How to Become an Electrical Engineer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 9, 2019 References Approved

If you love technology and are fascinated by electricity and power, then working as an electrical engineer may be ideal for you. Electrical engineers improve the lives of others via technology. To become an electrical engineer you will want to work on developing your math and science skills from high school onward. Enrolling and graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program is another important step. You will also want to pursue professional licensing after getting a few years of work experience in hand.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tailoring Your Education

1
Research the field. Go online and read the field descriptions offered by engineering schools. Buy, or borrow online, a few introductory books on engineering. As you continue your research, start to narrow down your focus to one particular subset of engineering, such as electrical or chemical. Electrical engineers specialize in working with electricity and electronic devices in order to improve human life.^{[1]
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- It is always helpful to speak with an actual engineer as well. You can always look up a university’s engineering faculty list online and then reach out to one of the professors via email. You might write, “Hello, I’m currently a student at Xavier High School. I’m very interested in pursuing engineering in college and was hoping that you could provide some advice.”
2
Investigate the job outlook. Go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website and look at the profile for electrical engineering. You will see statistics regarding job growth potential. The site also shows information on various career options for engineers. The median pay for electrical engineers in 2015 was $95,230.^{[2]
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information
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- The job growth profile for electrical engineers in 2015 is holding steady with neither growth nor decrease.
- Electrical engineers find jobs at all sorts of companies from Boeing to Nashville Electric. They also work in a number of fields, including manufacturing and consulting.^{[3]
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3
Choose your high school coursework carefully. Enroll in as many advanced math and science classes as possible. Physics courses, in particular, will prove useful to you later on. Do your best in these classes as your final grades will be closely scrutinized by college admissions committees. It may be helpful to take a few art classes to assess if you have a skill for drafting and design.^{[4]
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- Either at the high school level, or later on in college, make sure to take at least one general communication or business communication class. This will teach you how to effectively interact with your future clients.^{[5]
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Join the right school clubs. Of course, it is a good idea to become involved in any clubs that are of interest to you. However, if you are considering becoming an electrical engineer, it would be particularly helpful to participate in a robotics or technology group. Some of these clubs complete at the local, state, or national levels as well.^{[6]
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- If you are invited, you should participate in a club recognizing academic excellence, such as the National Honor Society. This can make your college admission application stand out from the crowd by showing your strong academic potential.
5
Enroll in an ABET-accredited engineering college program. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is responsible for assessing and choosing those university departments that adhere to the highest standards of the field. Going to an accredited school sets you on the right path to learn the latest technologies and to pass licensing exams later on in your career.^{[7]
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- If you are unsure as to whether or not a program is ABET-accredited, look closely at the department's website. Most departments will proudly display their accreditation status and some will even offer additional details, such as the date of the last ABET visit.^{[8]
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6
Do well in your engineering courses. It is not enough to get into a solid engineering program, you must get excellent grades as you move through the coursework. As an electrical engineering student, you will most likely follow a predetermined curriculum (heavy on math and science) with only a few elective courses mixed in. ^{[9]
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Research source} It is important to note that engineering exams require an application of what you've learned and will be more advanced than the assignments. It's critical to study old exams.
- Your major field classes will range from introductory surveys to more advanced courses focusing on circuits and other specific topics or projects. It is sometimes necessary to get a particular grade at the survey level before you are allowed to enroll in an advanced class.^{[10]
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Choose an electrical engineering sub-field. As you reach your junior and senior years, you should start to seriously consider the particular electrical engineering specialties that appeal to you. Professional electrical engineers can specialize in networking systems, neuroengineering, or many other areas.^{[11]
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- It may be helpful to talk with your professors. They can present you with all of your available options and help you to weigh the pros and cons of each. For example, some specialties, such as neuroengineering , are areas of strong job growth.
8
Consider pursuing an advanced degree. As you near your college graduation, you may want to investigate enrolling in a M.S. or Ph.D. program for electrical engineering. Getting an advanced degree can allow you to teach at the university level. It is also a good idea for anyone interested in conducting advanced electrical research.^{[12]
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- By some estimates, around 30% of undergraduate electrical engineering students go on to pursue an advanced degree in the field.^{[13]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Establishing Your Career

1
Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Either before you graduate from college or immediately thereafter, you will want to take and pass the FE exam offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This is a computer-administered test that assesses your general engineering knowledge. Doing well on this exam is the first step toward professional licensing.^{[14]
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- The exam is composed of 110 multiple-choice questions. It takes six hours to complete. Your results are usually available for online viewing about a week or so after you take the exam. You can learn more about the testing details by visiting the NCEES website.
- It is a good idea to study for this exam for a few months in advance, at least. You can find study guides, practice exams and reference handbooks via the NCEES website and via third party providers.^{[15]
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2
Apply for a job or apprenticeship. After you pass the FE exam, you must spend at least four years working under the supervision of a practicing engineer before you can apply for your own professional license. This period is often called an “apprenticeship” or internship, even if you work at a ‘traditional’ engineering job.^{[16]
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- As you consider your employment options you may want to look into the power utilities industry, health monitoring or medical technology, the defense industry, or manufacturing.^{[17]
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- Before you apply for a job you will need to craft a detailed resume showcasing your education and work experience. Include all of your relevant professional activities from college onward.
3
Keep a daily work diary. Carry a small notebook with you and jot down the details of each task performed. Or, spend 10 minutes every night at your computer updating a log containing your day’s activities. This log will help you to recount 4+ years’ worth of professional development, which you are required to do as part of most applications for licensing.^{[18]
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- For each project, your work log should contain: contact information for any other engineers or professionals involved; a detailed description of the project; the official job title; a list of the tasks that you completed.
4
Establish contacts in the field. As you complete various projects, try to make connections with other engineers. Talk to them about their experiences and work. Discuss research or advances in electrical technologies. You can even get involved with the NCEES as a volunteer, perhaps as a FE exam proctor.^{[19]
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- Check the NCEES website under the “New” tab for information on volunteer opportunities. You can also contact them directly via email to check on any upcoming events.
5
Keep track of any industry news. Being informed regarding your field is another important step on the road to becoming a true professional electrical engineer. Go to the website of your state’s licensing board and look for discussions of licensing changes or other news. Read the board’s newsletter, if they publish one, and consider writing an article for submission.^{[20]
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- The NCEES also publishes an annual report that can provide you with some insight regarding how that organization operates. And, the newsletter Squared serves as the official statistical record of engineering licensing.^{[21]
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Keep building your skill set. Spend some time thinking about your strengths and weaknesses as an engineer. Take on engineering jobs that will help you to continue your professional development. Stay fresh in your math skills by taking practice tests every now and then. Work on your technical writing skills by exchanging drafts with other professionals.^{[22]
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Receiving Your Independent License

1
Review your state’s licensing requirements. Licensing is the primary way for you to become a professional electrical engineer. Each state crafts their own particular licensing requirements. Look up the licensing board for your particular state and carefully read through all of the required materials and information.^{[23]
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- The NCEES website actually has an interactive map that can send you directly to the site for your state’s licensing board. This is a good place to start.
- It is important to know that without licensing your professional opportunities may be limited. For example, Texas and other states will only hire licensed, professional engineers for public works projects.^{[24]
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2
Take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Passing this 8-hour test is the first of many requirements for professionalization. It assesses your theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of electrical engineering. PE exam registration can be limited to only those engineers who have received prior board approval, so check your state’s guidelines.^{[25]
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- It is highly suggested that you study for this exam well prior to taking it. You can look at practice exams or discuss potential questions with your fellow engineers. However, the PE exam also allows you to bring in reference materials to use.
- Be aware that you will have to pay a fee for both the FE and PE exams. This fee varies depending on your location. And, your PE results will be ready 2-3 months post-test.^{[26]
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3
Write up your Supplementary Experience Record (SER). Many licensing boards will require that you transfer your diary information into a narrative format known as a SER essay. This 6-12 page piece of writing should trace your professional development from college onward.^{[27]
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- Pen your essay from a first-person perspective and keep your language engaging by using active verbs, such as, “calculated, or “evaluated.” Place your individual contributions at the center of the narrative.
4
Select your professional references. All licensing applications will require that you submit the contact information for, or a statement from, at least three professionals with whom you’ve worked. It is best if these persons are licensed professional engineers working out of the same state as you. It is quite possible that your references will be called upon to verify information found within your SER.^{[28]
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Get a local board license. When you’ve gathered all of the necessary materials go online to the licensing board’s website and fill out your application. Double-check to make sure that everything that is requested has been included and then hit the submit button. You can usually track the progress of your application online.^{[29]
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- If you dislike paperwork, you may want to consider the N Records Program offered by the NCEES. This program gathers all of the application information for you (with your data prompts) and completes the submission process as well. Be aware, however, that there is a per-submission fee for this service.^{[30]
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Community Q&A

Question

What subjects do I need to be good at if I must study electrical engineering?

Community Answer

You should have a good grasp at mathematics, especially calculus. Physics is also an important course to take. Some engineers also take art courses as a precursor to drafting. In every class that you take try to get the highest scores possible.
Question

If I'm bad at math, can I become an engineer?

Community Answer

Engineering involves a great deal of math. You would have to work hard at improving your math skills to become an engineer. It may be a good idea to take additional introductory math courses. Or, you could work with a tutor to master even more advanced concepts.
Question

Can I complete this degree in five years?

Community Answer

Yes, you can get your bachelor's degree in 4-5 years, depending on your courseload. It will take additional years if you choose to pursue an advanced degree. To get through coursework faster, make sure to attend all classes and pass every course the first time through.

Warnings

Be aware that electrical engineers often work as much as the job requires. This means that a 40-hour work week is not always the case.

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