Serbentas 1

Raymond Serbentas

Mrs. Smith

Honors Advanced Composition

25 January 2021

Career Research Paper

In my high school history and career, nothing has captivated my mind more than

electrical engineering. Electrical engineer is considered to be one of the most recent forms of

engineering, dating back to the late 19th century. Jim Lucas, author of (What is Electrical

Engineering), states that, “Early experiments with electricity included primitive batteries and

static charges. However, the actual design, construction and manufacturing of useful devices and

systems began with the implementation of Michael Faraday's Law of Induction, which

essentially states that the voltage in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change in the magnetic

field through the circuit. This law applies to the basic principles of the electric generator, the

electric motor and the transformer.” I have always been fascinated by using electric principles to

invent and improve devices that could be more efficient. Ever since my dad helped me to

construct my own PC from scratch, I have wanted to be able to do what he does on my own.

Electrical Engineers typically work a standard day shift and a 40-hour work week, but it’s

what goes on in that ordinary timespan is what is interesting. Electrical engineers have a wide

array of duties that they may be sent to work on; from designing and testing manufacturing

equipment to repairing electric motors and navigational equipment. Danielle Gagnon, author of

(What Does an Electrical Engineer Do), explains that, “Electrical engineering is an immensely

broad field with job roles in a dizzying array of industries. From electric power generation and

distribution to cars to smartphones, electrical engineers are integral parts of thousands of

companies.” Modern day electrical engineers work to find and utilize renewable energy sources,

to help save the environment. The need for electrical engineers has been on the rise, ever since

manufactures have begun substituting manual labor for automated services. With roughly

188,300 electrical engineering jobs available in the U.S alone, There are plenty of available jobs

due to the increased use of technology.

Many people would think becoming an electrical engineer would take many years to

finish their education, but that’s further from the truth. Anyone can become an engineer given

the proper aptitude and education. Electrical Engineers can start their career as early as 22 given

they achieve a bachelor’s degree right after high school. People with breathing deficiencies

wouldn’t be well acclimated for this career do to the environment often seen in the pathway,

being in or near factories and machines. People classified as Logicians are best suited for the

Engineering field, as stated by (16 Personalities),” Work as business analysts and corporate

strategists is well suited to Logicians, but they can also move things forward as data analysts,

mechanical, electrical and software engineers, and even as technical writers and journalists,

provided the field is interesting enough.” One of the most popular ways to enter the Electrical

Engineering field is through entering a apprenticeship program, where you study in a work

environment under a professional, then work your way up till you train someone of your own.

Since electrical engineers play such a critical role in society, they have a large paycheck

to match. At worst, you could be an electrical in Arkansas and make 89,000$ starting. At best

you could be working in Alaska and make nearly 120,000$ a year. As stated by Andrew

DePietro in (Here’s How Much Money Electrical Engineers Make In Every State), “The national

average annual wage of an electrical engineer is $101,600, according to the BLS, just around

double the average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960.” While you may be making a lot
 Serbentas 3

of money, you most likely will be living in a more upscale area near power or manufacturing

plants. Near these areas, housing and utilities generally cost more that a sub urban or rural area.

In order to get a proper education, there are plenty of technical schools such as

Chattahoochee Technical Institute who offer rudimentary training in Engineering. However,

Kennesaw State University and Mercer University has a very comprehensive Engineering

Program that can be finished in four years. The top engineering schools in Georgia are, as stated

by (Study.com), “Chattahoochee Technical College is a public school that offers an electrical and

computer engineering technology associate degree program. It had the lowest tuition costs of

these three schools as of 2019-2020.” All branches of the military offer courses in Electrical

engineering, most likely to help develop engines and navigational equipment submarines and

planes. Since electrical engineers are currently in high demand, there are hundreds of scholarship

opportunities involving electrical engineering.

Electrical engineering provides many advantages other than just a pretty salary. Electrical

engineers can gain other useful skills other than just the inner workings of electricity, such as

telecommunications, computers, aerospace, power generation, and manufacturing industries.

Other job opportunities will also come easier as being an electrical engineer comes with great

honor and respect. However, electrical engineering has drawbacks as well. Being around a

chaotic work environment can cause increased levels of stress and anxiety. Danger of being

electrocuted while on a job site, as well as equipment malfunctions.

When becoming an electrical engineer, you are already near the top of the totem pole for

this career field, the only advancement after this is becoming a project manager. This

advancement may not require addition training but does require increased interpersonal skills to

communicate with your team. When becoming a project manager, extra duties will be expelled
 Serbentas 4

on to you. Project managers are responsible for checking tools and the work environment. There

isn’t a need for further education, as project managers already know everything and are

responsible for sharing their knowledge.

After further review, electrical engineering is the perfect career path or me. Of course, the

annual pay is well above average compared to other careers and getting jobs similar to this field

such as manufacturing and aerospace will be easier. Engineering allows me to utilize my greatest

strengths such the use of logistics and problem solving. I have a chance to design and improve

machines and tools used by many people, such as car engines and navigation equipment.

Electrical engineering is the perfect career or me, and I am ready to start my lifelong journey to

find my calling in life.

Annotated Bibliography

“Electrical Engineer Sample Job Description.” HiringMonster, Monster Worldwide,

hiring.monster.com/employer-resources/job-description-templates/electrical-engineer-

job-description/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021. This article details the daily duties of an

electrical engineer. The article also details job responsibilities and qualification to getting

hired.

Lucas, Jim. “What is Electrical Engineering?” Live Science, 27 Aug. 2014, Future US, INC,

www.livescience.com/47571-electrical-engineering.html. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021. This

article defines what exactly Electrical Engineering is and its development through

history. Definitions of Engineering principles such as Faraday’s law is also explained.

Electrical Engineering examples of field work and designing are explained.

Gagnon, Danielle. “What does an Electrical Engineer Do?” Snhu.com, 23 June. 2020, Southern

New Hampshire University, www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/2018/10/what-do-

electrical-engineers-do. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021. Article states what Electrical Engineers

do in terms of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Locations and job sites where electrical

engineers commonly work are listed. New and upcoming technologies pioneered by

electrical engineers are shown and described.

DePietro, Andrew. “Here’s How Much Money Electrical Engineers Make In Every State.”

Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2020, Forbes. INC, www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro

/2020/01/13/electrical-engineer-salary-state/?sh=519ec6410492. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

This Forbes article uses Bureau of Labor to display which states pay the most to an

electrical engineer. Alaska pays the most with a 119,130$ annual salary. Hawaii pays the

least with a 89,720$ annual salary(Not bad for the least paying state!).
 Serbentas 6

McKay Rosenburg, Dawn. “How to Become an Engineer.” Thebalancecareers.com, 20 Nov.

2019, DotDash, www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-become-an-engineer-525606.

Accessed 19 Jan. 2021. This article lists various classes and personality traits that are best

suited for engineers. Math and Science skills will help a engineer to think logically.

Personality traits such as being a good problem solver and skilled critical thinking are

also recommended

“Logician Personality-ENFJ-T.” 16 Personalities, NERIS Analytics Limited.

www.16personalities.com/intp-personality. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021. This article displays

my specific career Personality, the Logician. The article displays strengths and

weaknesses of the Logician personality, as well as jobs well suited to the Logician. The

article also shows personal relations, such as romantic and friendships that the Logician is

most likely to be in.

“Top Electrical Engineering Technologies Degrees in Atlanta.” Study.com, July 7. 2020.

study.com/articles/Top_Electronics_and_Electrical_Engineering_Technologies_Degree_-

_Atlanta_GA.html. Accessed Jan 1.2021.