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How to choose a sub field of Electrical Engineering?
I am going into my third year of EE, and my only two major ee classes so far have been circuits and logic design and my curriculum is very broad. How do I approach choosing a subfield in ee sooner rather than later? I want to be able to choose a field and understand well enough to get an internship. Furthermore, how can I connect with professionals in that field?
Thank you for your help.
#engineering #college-major #college #engineering
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4 answers
Updated
Nagendra’s Answer
Dear Taner,
To knew latest in the field of your interest please check the paper submission in IEEE and try to contact the authors in the email. You may also show your interest to help them in assiting them so that you can learn more and also become co-author their papers. All the best for your bright future
To knew latest in the field of your interest please check the paper submission in IEEE and try to contact the authors in the email. You may also show your interest to help them in assiting them so that you can learn more and also become co-author their papers. All the best for your bright future
Hello Nagendra,
I haven't looked into this, I was involved in the IEEE chapter in my school! I will definitely do this.
Thank you for your response, help, and time.
Taner
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Hi Taner,
Choosing a sub field in engineering would be based on your interests.
Are you leaning toward a technology company? Take a programming course.
Interested in working on biomedical systems? Maybe take a biological science course.
Maybe finding an EE internship that isn't too specific will help you figure out which sub field you want to pursue.
Are there student engineering organizations at your school you can join? Normally they are a chapter of a bigger organization which can connect you to professionals who can further help you (also to network with).
Choosing a sub field in engineering would be based on your interests.
Are you leaning toward a technology company? Take a programming course.
Interested in working on biomedical systems? Maybe take a biological science course.
Maybe finding an EE internship that isn't too specific will help you figure out which sub field you want to pursue.
Are there student engineering organizations at your school you can join? Normally they are a chapter of a bigger organization which can connect you to professionals who can further help you (also to network with).
Hello Jay,
I am still exploring my interests, and looking for new learning opportunities!
Your response helped a lot.
Thank you so much for your time and kindness.
Taner
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Taner,
I graduated UC Berkeley in 2005 with a EECS major, with a focus on analog circuit design, and I would like to advise you to choose your focus carefully. My GPA was pretty horrendous, but still, I remember at career fairs that people really cared about my EE focus, as it really determined what kind of a job you'd have. For example, I don't know many friends who had an analog circuit design focus that ended up with CS jobs, and visa-versa.
To gain further insight into what you'd like to focus in, I would highly recommend asking friends/professors to see if you can get a tour or meet with different types of EE engineers. I got a chance to do this through my girlfriend's (at the time) honor society (HKN). They happened to have a spot open for a one day visit to Analog Design, and talking to the engineers really allowed me to see that I really, really didn't want to do analog design. If I had that same tour in my freshman or sophomore year, I feel like I would have switched to CS, which would have been much better fit for me.
Lastly, most major companies have a university relations team. You can meet them during career fairs or maybe even find them on linkedin or other resources. If you reach out to them, perhaps you can get a campus tour (or find out when they're doing it and get an RSVP to it).
I wish you the best of luck and I hope you choose a focus that you fall in love with. :)
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Dexter
I graduated UC Berkeley in 2005 with a EECS major, with a focus on analog circuit design, and I would like to advise you to choose your focus carefully. My GPA was pretty horrendous, but still, I remember at career fairs that people really cared about my EE focus, as it really determined what kind of a job you'd have. For example, I don't know many friends who had an analog circuit design focus that ended up with CS jobs, and visa-versa.
To gain further insight into what you'd like to focus in, I would highly recommend asking friends/professors to see if you can get a tour or meet with different types of EE engineers. I got a chance to do this through my girlfriend's (at the time) honor society (HKN). They happened to have a spot open for a one day visit to Analog Design, and talking to the engineers really allowed me to see that I really, really didn't want to do analog design. If I had that same tour in my freshman or sophomore year, I feel like I would have switched to CS, which would have been much better fit for me.
Lastly, most major companies have a university relations team. You can meet them during career fairs or maybe even find them on linkedin or other resources. If you reach out to them, perhaps you can get a campus tour (or find out when they're doing it and get an RSVP to it).
I wish you the best of luck and I hope you choose a focus that you fall in love with. :)
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Dexter
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Chemical engineer responding here. From working in industry for 8 years I can tell you picking a (or stressing) sub-field as an undergraduate won't make much of difference in terms of career trajectory. Companies want to hire well rounded engineers who are good problems solvers and easy to get a along with(very important! No one wants to work with a jerk!). Focus on being the kind of engineer who can logical work their way any type of problem and has good communication skills. If you do this you will be able to eventually work in whatever field you want to work in. I say eventually because sometimes the first job can be a crapshot depending the economy and whichever industry is up/down at the time.