What can you do with a Electrical And Computer Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 238 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates have a much higher likelihood (+16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 83%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 41% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Electrical And Computer Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Electrical And Computer Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Engineering - BE in Electrical And Computer Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Associate Professional Staff I
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Aug 2023 - Present
The position as Associate Professional Staff I at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory directly utilizes the knowledge and skills acquired through the Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, as it likely involves technical work related to electronics, systems, or programming.

ABOUT

I am a former ECE student at UVA interested in embedded systems, RF Systems, and FPGA design. For the various work and relevant experience in the field, please look at my resume and the information I have provided below. For additional information, please contact me at [EMAIL REMOVED].

What jobs can you get with a Electrical And Computer Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking through the various jobs taken by graduates with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), you can notice some common trends. A significant number of graduates have found jobs in engineering roles that are closely tied to their studies. Positions like Electrical Engineer, Software Engineer, FPGA Engineer, and Hardware Engineer are frequently listed. Many of these jobs leverage the core principles taught during their degree, such as circuitry, digital design, and software development, reflecting a strong alignment with their educational background. In fact, many of the roles involve applying specialized knowledge and technical skills acquired in their ECE programs directly to real-world problems.

However, not every job these graduates take is strictly related to electrical and computer engineering. Some individuals transition into roles that are more tangentially related, such as project management positions, business analysis, or product management roles where engineering knowledge can be beneficial but is not the focus of the job. Examples include roles in companies like Amazon and Facebook where engineering graduates often operate in software development capacities that, while technical, may not remind them daily of their foundational electrical engineering education. Additionally, some graduates have shifted to fields like data science or information technology, where the application of specific ECE skills might not be as direct or significant.

On the whole, the jobs held by graduates in Electrical and Computer Engineering demonstrate a mix of strong relevance to their educational training alongside some detours into roles that, while they may utilize some of their skills, do not directly engage with core engineering principles. This variety highlights the versatility of an ECE degree, allowing graduates to adapt and find roles in diverse sectors, whether in engineering-focused positions or in tech-related fields that utilize their analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), a few patterns emerge that illustrate both the strengths and challenges of the field. Many graduates start their careers in roles that are directly aligned with their degree, often taking on positions such as engineers or developers right after graduation. For instance, recent graduates from schools like Purdue University and the University of Washington have secured roles like Software Engineer or Systems Engineer at prominent companies, which showcases the demand for ECE skills in the tech industry. This trend appears to hold true across multiple universities, as highlighted by new graduates swiftly transitioning into engineering roles with companies like Amazon and Lockheed Martin.

As we look further down the line, say five to ten years out, many of these individuals seem to climb the ladder within their industries. For example, graduates who initially took roles as software engineers often advance to become senior engineers or managers. Those who started in research assistant positions often transition to more senior roles in engineering or specialized fields. This upward mobility suggests that the foundational skills gained through an ECE degree are highly valued in the workforce, allowing individuals to develop their careers in ways that align with their education. Additionally, we see some graduates branching out into different areas, such as product management or managerial roles, which indicates the versatility of an ECE degree.

However, it is worth noting that not every graduate follows a linear path to success in ECE-related fields. Some individuals find themselves in roles that may not leverage their engineering education fully. A few profiles reflect a transition away from traditional ECE positions into unrelated fields, or even career changes after years in the industry. While a strong base in ECE can lead to good starting jobs and opportunities for advancement, it’s clear that the landscape can vary significantly from person to person. Overall, the graduates from these programs appear to have a solid footing in their careers, particularly in tech-driven industries, but like many fields, the haunting specter of career divergence is a reality some face. In conclusion, while many Electrical and Computer Engineering graduates are doing well by securing relevant and promising roles, a portion of them may need to navigate lateral or even unrelated paths along their career journeys.

How hard is a Electrical And Computer Engineering degree?

A Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is generally considered to be on the harder side compared to many other degrees. You'll dive into a mix of complex math, physics, and programming, which can be pretty intense, especially if you’re not super comfortable with those subjects already. There’s a lot of hands-on work and problem-solving, too, which can be both rewarding and challenging. Some people find it overwhelming at times, but if you’re really interested in the field and willing to put in the effort, it can be a great experience that pushes you to grow and learn a lot along the way!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Electrical And Computer Engineering.

Do Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career trajectories of these electrical and computer engineering graduates, it seems like many of them have landed in pretty decent roles, especially those who graduated from reputable universities and have experience in tech companies. For instance, graduates from universities like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Washington are getting positions at major companies like Amazon and Google, which usually signal good salaries. Similarly, roles like Software Engineer at places like AMD and Lockheed Martin typically come with competitive pay as well. Overall, it seems like these paths are leading to solid financial stability for most of them.

However, there are also some graduates whose career paths look a bit less lucrative. For example, some recent graduates are starting with internships or roles that might be on the lower end of the pay scale, especially if they’re working in smaller companies or roles like research assistants. While these roles are valuable for gaining experience, they may not pay as well as positions in larger corporations. Ultimately, it really varies by individual; some are set up for financial success while others might take a little longer to get there. But, overall, the engineering field does tend to provide good earning potential as careers progress.

What buzzwords do Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Electrical And Computer Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Electrical And Computer Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Electrical And Computer Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Electrical And Computer Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Carnegie Mellon University 87 13
The University of Texas at Austin 75 11
The Ohio State University 72 14