How the Electrical Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Electrical engineers in particular design, develop, and produce all kinds of electronics, including computers, radios, cars, and many other technological devices. To prepare for these tasks, electrical engineering degree programs include courses in electrical circuitry, electronic design, electromagnets, and other related topics. This educational background enables electrical engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.

Best Career Paths for Electrical Engineering Majors
Electrical engineers can work in a myriad of different industries in the technology sector. The best career paths for electrical engineers are:

• Electrical Engineer. Any product that has a technological aspect to it is usually developed by an electrical engineer. This means that engineers can work on a large variety of products, including automobiles, navigation systems, machinery controls, and building lighting. The best career paths for electrical engineering majors are specializations in communications technology, electronics, signals, systems, or controls. Communications technology has engineers working with devices such as telephones and satellites. The electronics path has engineers developing every day personal devices such as music players and personal computers. Signals, systems, and controls engineers can work in a variety of fields, including aerospace technology. Electrical engineers make an average salary of $75,930 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Robotic Engineering. Although the U.S. sales of industrial robotics such as those used in automobile assembly lines faced decline this past year, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), service robots such as those used for handicap assistance and personal care are experiencing a healthy growth in demand. In fact, sales of vacuum cleaning robots increased 50 percent in 2008 from the previous year, according to IFR. Electrical engineers have the exciting opportunity to work in the development of these robotic devices. Engineers who work with robotics typically earn an average salary of $75,930 annually, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Electrical Engineering Degree
Earning an electrical engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in the electronics industry. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for one of your computer circuitry classes where you learned how to successfully create functioning circuit boards. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your electrical engineering degree.