Navigating Career Paths in Electrical Engineering
As an electrical engineering student, the variety of job opportunities you have is only limited by your imagination and the level of risk you are willing to take. Sometimes, the challenges you face can be likened to the ticket to a game. While these challenges can be daunting, they also serve as a gateway to new experiences and opportunities to grow professionally.
Choosing the Right Path
When it comes to choosing a job, it is important to consider your interests and the subfields of electrical engineering that resonate with you. Your choice of career can often shape your interests and future aspirations. The key is to find a community of like-minded individuals who share similar goals and aspirations. This not only provides support but also accelerates your learning process. Even if you make mistakes, they are valuable learning experiences. As the saying goes, 'If you make a mistake, you will be smarter and better positioned to get a new job.' This is why it is crucial to embrace failures as part of the growth journey.
Small Businesses and Self-Starters
For those who are entrepreneurial or self-starters, small businesses can be an excellent platform for growth. Working in a small company, you might be the only one familiar with a specific technology or task. This unique opportunity allows you to learn on the job and expand your knowledge base. It is important to be fearless and embrace these challenges. Your willingness to take on new tasks and responsibilities will often lead to significant growth and development.
Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Making mistakes is an intrinsic part of the learning process. It is often through trial and error that we gain the necessary experience to excel in our careers. Whether you are working for a large company or a start-up, having the ability to adapt and learn from your mistakes is crucial.
Considering Company Size and Mentorship
If self-starting is not in your nature, working for a larger company might be a better fit. In these settings, you are more likely to receive guidance and mentorship, which can be invaluable. Having a mentor in your field can provide you with insights, support, and direction, making your career journey smoother and more fulfilling.
Respect and Collaboration
It is also important to treat all your colleagues with respect, regardless of their position within the company. This fosters a positive work environment and can lead to better collaboration and problem-solving. Effective communication and professional respect can make a significant difference in your overall career trajectory.
Personal Career Experience
My career path as an electrical engineering professional spans decades. While the field has evolved, there are still common themes. I graduated from a mid-western college in 1980 with an EE degree. I was a diligent student and understood the subject matter well. My technical know-how helped me pass technical verbal interviews, and I received multiple job offers from large companies. However, I chose to work for a start-up, which turned out to be an excellent choice for learning and experience.
At the start-up, my initial assignments were centered around manufacturing issues. Although my work was challenging due to the company's failure to succeed in manufacturing and marketing, I learned a lot about reliability of connectors and printed circuit board layouts, two areas that I previously knew little about. The experience was stressful, but it was also formative. The company eventually shut down after about two years, and I moved on to work for a small computer manufacturer, where my role involved creating a test fixture for a disk controller. This was a valuable learning experience.
After working at the computer manufacturer for 15 months, I decided to return to school for a Master's Degree in Computer Science. My subsequent career involved various programming jobs, culminating in 13 years at a large Silicon Valley networking manufacturer. My work in network management involved some early Java programming, a significant step at that time. However, a lot of my efforts were discarded, leading to many long-term projects being discontinued. Despite this, I was happy with the generous offer of early retirement in 2011.
The lesson is clear: while electrical engineering offers a wide array of opportunities, the path is not always straightforward. It requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.