YOUR OPINION
- Thread starter sdilucca
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- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: YOUR OPINION
I think that if you took a poll that asked for definitions of the phrase "Power Engineering," you'll get a wide variety of answers.
Is it a "niche"? I looked that word up in my (very old) dictionary. I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. It is a highly specialized field of study. Is it a potentially lucrative career? Not likely. Is it a potentially rewarding career? Yes, to those who have the inclination and a deep liking of mathematics.
I think that if you took a poll that asked for definitions of the phrase "Power Engineering," you'll get a wide variety of answers.
Is it a "niche"? I looked that word up in my (very old) dictionary. I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. It is a highly specialized field of study. Is it a potentially lucrative career? Not likely. Is it a potentially rewarding career? Yes, to those who have the inclination and a deep liking of mathematics.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: YOUR OPINION
In the recent past (but not the immediate past), most of the "help wanted - electrical engineers" ads that I have seen were for people with skills in the area of computer systems. I am seeing more of a demand for EEs with skills in power system design and analysis. I don't think that many colleges offer that specialty. So my guess would be, "yes, it is a niche."
In the recent past (but not the immediate past), most of the "help wanted - electrical engineers" ads that I have seen were for people with skills in the area of computer systems. I am seeing more of a demand for EEs with skills in power system design and analysis. I don't think that many colleges offer that specialty. So my guess would be, "yes, it is a niche."
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: YOUR OPINION
While I was hiring manager for my department, we found only two California schools that we believe adequately teaches power engineering. That isn't to say we didn't hire some excellent engineers from other electrical sub-discipline specialties and OJT them to our needs. But the truth was our staff of over 80 engineers had reached the point that either someone had 25 years or more experience or 5 years or less. Only one person was in that 20 year gap and that gap is what makes power engineering a "niche" in my opinion.
While I was hiring manager for my department, we found only two California schools that we believe adequately teaches power engineering. That isn't to say we didn't hire some excellent engineers from other electrical sub-discipline specialties and OJT them to our needs. But the truth was our staff of over 80 engineers had reached the point that either someone had 25 years or more experience or 5 years or less. Only one person was in that 20 year gap and that gap is what makes power engineering a "niche" in my opinion.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: YOUR OPINION
A poster on another forum suggested that 30 to 50% of the utility power engineers will retire within the next 5 to 7 years. That may change the demand for power engineers.
Don
A poster on another forum suggested that 30 to 50% of the utility power engineers will retire within the next 5 to 7 years. That may change the demand for power engineers.
Don
Re: YOUR OPINION
You may see more ads for computer engineers, there are also a lot more computer engineering students to fill those jobs.
Power engineering also includes electronic power supply engineers. (And that can include everything from semiconductor design to designing switching power supplies).
A firm producing electronics may have 50 computer engineers to 1 power engineer. The one power engineer is going to be the person who is highly valued.
You may see more ads for computer engineers, there are also a lot more computer engineering students to fill those jobs.
Power engineering also includes electronic power supply engineers. (And that can include everything from semiconductor design to designing switching power supplies).
A firm producing electronics may have 50 computer engineers to 1 power engineer. The one power engineer is going to be the person who is highly valued.
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