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Chapter Nine

Engineering Your Career

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Engineering Careers

Electrical and computer engineers find employment in:

1. Private industry.2. Government agencies.3. Research laboratories.4. Educational institutions.5. Start their own company.

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Engineering Careers Regardless of the organization new engineers start

out with very small projects. These simple projects will help you gain experience

in engineering methods and company practices Most companies assign new engineers to work with a

more experienced engineers who will show you how things are done, check your work, and offer you advice on your career.

This mentoring relation is also beneficial to the mentor who may be able to learn new concepts you learned at school.

Some Computer and Electrical Engineers decide to work in other field such as medicine, law, or business.

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Further Engineering Study

Many jobs require advanced engineering training (research labs, educational institutions)

Engineering education beyond the bachelor’s degree take place in graduate school.

In graduate school, the broad education you received as an undergraduate will be the starting point for further study in narrower, more specialized field.

Further study can be directly after B.S. or after working for a few years.

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Licensure Licensing requirements exist to help protect the

public from unqualified practitioners. Not all engineers are required to be licensed to

practice engineering. Engineers who require licenses are generally

those who work on large public project such as bridges and buildings (nearly all civil engineers are licensed).

Electrical engineers on electrical power distribution need license, while those in private companies do not need license.

Licensure is a mean for demonstrating a level of competence as an engineer and is a nice addition to the resume.

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Licensure To obtain your license in the united states:1. Obtain your degree from ABET-accredited

school.2. Take an examination called (FE) the

Fundamentals of Engineering (an all-day test of your knowledge of the basics of engineering science & the specifics of your discipline.

3. Practice engineering with supervision from licensed engineers.

4. State board examination grant you a license as professional engineer P.E.

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Lifelong Learning

You need to develop the skills required to search topics and find useful information by yourself. Using the following resources:

1. Magazines and Journals Some publications are distributed to engineers for free. Articles are usually written on a very technical level, but

they indicate where more information can be found. Journals contain more technical articles and can be used

to study the latest research in a new field. Books contain older and less up-to-date information but

offer the advantage of providing an overview of an entire field in one place

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Lifelong Learning2. Technical Conferences Professional organizations sponsor periodic

conferences on nearly any technical topic. At conferences experts present their latest

results and exchange ideas on new direction that technology should take.

Conferences offer short extensive courses on certain topics (one week), these courses offer someone with general engineering training the ability to become knowledgeable in a new field quickly.

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Lifelong Learning

3. Internet The internet offers extremely easy access to a wealth of

information, this information comes from educators who post their knowledge on the Web, or from manufacturers who post information about their products.

There is no guarantee that the information you find on the internet is correct.

Information that found in journals and most books has been reviewed by competent experts in the field to ensure that the statements that are made are valid. No such review process exists for information on the Internet.

It is essential to evaluate the source of the information and be sure that the source is reputable, and reliable for accurate information.

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Lifelong Learning4. University Courses The training, that you will require, can best be obtained

in more formal traditional setting. Some schools provide in-depth courses and degree

programs that you might need in technical areas. Some schools offer business courses and degree

program for those who are interested in moving into a more managerial role.

Most universities now offer such courses and degree programs through distance education technologies. These include delivery of course via video links (remote sites).

Many universities offer courses via the Internet.

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Professional Organizations

The IEEE is the professional organization for electrical and computer engineers.

IEEE publishes numerous journals relating to EE and CPE.

IEEE sponsors annual conferences on a variety of topics.

IEEE serves as a advocate for electrical and computer engineers and engineering profession.

Membership in the IEEE provides you with ready access to the information needed to be successful in your career.

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Professional Organizations

It provides the opportunity to “network” with other electrical and computer engineers employed in organizations other than your own.

IEEE helps to establish industry standards for electrical and computer technology through the code of ethics.

Membership is offered to students at a greatly reduced rate.

It is beneficial to join IEEE while you are a student to help you in your career.