Jazmin
Electrical vs. Industrial Engineering
I’m a high school student trying to choose between Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, and I’m considering universities in both Europe and the United States.
I want to be honest: I’m not currently passionate about Electrical Engineering specifically. A major reason I’m considering it is the career opportunities and earning potential, and I’m willing to work very hard to become good at it. I’m currently doing AS-Level Math and Physics, but I would describe myself as an average student in math/science rather than naturally gifted.
Industrial Engineering is actually the engineering field I’m most interested in because I like the combination of engineering, business, economics, optimization, and problem-solving. However, I’m worried about the job market and earning potential for Industrial Engineers, especially in Europe and the US.
For someone with my background:
1. How difficult is Electrical Engineering actually at university?
2. Can an average math/science student realistically succeed in EE with enough studying, tutoring, and persistence?
3. What are the main career paths and earning potential for Electrical vs. Industrial Engineering in Europe and the US?
4. Is choosing EE mainly for its stronger job market and salary potential a reasonable decision if I don’t currently have a strong interest in electricity/electronics?
5. If you were in my position, would you choose the field you find more interesting (Industrial Engineering) or the one with potentially stronger technical career opportunities (Electrical Engineering)?
6. What do you wish you had known before choosing your engineering major?
I’d especially appreciate answers from people who have actually studied or worked in Electrical or Industrial Engineering.
1 answer
Wes Godard
Wes’s Answer
1. How difficult is Electrical Engineering actually at university?
-- This will depend on the university you attend. While the concepts taught will be similar the professor's material, experience, and teaching skills will all be factors that could make it difficult or not for you. EE is a lot of math. If you pick up math easily, then EE may come easy. For me, the math was not interesting in the end.
2. Can an average math/science student realistically succeed in EE with enough studying, tutoring, and persistence?
-- I believe this depends on the persons ability to understand new concepts.
3. What are the main career paths and earning potential for Electrical vs. Industrial Engineering in Europe and the US?
-- I graduated in Oregon, and at the time the big recruiter for EE was Intel. Entry positions were fab floor QC/QA. Basically wearing a "bunny suit" on the fab floor walking around with a clip board and filling out spreadsheets. The pay was good for 2002, (~$30k), low stress, but not how I wanted spend my work day.
4. Is choosing EE mainly for its stronger job market and salary potential a reasonable decision if I don’t currently have a strong interest in electricity/electronics?
-- I think only you can answer this. I would listen to your gut. I know that's not very helpful, and I'm sorry. A job and a career is where you will spend the majority of your waking hours. How do you want to feel at the end of the day before you go to bed? How do you need to spend your waking hours so you can achieve that feeling before bed? You may also have extenuating circumstances that will dictate a necessary salary. In which case, I would continue your research into the required investment in education and the potential earnings.
5. If you were in my position, would you choose the field you find more interesting (Industrial Engineering) or the one with potentially stronger technical career opportunities (Electrical Engineering)?
-- If I did it again I would go with the option that's more interesting. You may find that learning comes easier, motivation and focus are readily available. You may see the "work" as fun and enjoyable and looking forward to it. That's what I hope for you in any choice you make. Find something you're excited to do and would do for free.
6. What do you wish you had known before choosing your engineering major?
-- I wish I had explored trades like welding or anything to do with cars. I love working on cars in my spare time.
Wes recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions. Your perspective was actually really helpful, especially hearing that you studied EE yourself and later realized that you enjoyed working with people and business more than the math. I think I’m going to keep researching both Electrical and Industrial Engineering before making a decision, but your advice about choosing something that genuinely interests me rather than only looking at earning potential definitely gave me something to think about. I really appreciate your help.
Jazmin