We surveyed 4,167 electrical engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical electrical engineer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an electrical engineer?
Low
High
Working as an electrical engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that electrical engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become an electrical engineer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an electrical engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as an electrical engineer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an electrical engineer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for electrical engineers.
Do electrical engineers work full-time or part-time?
89% of electrical engineers work in full-time roles while 11% work part-time.
Is being an electrical engineer stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst electrical engineers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as an electrical engineer?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be an electrical engineer.
How competitive is the workplace for electrical engineers?
Low
High
Electrical engineers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being an electrical engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Electrical engineers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are electrical engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Electrical engineers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do electrical engineers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally electrical engineers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being an electrical engineer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an electrical engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are electrical engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, electrical engineers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being an electrical engineer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for electrical engineers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good electrical engineer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an electrical engineer.