r/ECE

Hi everyone! I'm trying to decide between Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering for my bachelor's degree.

I'm particularly interested in hardware and want to learn how microchips and processors work, including how to design and develop them. However, I'm also concerned about job opportunities after graduation and want to choose a degree that will give me good career prospects.

For these who studying or working in this filed can u give some advise for me.

I’m 19, currently working as an electrician and diagnostic tech on commercial trucks. My day-to-day involves tracing CAN bus networks, dealing with ECU logic, and fixing real-world electrical faults.

I’m wrapping up my 12th boards soon and starting a BS in Electronic Systems.

My ultimate goal is to transition into Automotive R&D—specifically hardware and embedded systems design. Outside of work, I'm building my own hardware projects using ESP32s and learning embedded Rust.

I am choosing to stay on the service floor while I study.

My logic:

The "Unicorn" Factor: Seeing exactly how vehicle electronics actually fail in the real world (from heat, vibration, and dust) will make me a better embedded systems engineer than someone who has only built perfect circuits in a lab simulator.

Design for Maintainability: I spend my days dealing with modules and harnesses that are frustrating to service. Knowing what it actually takes to fix a physical machine should give me a practical edge in designing better hardware architecture down the road.

For engineers working in hardware and embedded systems: How much do hiring managers actually value this kind of gritty technician background? Will my real-world diagnostic experience give me a tangible edge when I apply for systems design roles?

I am a masters student (electrical engineering) with a prior limited work experience (not related to design). I want to work in power electronics design or controls systems but I am struggling with the concepts and projects. Since I'll start applying for jobs soon, what strategy/tools could I use to get better in these areas?

Hey everyone

I graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering this past August and recently started a full-time engineering role through a rotational program. Since starting, I've realized that the areas I'm most interested in are the hardware side of RF, communications, and also DSP. I took an RF course in undergrad and was exposed to communications and DSP through my senior capstone project, but I don't have much formal coursework in those areas.

Looking back, if I had taken some of my senior-level EE electives before accepting my job offer, I probably would have pursued a different path. My current role is in a different area of EE, and I'm concerned that the longer I stay away from RF/communications, the harder it may be to transition into those fields later.

I've been considering pursuing a part-time research-based M.S. in EE while continuing to work full-time. My employer offers tuition assistance, and I've found several professors whose research aligns closely with my interests in RF, communications, radar, and related areas.

For those working in RF, communications, DSP, or defense:

1. Is an M.S. necessary to break into these fields, or is a B.S. typically sufficient?
2. Would self-study, projects, and work experience be enough to transition, or does a master's significantly improve career opportunities?
3. For those who completed an M.S. in EE, was it worth it? How valuable was a research-based master's if your goal was industry rather than academia?

I'd appreciate any advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I know it's only been a month into second year electrical engineering but I already sense my grades are going to absolutely drop from first year. I've accepted faith and am willing to work any job related to EE at this point.

So I'm wondering what's the easiest industry to break into? And can you even break in with barely passing grades?

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I am preparing for an interview at Qualcomm for an FPGA Prototype Engineer role. With 2.2 years of experience as a design engineer at a smaller company,

I am concerned about performing well and understanding the role's expectations, as I was told the role involves primarily involves debugging existing code and hardware, with limited FPGA design work.

Given that this is Qualcomm, I am eager to perform my best in the interview. I would appreciate guidance on what specific areas I should prepare for.