Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. This includes power generating and transmission equipment used by electric utilities and electric motors, machinery controls and lighting and wiring in building, automobiles and aircraft. They also design and participate in the operation of utilities for generating and distributing electric power. They are in charge of preparing cost estimates of activities involved in the construction and installation of power generation and transmission/transformation projects. Areas of specialization are power distribution equipment, electronics, integrated circuits, construction, electrical equipment and communications manufacturing.

Tasks

Design electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, and systems for commercial, industrial, and domestic purposes;
Prepare and study technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems and topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements;
Direct operations and coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, and testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and customer requirements;
Conduct field surveys;
Confer with engineers, customers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects and products;
Evaluate and analyze data regarding electric power systems and stations and recommend changes to improve operating efficiency;
Inspect completed installations and observed operations for conformance to design and equipment specification and operational and safety standards;
Operate computer-assisted engineering design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks;
Compile data and write reports regarding existing and potential engineering studies and projects;
Estimate labor, material, and construction cost and prepare specifications for purchase of material;
Plan layout of electric power generating plants, distribution line and stations.

Basic Educational Requirement

A five-year bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering is the minimum academic requirement. The practice of profession requires a license from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Skills and Competencies

Strong numerical skills;
Reading and oral comprehension;
Understand technical language and concepts;
Computer literate.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Creative;
Flexible;
Curious;
Detail-oriented.

Salary/Compensation

Locally, the monthly basic salary of an electrical engineer may range from P16,565 to P25,217 depending on the industry he is employed. Abroad, electrical engineers receive a monthly salary of $5,023 to $7,739.

Prospects for Career Advancement

An Electrical Engineer who has undergone apprenticeship training through different activities in a power company have the opportunity to assume a supervisory or managerial position. Those who don�t have the inclination to be managers follow a parallel career by becoming experts or specialists in the long run.

This group is given specialized assignments and become staff engineers or corporate specialist.

Employment Opportunities

Electrical engineers may be found in the lab environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or on site at a mine. During their career as an electrical engineer, they may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.

Cost of Education *

In a public university, a course in Electrical Engineering is approximately P3,400 per semester or a total of P34,000 for the entire five year course.

In a private institution, the total cost may range between P285,000 in less expensive schools to P490,000 in the more expensive schools.

* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007-2008

Source: Bureau of Local Employment, Manila, Philippines.