In some quarters, it’s regarded as a hugely lucrative career. In others, it’s one to avoid.
The opening paragraph in itself should highlight just why there are so many misconceptions surrounding electronics engineers. Its’ a field plagued with unknowns and that is the reason behind today’s post.
We have charged Haris Ahmed with the task of debunking some of the main myths that surround engineers of this ilk. All of these myths are international; in other words, whether you reside in Removille or Chicago they are all completely relevant.
Myth #1 – It’s only for guys
There’s no doubt that there is at least some substance behind this myth, as for years engineering has been an industry which has been dominated by men.
However, the tide is changing. Women are finding more and more opportunities in the industry, and the ratio of men and women is dropping emphatically.
Myth #2 – It’s low paid
Sure, if you reside on the block of a small neighborhood you are unlikely to warrant a high salary. However, anyone of the block of Chicago can attract huge sums of money.
Taking regions out of the equation briefly, electronics engineers in general are well paid. Sure, there are some differences with other forms of engineering, but certainly don’t let salary put you off this job.
Myth #3 – You need knowledge of electronic devices
This is an acceptable myth, if there ever was such a term. The differences between electronics engineering and electrical engineering are minor, but they do still exist.
In the case of the electrical engineer, you will work on machinery as well as the generation and distribution of energy. In other words, there’s a heavy emphasis on electricity. In the case of the electronic engineer, this is mainly associated with machinery. It’s a more specialized job, which is what makes it appealing for many people.
Myth #4 – It’s the same as electrical engineering
This is another one of those misconceptions which can almost be tolerated. After all, the game is surely in the name, right?
Well, not exactly. All of the universities will place a heavy emphasis on your knowledge of science and math, but will rarely breach beyond that in terms of your knowledge of electronics devices. Many believe that this knowledge arrives later on in your career, when you actually get used to handling these pieces of equipment on a regular basis.
Myth #5 – You will be responsible for repairing electronics
Following on from the last myth, let’s finish with another common one. Many believe that electronics engineers repair items at home, like televisions and washing machines. In short, this isn’t related to the career of an electronic engineer in the slightest. Instead, they are more likely to work within various software packages; whether it’s designing or testing it. There’s a lot more calculations and science in comparison with simply repairing devices that are located around the home.