How to Perform a Career Research

1 How to Perform a Career Research Career Research 1. Career Research The electrical engineering environment entails various activities, which comprise of designing, developing, testing, and supervising or developing of electrical tools, including navigation structures, power-driven engines, power source materials, and communication structures. It is also the role of electrical engineers to ensure they develop electrical structures of aircrafts vehicles. They usually design as well as create electronic equipment, including communication and broadcast systems ranging from GPSs (global positioning systems) to mobile music players. A considerable number of them also work in areas closely affiliated with computer hardware.

In the oil industry, electrical engineers pay a key role. They are responsible for overseeing the diverse electrical operations in the industry. For instance, in the present environment, numerous trends are becoming apparent. Companies are focusing on adopting energy efficient measures to allow them utilize energy more efficiently with minimal costs. In this case, oil companies are encouraging their engineers, such as electrical engineers to introduce ambitious internal projects to review the present energy consumption processes, upgrade, or replace the equipment to meet the energy reduction requirements by the industry.

To emerge as effective electrical engineers, individuals need vital skills and qualifications. For instance, in the case of high school students with interest in securing an electrical engineering procession, they should take courses with mathematics and physics, such as trigonometry, algebra, and calculus. To succeed in pursuing the electrical engineering profession, potential individuals need to ensure they pursue a course related to electrical, such as electronics engineering and other associated fields.

CAREER RESEARCH

2

The oil and gas companies where individuals can secure employment in electrical engineering comprise of O&G companies, including ConocoPhillips, Eni, and Neste. The typical occupations in these environments comprise of network engineer, systems analyst, IT consultant, electrical engineer, electronics engineer, broadcast engineer, and instrumentation and control engineer. For electrical engineers, their starting salary usually ranges from around $65,000 whereas the average salary is around $82,000 per annum based on the level of skills.

On a weekly basis, electrical engineers work for around 41 hours each week. The career prospects and earnings differ locally and internationally based on the course marketability and demand, demand for engineers, and the exiting state of technology in a given country.

2. Informational Interview To gain deeper understanding concerning what the electrical engineering course entails, I embarked on an interview with a Senior Electrical Engineer at Aramco. The roles that the Engineer undertook revolved around creating, evaluating, and overseeing of electrical tools. They also made electric motors, power producing tools, and communication infrastructure. I decided to consult the individual because of the interest I had in his position.

I also anticipate serving as an electrical engineer in a similar position because of its capacity to expose individuals to diverse electrical concepts as well as the exposure one gets to new trends that appear in the engineering environment.

Concerning the skills that the electrical engineer possessed, I believed that it is essential to ensure that you remain relevant in the engineering environment by always looking out for the emerging trends and taking various accreditations causes to be competitive in the marketplace. I also learnt that the engineering environment is constantly evolving, thereby requiring individuals to keep up with the emerging trends and developments, thus facilitate in transforming any organization appropriately.

CAREER RESEARCH

3

Regarding the area of operation, I believe that engineers work in a pleasant environment, as it allows them to cope with diverse challenges that force them to remain creative and innovative while devising electrical solutions for the company. Based on my career interview, I felt motivated to build my interest and motivation in serving as an electrical engineer. I thus believe that the process of selecting and engineering profession should be carried out in an effective manner.

In the interview, we discussed about the career prospects for the course, challenges in taking the course, and the diverse opportunities one can encounter with the course. From the interview, therefore, I managed to learn various things concerning the electrical engineering course and the diverse opportunities available for electrical engineers in the oil and gas sector and other industries.

3. Action Plan Upon pursuing the electrical engineering course, I anticipate accomplishing two major goals within the next 5 and 10 years. During the initial five years, I plan embarking on licensure for the engineering procession. I plan seeing a PE (Professional Engineering License), which will provide me with opportunities for gaining hire independence and leadership levels later in my career. When serving as a PE (professional engineer), I will have the capacity of overseeing other engineers, offer direct public services, and sign off various projects. I anticipate realizing this by seeking an ABET degree, the needed score for the main exam for engineers, gaining sufficient workplace experience, and attaining a Professional Engineering exam required grades.

The other goal I anticipate realizing within the next 10 years is to have the capacity to assist electrical engineers as well as other professionals in unleashing capabilities for developing exciting, successful, enjoyable, and well-balanced careers. I plan realizing this

CAREER RESEARCH through ensuring that I still have time for my family while at the same time ensuring that I make my career successful, enjoyable, and balanced.

4