have an easier time finding a job initially and potentially earn more, electrical engineers have a more niche skill set that is in high demand, making it easier for them to find jobs and providing job security.

What was Joe's initial career goal when he started university?

Joe initially aimed to play division one college soccer and was not certain about pursuing engineering.

What advice does Joe give to those considering electrical engineering as a major?

Joe advises that if you love tech and are interested in a secure and well-paying career, electrical engineering is a good choice. He also encourages persistence through the challenging coursework.

How does Joe view the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of engineering jobs?

Joe believes that AI will not replace programmers in the next 10 years but will make them more efficient, potentially leading to fewer job opportunities for software engineers.

What was Joe's first job offer after graduation and how much did it pay?

Joe's first job offer was in Baltimore, Maryland, and it paid $85,400 a year.