First, some facts. Of the Electrical Engineering graduates from Penn State University 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 34 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Electrical Engineering graduates from Penn State University have a much higher likelihood (+18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
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 Engineering graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 96%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Electrical Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPower Engineering InternAPI Technologies Corp. Jan 2019 - May 2019 Associate Specialist, Engineering Merck Dec 2019 - Jul 2022 Specialist, Engineering Merck Jul 2022 - Apr 2024 Senior Specialist, Engineering Merck Apr 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the jobs held by graduates from Penn State’s Electrical Engineering program, it seems like a good number of them have landed roles that are firmly tied to their degree. Common positions include Electrical Engineers, Electronic Engineers, and Automation Technicians, which directly apply the technical skills learned during their studies. Many of these jobs require a solid grasp of electrical engineering principles, making them quite relevant to what they studied. There’s also a trend where graduates take on roles like Project Managers or various engineering roles in the energy sector, which still hinge on their foundational engineering knowledge.
However, not every job listed has maintained that relevance. Some grads moved into roles that, while technical, stray away from directly using electrical engineering skills. Positions in software engineering and project management, for example, might still cover some engineering ground, but aren’t strictly electrical engineering jobs. Similarly, some graduates have taken on roles in military or non-engineering specific fields, which dilutes the direct connection to their electrical engineering education. Overall, while many graduates are utilizing their degrees well, there’s a sizable number who have diversified into fields that either utilize a portion of their technical skills or have moved into areas that lack a direct link to electrical engineering altogether.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Electrical Engineering graduates (this is across all Electrical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University):
Graduates from Penn State University with degrees in Electrical Engineering generally follow a solid career trajectory that aligns well with their field of study. Many of them tend to land jobs in engineering-related roles soon after graduation, often stepping into positions such as project engineers, software engineers, or various technician roles. For instance, those who graduated in the early 2010s started out in positions like Development Technician or Automation Technician before moving up the ladder to project management or specialized engineering roles. By five to ten years after graduation, many have climbed into senior management or leadership positions, showcasing not only their technical skills but also their ability to oversee projects and teams effectively.
It’s also interesting to note that while most graduates remain within the realm of electrical engineering and related fields, some have branched into different areas, like software engineering or project management, which might not directly require an electrical engineering focus but still leverage their analytical and problem-solving skills. On the whole, it looks like most graduates are doing well, finding meaningful and relevant careers in engineering. This is a promising sign for anyone considering pursuing this path! So if you're thinking about studying Electrical Engineering at Penn State, it seems like a great choice for a bright career ahead!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, whether at Penn State or anywhere else, can be pretty challenging. You’ll dive into tough subjects like circuit analysis, electromagnetism, and control systems, and it can feel like a mountain of math and science. It's definitely not a walk in the park—there will be late nights spent studying and tackling complex projects. That said, if you have a solid interest in how things work and you're willing to put in the effort, it can be really rewarding. Plus, you'll have tons of resources and support along the way. Overall, it's on the harder side compared to many other majors, but a lot of students find it worth the grind!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.
Looking at the job paths of these Electrical Engineering grads from Penn State, it seems like they generally landed some pretty solid gigs that likely pay well. Many started with internships or technician roles, which is totally normal, but they quickly moved up to positions like project managers, associate directors, and even CTO roles—definitely signs of successful careers! Companies like Merck and Lockheed Martin typically offer great salaries, and roles in emerging tech fields like autonomy and software engineering are usually on the higher end of the pay scale too. Overall, it appears they're doing alright financially, especially with the potential for even better salaries as they gain more experience. So, if you're considering a career in engineering, it's looking like a good bet!
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 Engineering (this is across all Electrical Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Electrical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: