Qualified electrical engineers can find work in a wide range of industries, from public servant positions to business ventures. Specific opportunities for electrical engineers include positions in the electronics, telecommunications and robotics industries working with electronic and digital technologies. A successful electrical engineer will possess several important qualities.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers work with electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The primary duties of this profession include designing, developing, testing and overlooking the production or installation of electrical equipment, components and systems. To become a licensed professional electrical engineer, you must pass the Fundamentals of Engineers and the Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations. Licensure and certification help with career advancement and professional development. Basic requirements you will have to meet for licensure include having normal color vision and excellent hand-eye coordination.

Personal Qualities

To succeed as an electrical engineer, you need an analytical mindset and must excel at mathematics, science and physics. Further, you should be detail-oriented, systematic and highly computer-literate. Good communication skills and logical problem-solving abilities are also essential in this field. Additionally, you must have a keen interest in science and technology, work well as part of a team and have the ability to find imaginative and creative solutions to problems.

Education and Training

The minimum requirement to become an electrical engineer is a high school degree or GED equivalent. However, many electrical engineering jobs require a bachelor´s or master's degree in a relevant field. Apart from the formal education requirement, you will also need hands-on experience that includes practical problem-solving. Vocational schemes and apprenticeships can help you gain this experience. Also, different branches of engineering may require different skills. For example, a bioengineer will need an extensive background in biology.

Skills and Knowledge

Electrical engineers must complete all the necessary educational and professional training. Additionally, many employers require electrical engineers to demonstrate effective interpersonal and time management skills, as these engineers generally work with teams on specific projects. Spoken and written skills are also must, as this career will require you to communicate findings, present recommendation and discuss issues.