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The electrical engineering, electronics engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and information technology fields have a lot in common. According to the Sloan Career Cornerstone website, jobs in these fields can span the following industry sectors and can include the following job descriptions/titles.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
There are approximately 10 key industry sectors in which electrical and electronics engineers are employed. These sectors are:
- telecommunications
- energy and electric power
- computers
- semiconductors
- aerospace
- bioengineering
- manufacturing
- education and research
- transportation and automotive
- the service industry
Examples of job responsibilities in these areas of industry include:
- expanding satellite communications for mobile telephone users (telecommunications) designing electrical power distribution; systems for facilities such as hospitals and businesses (energy and electric power);
- designing computer hardware and software (computers);
- developing microprocessors and memory chips (semiconductors);
- developing electronics and power equipment for aircraft and spacecraft (aerospace);
- designing life support systems (bioengineering);
- designing and evaluating manufacturing techniques (manufacturing);
- developing new amusement park rides (service industry);
- designing electronics for ships, trains, and cars (transportation and automotive);
- teaching college or university courses related to electrical and electronics engineering (education and research).
Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology
There are many varying job titles and descriptions among organizations in the computer science, computer engineering, and information technology fields. Jobs in these fields usually cover the following areas:
- Internet
- network and communications
- management
- sales
- data center / computer operations
- applications development
Job titles are often associated with a certain software application or technology, which brings about numerous new job titles as technologies change. University graduates can look for computer-related jobs in the newspaper and on the Internet. Examples job tiles in these fields include:
- Database Analyst
- Information Systems Operator
- Digital Media Specialist
- Network Specialist
- Software Engineer
- Technical Support Representative
- Technical Writer
Salary Expectations
Starting salaries vary depending on the specific field of study or industry in which the engineer is employed, where they work, and other benefits the employer may offer as a part of the compensation package. Current starting salaries are generally in the range from US$40,000 to US$60,000 per year, and go up from there.
Additional Resources
- For more detailed information on college and university engineering programs and careers in IEEE related fields of interest, visit The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center and check out the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (PDF, 183kb) information.
- For job listings in the electrical, electronics, computer and other electrotechnology and information-technology fields, visit the IEEE Job Site.
- View a list of temporary and part-time positions at IEEE.
