tgrrr,

An undergraduate Electrical Engineering degree just prepare a person to work in one of those areas.

<< Just to set the perspective straight on what kind of jobs falls under electronics,
1. Analog/RF, digital, power electronics design (each one a very specialized field),
2. PCB layout,
3. ASIC/FPGA design, Analog layout, Backend synthesizing (all part of IC design, again each one a very specialized field),
4. Firmware design (a field that transverse electronics and programming)
5. Process/product (wafer, IC packaging, test, QA, FA)
And here are some broad areas that falls under electrical (note I'm not in electrical sector so my knowledge is limited),
1. High-voltage areas (power generators, step-up/down transformers, power transmission lines),
2. AC/DC Motor,
3. Telecommunication lines,
4. Industrial/Building electrical wiring,>>

As to what a person actually work on is DEPENDENT which company that they join and who is WILLING to hire and train them in one of those area. A person can prepare themselves for one of those areas INDEPENDENT of their coursework. But, in some of those areas, you REQUIRE EXPOSURE to REAL WORK.

USA engineering education system is different all from those UK based system. For USA engineering program, an engineering student are educated in far more diverse areas than UK system.

Dreamer

but i like more on electronic stuff which is in small voltage rather than high voltage stuff. will it be hard for me to look for a job if i take electronic engineering?

Have few colleagues taking up BME degree. From what i see, "BME degree" is not relevant in this country simply because it just doesnt cater for the industry. Most of the jobs are low level technical jobs (which doesnt require in-depth analysis/decision making as an engineer) which suited diploma holders (e.g. technician, product specialist). While higher level of jobs require more in-depth expertise; which requires masters or Phd. If you are thinking you got the advantage in hospital facilities related jobs (radicare, pantai, faber etc), you might be dissapointed as you will face equal competition from other E&E grads that have more experience in electrical/electronics. You will have a hard time looking for jobs, especially since you already have the idea of what you like and dislike.

Not trying to demotivate anyone here. Just highlighting real cases. Those already pursuing the course, just aim for the top, get good grades, and continue for higher level of degree.

I wouldnt say I'm having trouble with the subject as a whole, I would say I prefer certain topics in add maths than others

what is the job prospect for electronic and electrical engineering?

Have you done any electronics stuff to be able to say that? Electronics doesn't means IPhone and computers or RC cars you know.

u mean like resistor, capacitor, transistor, etc?

is the accreditation by BEM important??

what if i wanna gain experience 1st b4 continuing study(degree) just for about 1 or 2 years?..
what is the best job i can get?
any suggestion?

guys need an opinion

ive done my research so far in aeronautical engineering

and so far my 1st choice is imperial

however , im not quite sure about my second choice

can anyone here with experience suggest me another good uni or college overseas which offers a good and most importantly well known aeronautical engineering program ?

engineering courses is not easy to run as compare to finance and banking. The Uni need to invest in the hardware and hire experience staff to teach the practical part. The course program also have to be certified by the country Engineering Committee to be recognize by the industry (small shop/company don't care)

If your school fail to teach you the practical part, you will be a freshy that can talk but can not do which is so common now. A school with link to the industry is a plus as you can have quality attachment program. Good chance to land a jobs with the company too.

So don't short change yourself by going to those school that "talk only".

some US Uni that have NASA program or defence project are real good in aeronautical eng.

This you have to search for yourself, the best unis for aeronautical engineering are in the US.
Since aeronautical engineering is a specified field i suggest you consider the school's industrial relationship with companies that specialize in this field e.g BAE, Boeing, Airbus, Northrop Gumman or Lockheed Martin due to the fact that these companies can give feedbacks regarding the degree meaning when you graduate you can stay relevant in the job market.
And also the fact that these companies do have more scholarships available for students and also internship opportunities.
Why don't you consider doing mechanical engineering?
The degree is almost the same and you have more choice of job opportunities compare to aeronautical.
Anyway if your heart is set on aeronautical then it's good at least you know your passion and interest.

the prospect is quite demanding
just look at Jobstreet, many company looking for Engineer everyday

you know why..people won't stay long in this field
always looking for better opportunity

you are damn right on this

Some really love engineering works, it is their hobbies. From engineerig training, you gain analytical thinking and practical approach mindset, that helps engineer to branch out to other fields for better opportunity. Eg. Engineering can do sales/marketing but not the reverse.

freezit4,

I enjoyed reading your replies to all the forummers here. I liked that you could hold on to your decision despite the tactless and judgmental words of some people.
I don't know Biomedical Engineering, and your questions are valid. I used to wonder about Electrical Engineering at my crossroad years, and sadly I wasn't internet savvy enough to make a great decision. I would suggest you start a new topic just asking for Biomedical Engineers to come to talk about their job and their feelings on the job to you. Then sift through their words (I have faith you know how to sift out the good from the chaff) and get more evidence online about overseas job descriptions in BME.
I am a working product engineer now in a Fortune 500 company offshored here. I have been through not knowing where my interest lay and not knowing how to find out. There are people saying, you should know yourself, you should know what you want to be, you should be sure this is what you are good at - but the truth is, it is easier said than done. You may like Physics, but you may hate certain subjects in Physics like Optics, or Nuclear energy. There will be a basket of things we like and it comes with the things we don't like. Academically though, I think we should choose the things we like to study and discard the things we don't like. At the end of the day, you will be finding a job that you like, say semiconductors, which is not at all related to Power Systems, so it was ok to fail Power Systems anyway.
I'm saying this because if you like something, you will be good to outstanding at it. Everyone would have things they are good at, and things they are bad at. I do mean this academically. You should not have this attitude on a job though - if you only like doing certain stuff, you will fail to perform on those tasks that you hate, and it will show up as a poor performance review.
On the question about whether you like electronic stuff, I would suggest this article to read: Malaysian's advice
With your whole life's sense of contentment at stake, I'm sure you could invest some money in a book or two. If one book makes you want to read another book to understand the first book's contents, then you have interest. As my husband says, if you like 70 to 80% of the chapters in that book, you can go for it, because later you could specialize in one of those chapters. Otherwise, be more careful before making a conclusion - again, it could be that that chapter doesn't interest you, or you really don't like the whole subject. At your age, I'm not sure about this because you don't have the job experience to tell yourself convincingly that this is the career for you - but you can read it and ask yourself if you could keep solving these ranges of problems daily.

This post has been edited by breatheinout: Apr 16 2010, 08:39 PM

hi guys...

got some question... which is better path way to become engineer...

taking matrix in engineering or diploma in mech engineering ?

does anyone know wat computer eng really do?
Im in pre-u now and i gotta choose a Uni soon. so i wanna to know more abt this CE whether is it a suitable job for me in future. thank you

is thr any better if i study communication and electronic in NOTTINGHAM rather than UCSI?

and when u go find for a job, will they mind tat u r nt from a well known engineer college?

guys i need a suggestion

engineering requires a strong base of maths and physics ,

do they have any work books pertaining to the maths and physics which we have to do once we take an engineering course ?

im planning to take up a levels doing further maths , maths and physics

i heard how hard a levels is so if possible id like to take a bit of a head start and solidify my understanding of physics and maths

First of All i'd like to Applaud everyone making this topic-of-discussion a fruitful one!

Now comes my dilemma,

I'm currently taking A-lvls as my foundation in engineering (Subjects : Math, Further Math, Physics, Chemistry);
I am VERY CERTAIN of my decision to take up Robotics Engineering as my Masters later on hopefully if things go well,

I am fully aware that Robotics Engineering are mainly composed of three major engineering sectors:

1. Mechanical
2. Electronics
3. Computing/Software

I have decided to take Mechanical engineering as a foundation before i specialize in to Robotics because;

1. I've always gravitated towards the mechanical side ( I like building things from scratch, fixing things etc. since i was very small - YES THIS IS A DEEP CHILDHOOD INTEREST)
2. It would seem to me that the sectors of Electronics and Computing does not attract my interest AT ALL. Seems dull to me somehow.

NOW! Question is,

I have heard from my lecturers and uncles and friends; that they would advise me to take up Electrical and Electronics (EE) first as my 1st degree,
And then later on i should take up Mechanical Engineering (ME) probably as a 2nd degree or just learn it up as a side study after my 1st degree.

They reason out because they mention that EE is much tougher then ME and requires more commitment;
they also mentioned that ME is simpler (compared to EE) and can be learned up later on by myself (when i work or after my 1st degree studies)

This has got me thinking; If i were to take EE as my first degree and then ME later on; it would be a great advantage for me since id have a double core foundation in both traditional fields.
it would prove as a stronger foundation and it would probably allow me to be the prime-choice of employers.

However, despite this advantage; im still hesitant of taking EE; just because my heart doesnt gravitate owards it (i dont have any interest in it)
And if i were to so happen to take EE as my 1st degree; ive set up my mind that i would definitely want to take ME no matter what - just because i have a deep interest in it.

I would like to say that my decision on taking up mechanical as a foundation is impartial; because i have done some research upon both fields of engineering.
However, Im still VERY CONFUSED about this matter.

I am STILL VERY INTERESTED in specialising in Robotics later on though after my undergraduate studies.
My only dilemma now is whether i should take up;

1. Mechanical engineering and then specialise into Robotics, or
2. EE engineering as a 1st degree, then ME as side-study then Robotics
3. ME as 1st degree, then EE as side-study; then Robotics

My only point for taking EE would be because it would prove as an added advantage for my core engineering knowledge.

I'm so confuseddd now.
It would seem that if i go for my deep childhood interest; i would go for choice 1#.

But choice 2# and 3# would be an advantage although it will take up alott of my time and commitment.

For now, my decision lies in 1#.
It would be really great if all of you can give some useful advice upon this matter it would help me greatly.

Thank you in advance.
Apachee