The broad field of electrical engineering involves working with all manners of electronic devices, from pocket calculators to super-computers. Often overlapping with computer engineering, a degree in electrical engineering can open up the door to a career in almost any industry. Since technology is always changing and expanding, the need for electrical engineers is always growing. Through an understanding of the ways electricity is generated and controlled electrical engineers specifically design, develop, and test electrical equipment. Like any other kind of scientist, they must also know how to communicate their ideas to others in their field. A successful electrical engineer possesses not only an understanding of his or her area of concentration, but also a broad grasp of engineering in general. This is why most degree programs offering electrical engineering begin with the fundamentals of engineering itself. Once the student has mastered these fundamentals, they can start to focus on a specialty.
Electrical engineering students learn through a combination of design and lab work. This mix of theoretical and practical application allows students to think things through and then apply their ideas in a variety of real-life situations. Students also learn to diagnose problems and develop a variety of solutions for specific engineering problems.