All Engineering - Electrical jobs for students and graduates

Electrical engineering is considered to be one of the most popular engineering fields alongside computer, mechanical and civil engineering. This field specialises in supply and production of power, as well as being responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining electrical control systems and components that are required in specifications that focus on economy, safety, reliability, quality and sustainability.

Electrical engineers can be found in various different industries, designing and manufacturing electrical equipment in sectors such as1:

• Aerospace
• Armed forces
• Automation
• Building services industry and construction
• Defence industry
• Manufacturing
• Marine industry
• mining, oil and gas industry
• Petrochemical industry
• Power generation industry
• Transportation and transport networks etc.  

What requirements you need to fulfil

Educational

Employers prefer to hire graduates and although many organisations require graduates to have a master’s or doctoral degree for career advancement, it is not essential. For a graduate, it is required to have at least one degree in electrical engineering; partaking in electrical engineering classes such as electrical circuits, microprocessors and digital electronics. A few relevant subjects for electrical and electronic engineering are:

• Applied physics
• Building services engineering
• Computing and IT
• General engineering
• Mechanical and production engineering
• Mechatronic engineering 

Without an electrical engineering degree, it is still possible to apply if you have a degree in either one of the following:

• Aeronautical engineering
• Building services engineering
• Communications engineering
• Computing and software engineering
• Electromechanical engineering
• Mechanical and production engineering
• Physics and applied physics
• Power and energy engineering 

Personal skills

Some other requirements include having problem solving skills, critical and creative thinking, able to work independently as well as in a team, good oral and written communication skills, planning and organising skills, enthusiasm in the subject, commercially aware and knowing a second language could also be useful if applying for international companies. 

What you can expect

Through graduate programs, electrical engineering graduates are able to work full time and get paid while also receiving training and mentorship as well as having the opportunity to work in a range of different companies.

Training

Training varies depending on the size of the organisation. Some organisations offer training programs that would include on-the-job training while others offer graduates job rotations to help them get the necessary aptitude and experience. However, smaller organisations might no be able to provide that kind of training and it would be advised to check what kind of training arrangements are there when applying for the job.

Work activities and typical tasks

Electrical engineers can either be involved in all aspects and stages of design and development or just in one particular scope, depending on the company employer. There are ranges of activities and tasks you may expect to perform, but are not limited to2:

• Planning and designing power stations and equipment for power generators
• Developing and improving products such as electric motors, appliances, equipment, and components
• Using calculations to determine the type and arrangement of circuits, circuit-breakers, transformers, transmission lines and equipment
• Interpreting specifications, drawings, standards and regulations that relate to the use of electric power equipment
• Organising and managing material that are used to make electrical parts, machines, appliances and equipment
• Establishing delivery and installation schedules for machines, switchgear, cables and fittings
• Managing and inspecting the operation and maintenance of power stations, transmissions and distribution systems and industrial plants
• Designing and installing control and signalling devices for road, rail and air traffic
• Research in specialised areas such as power generation and transmission systems, transformers, switchgear and electric motors, telemetry and control systems 

In addition, electrical engineers are most likely to work in project teams that consist of engineers from different specialists areas alongside working with architects, marketing and sales staff, manufacturers, technicians and customer service personnel.

Employment

In 2012, the employment rate of electrical engineers rose by 47.4% during the past five years, with 5,800 of both genders employed in part time and full time, and has been expected to grow steadily through to 20173. The most frequently reported occupations were professions in design, engineering, science and transport, ICT, and specialist managers. However, other occupations that graduates can expect to find themselves in are:

• Armed forces technical officer
• Control and instrumentation engineer
• Computer engineer
• Electrical design engineer
• Electrical engineering associate
• Electrical or electronics engineering technologists
• Electronics engineer
• Marine electrical engineer
• Telecommunications researcher etc.

Shortages in the engineering sector of electro technology and telecommunications technicians and trades sector, as well as other engineering sectors have been reported in different regions of Australia; NSW, VIC and QLD being the top three regions for employment in electrical engineering with 38.9%, 21.5% and 15.8% respectively. Individual occupations that are needed in the sector according to the Australian government’s department of employment are4:

• Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
• Electrical engineering draftsperson and technician
• Electrical lines worker
• Electrician (general)
• Electronic instrument trades worker
• Telecommunications trades worker 

Salary and benefits

The median salary for a bachelor degree graduation in the field of electrical engineering working full-time is between $55,000 to $65,000 annually5. Being an electrical engineer graduate, you are able to work with people from other engineering fields and have the opportunity to work on various projects in addition to being exposed to a variety of different professions and industries that you are able to choose from ranging from power, control, electronics, microelectronics, signal processing, communication, instrumentation and computers.

1 Prospects, Electrical engineer. 2015
2 Job Outlook, Electrical Engineers, 2015
3 Open Universities Australia, Engineers (Electrical), 2015
4 Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational skill shortages information. 2015
5 Graduate Careers Australia, Electrical Engineering – Bachelor Graduates (All), 2015