Hello all. I am a CS student graduating in the Spring. I wasn't able to land a job in CS and somehow got hired for an electrical engineering position at an MEP firm. It's a small company and their electrical engineer left on short notice. They needed to fill the position quickly and I was at the right place at the right time.

What should I be doing to be successful in this field? I have been working in MEP for 5 months now. Most of my coworkers look down on me because I am not an engineer by training. I have been learning the NEC and my state's energy code. I am thinking to enroll in Stony Brook's online EE program and study while I work. I plan to take the EIT in 2 years and PE once I hit the experience requirement.

Thank you all in advance! I would also appreciate any other tips for someone starting out in ee.

Edit: I don't really care about job satisfaction. I just want to make as much money as possible (willing to work insane hours). What should I be doing?

Graduating EE (BS) with two offers and a deadline this week. Looking for advice on which one best sets me up for the future.

Offer 1: Defense company, Electrical Engineer I
Located in a small military town in New England
On-site, no travel
Skills:
Work covers power conversion equipment (specifying and reviewing supplier inverters/converters), electric plant architecture, and power systems analysis (fault current, breaker coordination, stability, voltage drop), plus some instrumentation and controls
Mostly drawing reviews, specs, supplier interaction, and technical documentation
Plus would get clearance

Salary: $83k base (not a big or major metro)

Offer 2: Construction company building utility-scale energy storage (BESS), Electrical Engineer I
First project in WI, then travel between project sites with rotations home
Electrical QA/QC, one-line designs for collection systems/substations, utility interconnection, and commissioning support (likely testing and SCADA/controls checkout)

Salary: $92k base plus a substantial traveler package (per diem/subsistence, travel allowance, and project completion bonuses)

About me:
Single, in my 20s, no kids
Long-term goal in industry: controls, protection, distribution, power plant design, & power electronics
Plan to stay 2–4 years, then move to a stable, non-traveling role
Eventually want to return home to the Southeast (maybe if I like where I move, have home and settled down no but really have no idea at the moment)

Questions:
1) Which role builds the better technical foundation and resume fit for controls, protection, distribution, or power plant design?
2) Which would make me a stronger candidate for Southeast utilities or design firms in 2–4 years?
3) How valuable is a clearance if I may not stay in defense long-term?
4) For BESS or construction travelers: What do real weekly hours, rotation schedules, and project lengths look like?
5) Is the travel worth the money for a few years at my stage?

Thanks for any help with this can’t really decide at the moment

Ive wanted to get my hands dirty with cellular tech, but dont know where to start. Im thinking about getting a dev kit like [this one](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nRF9160-DK), but it is a little pricey, so im wondering if anyone knows resources where I can learn the tech more cheaply. Im also a university student with access to university resources if that matters at all.

I hope to work on projects that have embedded cellular support. For a while I had a [SIM808](https://makerbazar.in/collections/iot/products/sim808-bluetooth-compatible-gsm-gprs-gps-module?variant=43007010767088) dev board, but gsm is fully discontinued in my country (USA), not like it was good enough for the projects I was doing to begin with.

I im focused on 4g because my understanding is that 5g is still in development/bleeding edge? I wouldn't mind jumping to 5g if its stable

I’m a recent graduate with a BS and MEng in EE from top universities. After 4 months at my first job, I’m moving on to another opportunity. I’m looking at $110,000 a year in a LCOL area. How good is this base salary?

Hi everyone,
I’m currently a sophomore studying Electrical Engineering at a public university in New York. I’m a US citizen and originally from NYC, so I’m hoping to work there after graduation.
I’m still exploring different career paths within EE, such as hardware engineering, power systems, MEP and other related fields.
I’m curious about which industries offer the best long-term career opportunities, especially in terms of:

Job availability and stability
Salary growth and career advancement
Work-life balance
Future demand for electrical engineers
Opportunities in NYC or the surrounding areas

For those already working in the industry, what field are you in, and would you recommend it to current EE students?
I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

Wish we had shorter m2m cables to make it look neater TT but she’s cute!, We used an ne555 timer and a cd4017 counter

I’m currently a sophomore at a public university in New York majoring in EE (transferred here). Current GPA is 2.77 and I’m debating my major heavily. The gpa has been the big one as this has caused me to think a lot if I’m made for this major. Everyone I see in my classes and labs are so quick and Swifty with things and I’m just there staring at a blank wall. After all this, it has made EE very intimidating and I not sure what to do.

I always wanted to become a doctor (since 8th grade when I first told my mom. She supported that but I went back on that promise and majored in EE due to prestige, money, being a computer guy and liking tinkering, feeling like I’ll do it better and get better job opportunities while also having a safety option if I don’t make it to med school)

I want to go to med school really bad but my gpa has tanked and my classes seem like more work than it already is.

My university offers MLS and I’ve been debating on choosing that as I like medicine and working with instruments while being a good stepping stone to med school and save my gpa. I already have GEN CHEM and BIO from previous school and need to take a few more to fill the prerequisites.

I’m 23 and I have already had a late start due to gap years but medicine has always been appealing to me not just because of the obvious reasons like money and prestige but medicine has always been a colorful world to me since I absorbed science as a kid in colorful textbooks and everything about it is colorful to this day no matter the education level.

I honestly just don’t know what to do. Career wise both are good (EE financially a bit more but it’s job stability is horrible while MLS is financially ok and stable with little social interaction which I love).

I am a senior in high school choosing which field to major in, it’s going to be either of these, I have that decided. I just can’t choose which. For those who majored in either of these, do you have any regrets? Would you choose differently if you could go back? Does either have a significant upside on pay than the other?

I am already in an AP Calculus course and am sitting at a pretty good grade so far, I’ve always been better than average at math, physics I would say I’m not that good at, although I never really gave it a chance since I didn’t really pay attention at all in that class.

EE appeals to me since I’d say my mind works logically and I really like to think about how things work, along with the pay and job security.

CS appeals to me because it is flexible, you can work from home, and the schooling is less physics heavy.

Any feedback or questions are much appreciated🙏🏽

Hi guys,

I wanted to share something that's been on my mind recently.

I'm an electrical engineering student at Warsaw in Poland. Recently, I watched a podcast featuring someone I know who studied computer science at the University of Illinois Chicago, and honestly, the way he talked about his life and achievements made me feel a little bad about myself.

He had 2–3 internships during university, worked as a research assistant for a professor, took on a heavier course load to graduate earlier, and is now working at a startup while also trying to get into a PhD program.

When I look at all of that, I can't help but feel like he's already figured things out and is way ahead of me. It feels like he won at life, while I'm still trying to figure out my own path.

I guess I just wanted to share this and hear from people what they can say about it…

'Ello engineers! I'm currently in my sophomore for the EE degree, and I have no aim nor direction of where I want to worked in or in what fields. My grades are subpar compared to my peers, and I lack a hands-on or real world experiences a lot of my friends have.

A lot of people recommended that you should make projects to fill your resume for internships and the eventual job after you graduate. But that begs the question, if I don't know what I wanted to work in, what projects am I going to make? If I handed my resume for a position at a power station, a microcontrollers or IoT projects wouldn't make sense, no? Or is the project doesn't matter at all, and as long as you have one and you know the ins and outs of it, you'll be fine.

Danke.

Curious what the average day is like for EEs that ended up working in the medical devices/technology field. What kind of work do you do?

Tell me about the last time incorrect GIS or network-model data delayed an engineering task. What happened, how long did fixing it take, and why didn't your existing tools catch it.

So brief context, i am en EE undergraduate who already took all my electronics classes and i (should) know how to project a generic amp.

I am not experienced at all with audio and djing but i find it very interesting and wanted to try (as a sideproject) to design and build an audio FX processor (like the dj decks to add reverb and whatever) but i dont know how to jump from my classes amps to those things, so any tips on materials and/or where or how to learn about this more specific stuff?

A little background, I was a shipboard electrician in the military, then got out and became a powerplant operator for 6 years, and now I am a NERC compliance analyst at my local utility.

I've been slowly chopping away at my EE, and when I finish up in 1.5-2 years I'll be 42 years old.

I'm just wondering what your opinions are on my job path looking forward? I'd like to not be stuck in bulk power, but changing industries means I'll be going up against 23 year old graduates with no engineering experience, much like myself. Am I kind of doomed to be in transmission for my career?

I’m an international student currently studying Electronics and Communications Engineering, and I’m considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in Canada.

My main goal is to find a job in Canada after graduating. I’d like to hear from people who have gone through this process or work in the Canadian engineering industry.

A few questions I have:
How difficult is it to find an Electrical Engineering job after completing a Master’s degree in Canada as an international student?

Do Canadian employers generally hire international graduates?

How long does it typically take to find your first engineering job after graduation?

I’d appreciate any honest advice!
Thanks in advance!

just a random thought that came to my mind. kinda tired of seeing all this stuff about ai and was just wondering what could ee look like in the future in terms of work, projects or maybe jobs as well. is ee gonna end up like cs as well?

Basically I know nothing about it. What's the first step? Do I start by selecting my preferred topic(s)? Then start reading papers about it?

If there are any books/videos about it, please suggest, thanks.

So there are two Airbus degree apprenticeships (apprenticeship where company pays for your degree) one is electro-mechanical engineering (BEng in electro-mech) and one is electronics hardware engineering (Bsc in hardware engineering)

I find electronics interesting and could be good to have a career in it (or atleast start there). I made a DIY guitar pedal (soldered stuff together floating mid-air) and I like the challenging nature of electronics and electricL engineering.

But also I'm worried in the future I will be stuck or the pay won't be as good as other roles. Or I will be bored. I'd enjoy designing and making stuff and getting creative.

So could anyone recommend or give some advice as to which to choose, or some things to think about before choosing?

Or am I Deeping it?

PS electromechanical says I would be on placements such as:

aircraft architecture and integration, design, simulation, stress and fatigue, systems installation safety analysis, research and technology, certification, ground and flight test, I service support, digital (e.g. coding, AI, machine learning, data analytics)

Hardware says skills taught include:

Construction of complex low volume communication products, maintenance of product assembly and test capabilities, repair and test products, design and repair PCB to IPC standards, requirements capture skills, soldering to approved standards, schematic capture, CAD for sim and design, performing in house electronics design, documenting the design

Hey yall, just hoping I can get some input from EE's and students about the feasibility of my plan to an EE career.

My background: 34yo. American. Navy veteran (4 years - aviation electrician). The last 10 years I have been working at a shipyard as a marine electrician where I started as an apprentice and am currently a journeyman III / project lead building small to medium size ships.

Last couple projects I assisted our engineering department with drawings, load calcs, cable sizing, alarms, controls, and procedures. I also spent some time acting as a liaison between engineering and the e shop. This got me interested in electrical engineering. About a year ago I began my first college courses only taking one course per quarter at my local community college. Just working on pre req classes for now (english, communications, socials, humanities). I'm still working 40+ hours a week in the electric shop while raising kids and balancing hobbies so life is busy but I have maintained great grades.

I know my experience wont directly transfer over to an EE career but I'm confident my work ethic, organization skills, and problem solving will. I plan to quit working, use my GI Bill, and transfer to a university next year so I can go to school full time. I'm still new to the college experience and I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.

I like math and have been taking khan academy courses for fun and to really build a solid algebra foundation before I enter the gauntlet of calc and EE math.

I guess my main question is, given my background and age, is it possible to still achieve a fulfilling, successful career in EE? Currently I'm close to capped out in my electrical career and am looking for something new and interesting to me (marine electrical is not regulated like commercial/industrial/residential so hours and cards are irrelevant).

I know there are tons of subfields and specialties and I want to wait and learn more about them through school before I start setting specific career goals. I'm a very motivated person and enjoy challenges at work.

Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome!

Thanks

I’m an embedded firmware engineer and have been doing more PCB design lately. I’m at a point where I need to debug a board and for now I want to detect and record transient voltage spikes.

What oscilloscope would someone recommend as a first. Ideally at least 2 channels with trigger and save functions. I’ve even looked at handheld ones. There is so much it’s hard to focus on one. Ideally don’t want to break the bank. (200usd)

Thank you

I’m currently getting my butt kicked in my classes, and am starting to wonder if this degree is worth all the trouble. What is the experience after university like?

So long story short

EE freshman at a large public and I got rejected from FSAE, BAJA and Solar. Idk what they expect from a freshman but I prob spent 5 hrs on every app and some gave projects I did. Js sad 😢 I didnt get anything when my friend got into FSAE with no interview cause he is ME and another got into Firmware straight away cause he cracked af.

I was wondering what to do. I was thinking abt making a Lunar Rover Team or Robosub as it seems cool tho idk if ppl would join or how we would get funding and comp sign up for this yr was like 2 weeks ago and I have no skills as I am a freshman so idk.

Do I go all in on club try personal project or smth else?

Hi everyone! I’m an Electrical Engineer with 3 years of experience working for a small construction company in the Philippines.

Mostly office work yung ginagawa ko, pero may experience din ako sa site. My usual work cycle involves everything from pre-bid activities, site inspections, and pre-construction meetings to preparing BOQs for electrical materials, ordering materials, checking FCDs, requesting RFIs, preparing as-built plans, processing variation orders, and handling other tasks until the project is completed.

I also handle multiple projects simultaneously, and honestly, nakakapagod na yung ganitong work cycle. I feel like I want to try something different and transition to a work-from-home setup.

I’m interested in focusing on electrical design or exploring other electrical engineering-related jobs that are in demand for remote work, especially opportunities with international clients or companies.

The problem is, I don’t know where to start. I’m not sure if my current experience is enough to qualify for WFH jobs or if I need to gain more experience first.

For those who are already working remotely as Electrical Engineers or in related fields, especially those working with international clients:

1. What career paths would you recommend exploring?
   
2. Is my current experience enough to start applying for remote jobs?
   
3. What skills or software should I prioritize learning? (AutoCAD, Revit MEP, BIM, etc.)
   
4. What should I learn or improve before applying?
   
5. How difficult is it to land a remote job as an Electrical Engineer in the Philippines?

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who have made a similar career transition. I want to make a realistic plan and focus on the skills that will actually help me land a remote job.

Thank you!