Here's why an electrical engineering degree is worth it

Summary

This video shares the personal journey of an electrical engineering graduate who has completed a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD while working at NASA. The speaker discusses the intense challenges faced during their academic career, including difficult classes and finding internships. Despite these obstacles, the degree ultimately provided valuable skills such as problem-solving, learning quickly, and gaining confidence. The speaker highlights the importance of these skills over mere job prospects, stressing that the true value of the degree lies in the ability to adapt, learn, and contribute to shaping the future of technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Electrical engineering offers significant career opportunities, but its value lies in personal growth, problem-solving, and self-confidence.
• 😀 The journey before starting the degree is filled with doubts and challenges, especially for those who don't excel in high school or lack a clear plan.
• 😀 The first few years of the electrical engineering program are extremely challenging, with a heavy workload and demanding coursework.
• 😀 Engineering teaches you to work hard and figure out difficult problems, which is the real value of the degree.
• 😀 Gaining an internship in electrical engineering can be a difficult and lengthy process, but it is crucial for hands-on experience and career growth.
• 😀 Even when overwhelmed with assignments and difficult exams, the key to success in engineering is perseverance, especially when other options seem unavailable.
• 😀 Through internships and research, you can begin to understand the relevance of your coursework, making it easier to see the value in the degree.
• 😀 The degree provides options after graduation—whether it's going into industry, grad school, or starting a research career—allowing you to shape your future.
• 😀 The most valuable takeaway from an electrical engineering degree is not just technical knowledge, but the ability to solve any problem and learn anything quickly.
• 😀 Confidence in your problem-solving and learning abilities is the ultimate reward, which remains valuable no matter where your career takes you.
• 😀 Working at prestigious institutions like NASA is rewarding, but the core benefit of the degree is the lifelong confidence and skills it instills for tackling any challenge.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to make the video about the electrical engineering degree?

The speaker decided to make the video to share their personal experience with the electrical engineering degree, having completed a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in the field, as well as working as a post-doctoral fellow at NASA's J Propulsion Lab. They wanted to provide a perspective beyond statistics and discuss the personal challenges and growth they experienced.

What was the speaker's academic background before pursuing electrical engineering?

Before pursuing electrical engineering, the speaker was a senior in high school and did not excel academically, graduating ranked 118 out of 517. They acknowledged that they weren't considered 'smart' by school standards but had the ability to learn and figure things out.

What was the biggest challenge the speaker faced during the early years of their electrical engineering degree?

The biggest challenge during the early years was the heavy workload and difficult classes. The speaker struggled with keeping up with the assignments and exams, realizing that engineering required a much higher level of effort compared to high school.

What did the speaker learn from the tough academic environment in electrical engineering?

The speaker learned that electrical engineering forces you to work hard, push your limits, and figure out complex problems. They believe that this 'hardcore training' is valuable because it strengthens problem-solving skills and perseverance.

How difficult was it for the speaker to secure an internship during their studies?

Securing an internship was very difficult for the speaker, as they spent two years applying without success before landing their first opportunity. Despite the challenging process, the speaker recognized the importance of gaining real-world experience during their studies.

What did the speaker realize after completing several internships in industry?

After completing several internships in the industry, the speaker realized they did not want to work in a corporate environment, as they were not passionate about doing a job they found meaningless. This realization gave them the freedom to choose a different path, ultimately leading to grad school.

Why does the speaker believe an electrical engineering degree is worth it?

The speaker believes the degree is worth it because it provided them with valuable problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and the ability to learn new things quickly. These skills are transferable and useful in any situation, making the degree extremely valuable in shaping their career and personal growth.

How did the electrical engineering degree impact the speaker's personal development?

The degree helped the speaker become more systematic, organized, and self-confident. It allowed them to develop the ability to tackle tough problems and adapt to new situations quickly. They gained confidence in their ability to learn and solve any problem.

What does the speaker believe is the most valuable takeaway from an electrical engineering degree?

The most valuable takeaway from the degree, according to the speaker, is the ability to solve any problem, learn new things rapidly, and have confidence in one's ability to face new challenges. This mindset is essential for navigating life's difficulties and shaping a successful career.

What is the speaker's opinion on the role of engineers in shaping the future?

The speaker believes that engineers, particularly those who understand hardware, software, and technology, are in the top 0.1% of people who are shaping the future. Engineers are not just solving technical problems but are actively influencing human behavior and the course of history through their work in companies like Apple, Facebook, and OpenAI.