3 answers
William
Student
Lancaster, South Carolina
1
Question
Updated
305 views
In Electrical Engineering what does the work after schooling mostly involve. Is it more physical labor or more programming and understanding. Does it depend on the job/subfield Which companies should I be looking out for an internship under the field?
I know that engineering is a constantly changing field and I want to know if the field is more labor oriented or more programming? Thanks.
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3 answers
Casandra Valencia
Strategy and Planning
10
Answers
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Updated
Casandra’s Answer
Hi! While I am a computer engineer, I do have 2 brothers that are Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. I can give you my perspective of them and I hope you find it helpful. The Electrical guy has a concentration in power. He designs, develops and maintains power plants for grid infrastructure. I would say his job is more programming and understanding. He uses his brain a lot! ;) The Mechanical guy builds and tests microchips. He works in a clean lab that is geared for robotics and production lines. His job is more hands on and physical. I think an internship is an excellent way for you to get experience. You will gain knowledge about the field but also about different companies. Definitely check the intern programs your college has to offer. Good luck!
Thank you very much!
William
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical engineer, researcher and Software Developer
195
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
I pursued a five-year degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), starting with a pre-engineering semester and later specializing in Industrial Control during my 4th year. I chose this path over other areas such as Electronic Communication, Power Systems, and Computer & Microelectronics Engineering because of its practical focus and relevance to modern automation. The program offered a strong blend of theory and hands-on learning, allowing me to gain practical experience in industrial equipment maintenance, electric motor design, system integration, and electrical installations. Labs and workshops provided real-world exposure to transformers, motor control, digital electronics, and power electronics, all of which helped refine my problem-solving abilities, technical accuracy, and system-level thinking.
Throughout my studies, I came to appreciate that electrical engineering is not centered around physical labor, but rather on applying technical knowledge and analytical thinking to build and improve complex systems. While some roles involve fieldwork, most demand precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of engineering principles. This realization inspired me to extend my skill set beyond hardware into the realm of software engineering. Programming emerged as a vital tool—not only in developing control systems and simulating circuits, but also in integrating hardware with intelligent software solutions. Many areas within ECE, such as Industrial Automation, Embedded Systems, Power Systems Automation, and Computer Engineering, rely heavily on programming to implement smart, responsive, and scalable technologies.
After graduating, I applied this integrated hardware-software foundation by working on the design of control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This project involved real-time control algorithms, sensor data integration, and stability optimization, drawing directly on my training in control systems and embedded programming. It exemplified how my background in Industrial Control and my software capabilities could converge to address sophisticated engineering challenges. Today, I see ECE as a deeply interdisciplinary field—one where Industrial Control emphasizes automation and real-time processing, Communication Engineering focuses on signal theory, Power Systems blend infrastructure with modeling, and Computer Engineering drives innovation in embedded systems. My journey through these areas has equipped me with the adaptability, discipline, and technical depth to contribute to complex, forward-looking technologies. Don't fear the field—study smartly, focus on building strong technical skills, and the rest will follow. The companies you target for electrical engineering internships depend on your specialization. For industrial control, power systems, embedded systems, communications, robotics, or renewable energy, firms like Siemens, GE, Intel, Qualcomm, Cisco, Tesla, and Vestas offer strong opportunities. Don’t overlook local companies or your college’s career services, which can provide valuable hands-on experience. Networking with professionals, refining your resume to highlight technical skills, and optimizing your LinkedIn profile can greatly improve your chances. Feel free to reach out if you need any further information.
Throughout my studies, I came to appreciate that electrical engineering is not centered around physical labor, but rather on applying technical knowledge and analytical thinking to build and improve complex systems. While some roles involve fieldwork, most demand precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of engineering principles. This realization inspired me to extend my skill set beyond hardware into the realm of software engineering. Programming emerged as a vital tool—not only in developing control systems and simulating circuits, but also in integrating hardware with intelligent software solutions. Many areas within ECE, such as Industrial Automation, Embedded Systems, Power Systems Automation, and Computer Engineering, rely heavily on programming to implement smart, responsive, and scalable technologies.
After graduating, I applied this integrated hardware-software foundation by working on the design of control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This project involved real-time control algorithms, sensor data integration, and stability optimization, drawing directly on my training in control systems and embedded programming. It exemplified how my background in Industrial Control and my software capabilities could converge to address sophisticated engineering challenges. Today, I see ECE as a deeply interdisciplinary field—one where Industrial Control emphasizes automation and real-time processing, Communication Engineering focuses on signal theory, Power Systems blend infrastructure with modeling, and Computer Engineering drives innovation in embedded systems. My journey through these areas has equipped me with the adaptability, discipline, and technical depth to contribute to complex, forward-looking technologies. Don't fear the field—study smartly, focus on building strong technical skills, and the rest will follow. The companies you target for electrical engineering internships depend on your specialization. For industrial control, power systems, embedded systems, communications, robotics, or renewable energy, firms like Siemens, GE, Intel, Qualcomm, Cisco, Tesla, and Vestas offer strong opportunities. Don’t overlook local companies or your college’s career services, which can provide valuable hands-on experience. Networking with professionals, refining your resume to highlight technical skills, and optimizing your LinkedIn profile can greatly improve your chances. Feel free to reach out if you need any further information.
Yes sir I will likely come back to this at a later date after college work settles down a little with a few questions. Thank you for the insightful response!
William
ogundiji samson
Engineer
5
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
ogundiji’s Answer
The nature of work in electrical engineering (EE) varies significantly by subfield. Some roles are hands-on and lab/field-oriented, while others are software-heavy. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Work Type by Subfield
A. Hardware/Physical-Oriented Roles
Power Systems Engineering
Work: Designing/maintaining power grids, substations, transformers
Tasks: Field testing, equipment installation, troubleshooting
Companies: Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, utilities (e.g., PG&E, National Grid)
Electronics & Circuit Design
Work: PCB design, prototyping, soldering, testing hardware
Tasks: Lab work, oscilloscope measurements, embedded systems
Companies: Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Intel, Qualcomm
Renewable Energy
Work: Solar/wind farm installation, battery systems, grid integration
Tasks: On-site inspections, power optimization
Companies: NextEra Energy, Tesla Energy, SunPower
B. Programming/Software-Oriented Roles
Embedded Systems & IoT
Work: Coding for microcontrollers (C/C++, Python), firmware development
Tasks: Writing drivers, RTOS programming
Companies: NVIDIA, ARM, Bosch, SpaceX
Control Systems & Robotics
Work: Algorithm design (MATLAB, Simulink), automation programming
Tasks: PID tuning, robotic arm control
Companies: Rockwell Automation, ABB Robotics, Boston Dynamics
Signal Processing & Communications
Work: DSP (Python, MATLAB), 5G/Wi-Fi algorithm development
Tasks: Software-defined radio (SDR), wireless protocols
Companies: Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia
C. Mixed Roles (Hardware + Software)
VLSI/Chip Design
Work: Digital design (Verilog/VHDL), FPGA programming
Tasks: RTL coding + physical chip testing
Companies: AMD, NVIDIA, Intel, TSMC
Mechatronics
Work: Combining EE, CS, and mechanical engineering
Tasks: Robotics, industrial automation (PLC programming)
Companies: Festo, Siemens, Tesla
2. Internship Opportunities
Target companies based on your interests:
Power/Energy: Siemens, GE Renewable Energy, Schneider Electric
Semiconductors: Intel, Texas Instruments, Broadcom
Embedded Systems: Qualcomm, Tesla, NASA/JPL
Telecom: Ericsson, Nokia, Verizon Labs
Automotive: Tesla, Rivian, Bosch
3. Industry Trends
Growing Fields:
AI/ML for EE: Auto-tuning power grids, predictive maintenance
EV/Battery Tech: Battery management systems (BMS)
IoT/Edge Computing: Smart sensors, low-power devices
Declining Fields:
Traditional power distribution (due to automation)
Basic circuit design (outsourced to CAD tools)
Key Takeaways
Hands-on? Power systems, electronics, renewables.
Programming? Embedded, DSP, controls, VLSI.
Hybrid? Mechatronics, chip design, robotics.
Advice: Learn Python/C for software roles, or PCB/SPICE tools for hardware. Internships at tech-forward companies (Tesla, NVIDIA, Siemens) will future-proof your career.
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1. Work Type by Subfield
A. Hardware/Physical-Oriented Roles
Power Systems Engineering
Work: Designing/maintaining power grids, substations, transformers
Tasks: Field testing, equipment installation, troubleshooting
Companies: Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, utilities (e.g., PG&E, National Grid)
Electronics & Circuit Design
Work: PCB design, prototyping, soldering, testing hardware
Tasks: Lab work, oscilloscope measurements, embedded systems
Companies: Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Intel, Qualcomm
Renewable Energy
Work: Solar/wind farm installation, battery systems, grid integration
Tasks: On-site inspections, power optimization
Companies: NextEra Energy, Tesla Energy, SunPower
B. Programming/Software-Oriented Roles
Embedded Systems & IoT
Work: Coding for microcontrollers (C/C++, Python), firmware development
Tasks: Writing drivers, RTOS programming
Companies: NVIDIA, ARM, Bosch, SpaceX
Control Systems & Robotics
Work: Algorithm design (MATLAB, Simulink), automation programming
Tasks: PID tuning, robotic arm control
Companies: Rockwell Automation, ABB Robotics, Boston Dynamics
Signal Processing & Communications
Work: DSP (Python, MATLAB), 5G/Wi-Fi algorithm development
Tasks: Software-defined radio (SDR), wireless protocols
Companies: Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia
C. Mixed Roles (Hardware + Software)
VLSI/Chip Design
Work: Digital design (Verilog/VHDL), FPGA programming
Tasks: RTL coding + physical chip testing
Companies: AMD, NVIDIA, Intel, TSMC
Mechatronics
Work: Combining EE, CS, and mechanical engineering
Tasks: Robotics, industrial automation (PLC programming)
Companies: Festo, Siemens, Tesla
2. Internship Opportunities
Target companies based on your interests:
Power/Energy: Siemens, GE Renewable Energy, Schneider Electric
Semiconductors: Intel, Texas Instruments, Broadcom
Embedded Systems: Qualcomm, Tesla, NASA/JPL
Telecom: Ericsson, Nokia, Verizon Labs
Automotive: Tesla, Rivian, Bosch
3. Industry Trends
Growing Fields:
AI/ML for EE: Auto-tuning power grids, predictive maintenance
EV/Battery Tech: Battery management systems (BMS)
IoT/Edge Computing: Smart sensors, low-power devices
Declining Fields:
Traditional power distribution (due to automation)
Basic circuit design (outsourced to CAD tools)
Key Takeaways
Hands-on? Power systems, electronics, renewables.
Programming? Embedded, DSP, controls, VLSI.
Hybrid? Mechatronics, chip design, robotics.
Advice: Learn Python/C for software roles, or PCB/SPICE tools for hardware. Internships at tech-forward companies (Tesla, NVIDIA, Siemens) will future-proof your career.
ogundiji recommends the following next steps:
Very informational I will keep theses things in mind over the next 4 years. Thank you very much!
William