Pursuing a career in electrical engineering can provide an opportunity for one to work in a range of industries. It also provides an opportunity for advancement throughout their careers. This career path has relevance even in the future. As long as there is electricity in the world, electrical engineers will remain in huge demand across the world. These engineers have a variety of options for pursuing better job opportunities all over the world.

Electrical engineering is concerned with the generation, transmission, distribution, and application of electrical energy required to power small-scale systems such as sensors for space stations. Electrical engineers are responsible for creating devices that generate electricity or consume power. Pursuing a career in electrical engineering will require one to have specific qualifications that will enable you to carry out a technical job.

I will guide you through the qualifications to have when pursuing a career in electrical engineering.

How to Become an Electrical Engineer

1. Obtain an O’level  Certificate

   You must have a minimum of credits in subjects such as chemistry, physics, mathematics and English Language. While pursuing electrical engineering, you will be required to use the knowledge of science and mathematics daily. Therefore, you should build a strong foundation in this subject area.

2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

   This is an important step in pursuing a career in electrical engineering. You should apply to an accredited university and study to get a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

3. Get Practical Experiences

   For you to excel in this career path, you need to have practical knowledge and not just theoretical knowledge. You should apply for internships or apprenticeships while studying and even after obtaining your degree. This can enable you to have an experience of a real-world problem. Furthermore, you will gain hands-on experiences which will add to your knowledge. Additionally, this can experience can enrich your CV and set you up for better opportunities.

4. Pursue an Advanced Degree

   You can consider pursuing a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. This can help in your career advancement and also give you access to more opportunities.

5. Choose an Area of Specialisation

   There are different fields of specialisation in the field of electrical engineering. You should consider your interests, strengths and long-term goals when choosing a field.

6. Explore Certifications

   You can take extra courses in fields under electrical engineering. This can provide you with specialised skills that will enhance your employability. Additionally, ensure that the courses and certifications you take are recognized and credible.

7. Join Professional Associations

   You must register and become a member of professional organizations under electrical engineering. Additionally, you should attend conferences, events and workshops organized by these organisations. This will enable you to network with professionals and have access to opportunities.

8. Have a Knowledge of Industry Software and Tools

   You should get familiarised with industry-standard software and tools. You should become proficient in using tools such as AutoCAD, MATLAB and other simulation programs. Additionally, you should regularly take courses and research how to improve your skills in using these software and tools. Furthermore, ensure that you stay updated with the advancements in the software used in this field.

9. Get a Mentor

   A mentor in your field of electrical engineering can provide direction, support, and vital advice throughout your career. You should look for experienced professionals and learn from their experience.

Areas of Specialisation in Electrical Engineering

1. Power Engineer

   Power engineers design, build, and maintain power generation and distribution systems such as power plants, substations and transformers. Additionally, power engineers create large-scale systems for home, commercial and industrial use.

2. Controls Engineer

   Control engineer design and build control systems for a variety of applications such as automation, and robotics. This specialisation is concerned with the electromagnetic circuits found in the machinery. Furthermore, these engineers design and test electrical components to guarantee that hardware and software systems work together.

3. Test Engineer

   A test engineer is in charge of performing electrical system tests. They either repair the problems they discover or assist in implementing solutions.

4. Design Engineer

   A design engineer creates systems and new items using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Additionally, they build designs based on specifications, test them, document their process and solicit feedback on the designs.

5. Communications Engineer

   A communication engineer is in charge of designing and developing communication technologies such as satellites and fibre optics. Electrical engineers who specialise in this field operate as radio frequency, electronic communications, and broadcast engineers.

6. Electronics Engineer

   Electronics engineers create electrical gadgets including computers, smartphones and other consumer electronics. They are also involved in the development of communication systems such as satellites and cell phone towers.

7. Computer Hardware Engineer

   Computer hardware engineer design, develop and test computer hardware components such as CPUs, memory, and storage devices. Additionally, focusing on software-hardware integration, which entails merging computer science and electrical systems.

Universities in Africa that Offer Electrical Engineering

1. University of Cape Town, South Africa
2. Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
3. University of Pretoria, South Africa
4. Mansoura University, Egypt
5. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
6. Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
7. University of the Free State, South Africa
8. Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
9. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
10. Alexandria University, Egypt
11. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
12. University of Annaba, Algeria
13. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science of Technology, Ghana
14. University of Botswana
15. Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
16. University of Nigeria, Nigeria
17. Covenant University, Nigeria
18. University of Lagos, Nigeria
19. Rhodes University, South Africa
20. University of Sousse, Tunisia

Pursuing a career in electrical engineering can provide numerous benefits that can assist both your career and personal life. Learning about the requirements can help you achieve an exciting career path in electrical engineering. Furthermore, the benefits that can come with this career include a  consistent work schedule, job chances, prestige and high earning potential.

Good luck!

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