How Versatile are Electrical Engineers?

[Starfyre]

Hi.

I just wanted to know how well-rounded electrical engineers are, specifically those in power and/or controls, compared to other engineers. I am in electrical primarily bc I would rather solve electrical problems than mechanical ones, but I am still interested in thermodynamics and mechanics (although not to the detail in rigid body mechanics that a ME would cover).

Am I doomed to just doing circuits/signal processing?

Thanks.

PS I am interested in the applied math of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics (along with electromagnetism of course).

 

[johnbbahm]

I can't think of a single EE I have ever met, that I would think of as not smart.
The mind set necessary to create elegant solutions to complex problems, is the same.
Very few EE I know are doing circuits.

 

[Floid]

Depends. I know some EEs who are very specific in areas like power and aren't very good in other areas, some who can do anything circuit or hardware wise but can't program, some who can program but can't do circuits and some who can do it all.

I think overall EE covers more ground than any other engineering discipline considering the broad range of topics and then all the areas one can really focus on. My job involves a lot of circuit card design (more digital than analog based), firmware programming, some regular programming with most of the end items either being control, simple signal processing, or general computing.

I know a little bit about areas like power, antennas, EM, etc but definitely don't have a deep knowledge of them.

 

[carlgrace]

Generally you get a lot of choice in your undergraduate program to either focus on one area or take a lot of classes in different areas. So really, it is up to you to make your own decision on the tradeoff between being versatile and specialized.

 

[Matrix0]

I can tell you that electrical engineers are extremely versatile and well-rounded professionals. Their knowledge and skills extend far beyond just circuits and signal processing. In fact, electrical engineers are involved in a wide range of industries and applications, from power generation and distribution to telecommunications, robotics, and renewable energy.

In terms of power and controls, electrical engineers are essential in designing and maintaining power systems, from large-scale grids to individual circuits. They also play a crucial role in developing control systems for various applications, such as in industrial automation, transportation, and aerospace.

Furthermore, electrical engineers have a strong foundation in physics and mathematics, making them well-equipped to tackle problems in various areas such as thermodynamics, mechanics, and fluid dynamics. They often work closely with mechanical engineers in interdisciplinary projects, bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to the table.

So, to answer your question, no, you are not limited to just circuits and signal processing as an electrical engineer. Your interests in applied math and fluid mechanics are definitely relevant and can be applied in many areas within the field. As technology continues to advance, the demand for versatile electrical engineers will only increase, making it an exciting and dynamic field to be a part of.