What is electrical engineering?
Electrical engineering is a broad field related to the design, development, testing and manufacturing of electrical systems and equipment. It’s central to the design and function of systems that power everything from clean energy to electric motors to communication networks and much more.
The skills you’ll need to succeed in this field
While technical skills such as circuit design, signal processing and systems engineering are core to electrical engineering, success in this field goes beyond these fundamentals.
“The most important skills are the ability to gather information quickly and make sense of it,” said Michael Goryll, an associate professor at Arizona State University’s School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. “In a rapidly changing technology environment, with electrical engineering being at the center of it, it is vital to stay up-to-date with recent developments. Lifelong learning is very relevant in this field.”
Additionally, electrical engineers need foundational knowledge in math, particularly calculus. According to David Allee, professor of electrical engineering in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, you should take calculus before starting your electrical engineering degree.
“The most important preparation for success in electrical engineering is your understanding of calculus. You will have calculus classes at ASU, but it’s advisable to take as much calculus as possible before you arrive.”
Through the electrical engineering bachelor’s program, you’ll deepen your knowledge of math, physics and programming while also developing creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills.
As you progress through the program, you’ll explore different specializations through area pathways. These help you tailor your skill set to match your career goals, such as embedded systems, energy, communications or another focus.
12 jobs for electrical engineering majors
A degree in electrical engineering can open the door to a high-demand, high-impact career.
While salaries and demand will vary depending on the specific role you’re in, overall demand for electrical engineers is high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. And the median annual pay for this group was $118,780 as of May 2024.
There are a variety of ways to discover which exact path is right for you, starting with your time as an electrical engineering major.
“As you take classes in the disparate areas of electrical engineering, it will be evident which ones you like and don’t like,” Allee said. “This guides your career path once you graduate.”
Goryll encourages students to talk to professionals, explore internship opportunities and attend events hosted by the IEEE student branch and Eta Kappa Nu. “Ask industry professionals and faculty about their own career paths,” he advised. “Career paths can change over time, and once you explore different opportunities, you might be surprised by what’s available.”
Some of the most in-demand roles in the field include:
- Aerospace engineer: Help design the electrical systems that power satellites, spacecraft and advanced aircraft. From navigation systems to propulsion control, your work literally takes flight.
- Computer hardware engineer: Build the brains behind modern tech. These engineers design and test the physical components in everything from laptops and tablets to gaming consoles and data servers.
- Controls engineer: Create systems that help machines think and move. Controls engineers design automated solutions for robotics, smart factories and high-tech transportation systems.
- Electronics engineer: Design and develop electronic components that power everyday life — including those inside your car, smartphone, home appliances and more.
- Embedded systems engineer: Combine hardware and software to bring smart devices to life. These engineers build the tech inside wearables, medical devices, appliances and connected home systems.
- Energy engineer: Focus on sustainable solutions for the future. Energy engineers work on renewable energy projects, energy efficiency systems and technologies that reduce environmental impact.
- Hardware design engineer: Develop and fine-tune the building blocks of modern electronics, including processors, memory units and sensors for devices like smartphones and virtual assistants.
- Power systems engineer: Keep the lights on — literally. Power systems engineers design and maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
- Radio frequency (RF) engineer: Make wireless work. RF engineers design antennas and communication systems that support everything from cell phones to satellites and radar.
- Signal processing engineer: Help technology “hear” and “see.” These engineers clean and optimize data from audio, video and sensor signals used in communications, medical devices and more.
- Systems engineer: Oversee the big picture. Systems engineers coordinate complex projects and make sure all the electrical components in a system work seamlessly together.
- Test engineer: Be the last line of defense for quality. Test engineers ensure that products perform reliably, safely and according to design — before they ever reach consumers.
