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Electrical Engineering -- do you like it?
Just asking any electrical engineers if they like their job and their work in this field.
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Dennis’s Answer
Hello Yael!
First, a disclaimer: I am not an Electrical Engineerer. However, I think I can speak for most working engineers in this way: we started out (probably in college, or perhaps in the last year or so of high school) thinking that this was what we wanted to study. Eventually, we would become an engineer doing that thing that really interested us. Then, we got a real job, doing that thing or something similar. Maybe it matched our dream. Maybe it's better. Or not.
In any case, you continue to grow and learn. If your first job isn't quite right, that's ok. You learned something. Now you look for something that comes closer to your ideal. You may find it with the same company you started with. If not, there are many other businesses out there that can utilize your skills and experience. Meanwhile, as your skill and experience grow, your idea of the ideal job may change somewhat.
My own take is this: You will be happy with your choice of profession ( or major or degree, or whatever) if you like your assignment(s); you like your boss and your peers; you like where you are and the activies that you can do during non-work time. Three criteria. If your situation breaks down, and one or more of these criteria fail, you wil probably want to look for a change. The change could be a new job, a new location or a new profession ( Yes, you can start over or add to what you already have going for you.).
Good luck Yael. I hope you can find what you like, and I hope my comments will help you in your search for it.
First, a disclaimer: I am not an Electrical Engineerer. However, I think I can speak for most working engineers in this way: we started out (probably in college, or perhaps in the last year or so of high school) thinking that this was what we wanted to study. Eventually, we would become an engineer doing that thing that really interested us. Then, we got a real job, doing that thing or something similar. Maybe it matched our dream. Maybe it's better. Or not.
In any case, you continue to grow and learn. If your first job isn't quite right, that's ok. You learned something. Now you look for something that comes closer to your ideal. You may find it with the same company you started with. If not, there are many other businesses out there that can utilize your skills and experience. Meanwhile, as your skill and experience grow, your idea of the ideal job may change somewhat.
My own take is this: You will be happy with your choice of profession ( or major or degree, or whatever) if you like your assignment(s); you like your boss and your peers; you like where you are and the activies that you can do during non-work time. Three criteria. If your situation breaks down, and one or more of these criteria fail, you wil probably want to look for a change. The change could be a new job, a new location or a new profession ( Yes, you can start over or add to what you already have going for you.).
Good luck Yael. I hope you can find what you like, and I hope my comments will help you in your search for it.
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Jeremy’s Answer
Great question! To be honest, I didn’t really enjoy Electrical Engineering, which is why I ended up pursuing a career outside my field. However, my degree gave me valuable skills especially analytical thinking. I learned how to interpret complex data, simplify technical concepts, and communicate meaningful insights. These abilities have helped me adapt and succeed in different roles, even outside engineering. So, while it wasn’t my passion, it definitely prepared me for a variety of challenges in the workplace.
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Nefeli’s Answer
Hello Yael!
I'm an Electrical and Computer Engineer. When I was in high school, I picked this domain because I was interested in Maths, Physics and programming. I also loved DIY activities on hardware. Personally I'm very satisfied with my career choice.
One thing you should know is that engineering is always a more practical field. A lot of people start because they have a general interest in the aforementioned domains. But in engineering you always learn maths and physics to apply it to everyday problems. If you are okay with that and don't want some very in-depth knowledge of theoretical maths and physics, I believe you will like engineering. Of course you can always do research in engineering in some more theoretical field, but in the end engineering is always engineering.
One other point is that the industry is even more practical than what you learn in university. A lot of my acquaintances from university were a bit disappointed with their first job, because they don't feel like they utilize well the skills they learned from university. That's why the job you pick is always important, but nothing is set in stone forever. Your first job can teach you many things and you can then evolve your path to fit your interests better.
Personally, I love electrical engineering. My field of focus is hardware and more specifically integrated circuits. It combines knowledge of physics (electromagnetism and semiconductor physics) with circuits and digital design. What I loved the most about my education is how I got to understand how the whole stack of computing works: from silicon to how a transistor works, to how information is represented in a computer in the form of 0 and 1, to how that creates assembly language, to how that is used for high-level programming languages. This is a very holistic view that I believe you can only get by understanding all the separate parts of the equation, and an engineering degree can teach you all these in detail.
I also believe electrical engineering in general has good job prospects. Of course nothing is 100% future-proof, and I believe it's a smart choice to always keep up with where technology is going. But working in electrical engineering means you get to work in the forefront of technology which shapes society. You can find many meaningful topics that will give your career purpose instead of just going to the office. I think this is a very important part of job satisfaction. If you love working out solutions to problems, learning how things work, creating new things and being in the frontline of technological evolution, electrical engineering is definitely the right place for you!
I'm an Electrical and Computer Engineer. When I was in high school, I picked this domain because I was interested in Maths, Physics and programming. I also loved DIY activities on hardware. Personally I'm very satisfied with my career choice.
One thing you should know is that engineering is always a more practical field. A lot of people start because they have a general interest in the aforementioned domains. But in engineering you always learn maths and physics to apply it to everyday problems. If you are okay with that and don't want some very in-depth knowledge of theoretical maths and physics, I believe you will like engineering. Of course you can always do research in engineering in some more theoretical field, but in the end engineering is always engineering.
One other point is that the industry is even more practical than what you learn in university. A lot of my acquaintances from university were a bit disappointed with their first job, because they don't feel like they utilize well the skills they learned from university. That's why the job you pick is always important, but nothing is set in stone forever. Your first job can teach you many things and you can then evolve your path to fit your interests better.
Personally, I love electrical engineering. My field of focus is hardware and more specifically integrated circuits. It combines knowledge of physics (electromagnetism and semiconductor physics) with circuits and digital design. What I loved the most about my education is how I got to understand how the whole stack of computing works: from silicon to how a transistor works, to how information is represented in a computer in the form of 0 and 1, to how that creates assembly language, to how that is used for high-level programming languages. This is a very holistic view that I believe you can only get by understanding all the separate parts of the equation, and an engineering degree can teach you all these in detail.
I also believe electrical engineering in general has good job prospects. Of course nothing is 100% future-proof, and I believe it's a smart choice to always keep up with where technology is going. But working in electrical engineering means you get to work in the forefront of technology which shapes society. You can find many meaningful topics that will give your career purpose instead of just going to the office. I think this is a very important part of job satisfaction. If you love working out solutions to problems, learning how things work, creating new things and being in the frontline of technological evolution, electrical engineering is definitely the right place for you!
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Godfred’s Answer
I studied electrical engineering for three years before switching to computer science, so I can speak to both sides of this question.
The truth is, electrical engineering is one of those fields where if you love it, you really love it. The people who stick with it are genuinely passionate about understanding how things work at a fundamental level. They get excited about circuit design, power systems, signal processing, all the stuff that makes modern technology possible. For them, it's not just a job, it's solving puzzles that matter.
But it's also not for everyone, and that's completely okay. I realized my interests leaned more toward software and systems rather than hardware and circuits. The transition to computer science felt right because I wanted to build things in a different way. That doesn't mean electrical engineering is bad; it just wasn't my thing.
What I appreciate now is how foundational electrical engineering is to everything. Even in computer science, understanding how hardware works gives you an edge. Knowing the electrical side helps you write better code, optimize performance, and understand why systems behave the way they do.
If you're considering electrical engineering, ask yourself: Do you genuinely enjoy understanding how physical systems work? Do you like hands-on problem solving with real components? Are you okay with math-heavy coursework and detailed technical work? If yes, you'll probably love it. If you're unsure, that's fine too. You can always explore and adjust your path like I did. The skills you gain are valuable no matter where you end up.
The truth is, electrical engineering is one of those fields where if you love it, you really love it. The people who stick with it are genuinely passionate about understanding how things work at a fundamental level. They get excited about circuit design, power systems, signal processing, all the stuff that makes modern technology possible. For them, it's not just a job, it's solving puzzles that matter.
But it's also not for everyone, and that's completely okay. I realized my interests leaned more toward software and systems rather than hardware and circuits. The transition to computer science felt right because I wanted to build things in a different way. That doesn't mean electrical engineering is bad; it just wasn't my thing.
What I appreciate now is how foundational electrical engineering is to everything. Even in computer science, understanding how hardware works gives you an edge. Knowing the electrical side helps you write better code, optimize performance, and understand why systems behave the way they do.
If you're considering electrical engineering, ask yourself: Do you genuinely enjoy understanding how physical systems work? Do you like hands-on problem solving with real components? Are you okay with math-heavy coursework and detailed technical work? If yes, you'll probably love it. If you're unsure, that's fine too. You can always explore and adjust your path like I did. The skills you gain are valuable no matter where you end up.
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Armando de Jesús’s Answer
Yes, I do like Electrical Engineering and I’ve found it to be a rewarding and dynamic field. What I enjoy most is how it blends problem-solving with real-world impact. Whether you're working on power systems, automation, or electronics, you're constantly learning and applying concepts that shape how people live and work.
That said, it’s not always easy. The field is highly regulated, and progressing in your career often involves formal steps like passing the FE exam, earning your EIT certification, and eventually working under a Professional Engineer (PE) for about four years before you can take the PE exam and apply for your license. It’s a structured path, but it ensures safety, quality, and credibility in the work we do.
Also, Electrical Engineering has a strong future. With the rise of data centers, AI, renewable energy, and advanced technologies, the demand for electrical engineers is growing. These innovations rely heavily on electrical infrastructure, automation, and power systems, all of them are core areas of this discipline. So if you're considering this field, you're looking at a career with long-term relevance and exciting opportunities.
That said, it’s not always easy. The field is highly regulated, and progressing in your career often involves formal steps like passing the FE exam, earning your EIT certification, and eventually working under a Professional Engineer (PE) for about four years before you can take the PE exam and apply for your license. It’s a structured path, but it ensures safety, quality, and credibility in the work we do.
Also, Electrical Engineering has a strong future. With the rise of data centers, AI, renewable energy, and advanced technologies, the demand for electrical engineers is growing. These innovations rely heavily on electrical infrastructure, automation, and power systems, all of them are core areas of this discipline. So if you're considering this field, you're looking at a career with long-term relevance and exciting opportunities.
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Priyanka’s Answer
I truly loved my job in electrical engineering. I took a short break to try something new, but now I'm excited to return. This field is fascinating and offers lots of practical work. You'll have the chance to use what you learned in college to solve real-world power issues.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
I enjoy being an electrical engineer because it combines technical knowledge with creativity to develop technologies that impact everyday life, from smartphones to power grids. If you are interested in solving real-world problems and working with innovative systems, electrical engineering offers a wide range of rewarding opportunities. It is a versatile and in-demand field with roles across many industries, including telecommunications, renewable energy, robotics, industrial automation, aviation, marine, manufacturing, construction, information technology, defense, healthcare, transportation, and research. The profession plays a key role in innovation and global advancement by enabling the design, development, and maintenance of critical systems such as smart grids, electric vehicles, medical devices, and IoT technologies.
To succeed in this field, you need a strong theoretical background, hands-on technical skills, especially in electrical installation, and essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, and time management. Overall, electrical engineering is a fulfilling career path for those who enjoy technical challenges, creative problem-solving, and contributing to meaningful technological progress.
If you have any other questions or would like more clarification, feel free to ask me.
To succeed in this field, you need a strong theoretical background, hands-on technical skills, especially in electrical installation, and essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, and time management. Overall, electrical engineering is a fulfilling career path for those who enjoy technical challenges, creative problem-solving, and contributing to meaningful technological progress.
If you have any other questions or would like more clarification, feel free to ask me.