How to become an electrical engineer

Pathways to this career

1. Aspiring engineers must complete an undergraduate electrical engineering degree, with a major in electrical engineering.
2. Study a postgraduate course in engineering to further your chances of obtaining a management or project lead role.
3. Apply for a Professional Engineer's License and work independently as a contractor. Prerequisites include a completed bachelor of engineering, and at least 4 years of industry work experience.

What does an electrical engineer do?

Duties and tasks

• Design electrical components like cathode ray tubes, circuit breakers, or conductors.
• Develop larger electrical machinery like motors.
• Interpret research, drawings, specifications, and regulations to fit the problem at hand.
• May specialise in fields like air traffic control, power generation, traffic systems, consumer products, electric motors, etc.
• Plan, design, and maintain overall electrical systems or power distribution networks.
• Survey the operations of electrical systems and networks.

Industry bodies

• Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia
• Engineers Australia is the national forum for the advancement of engineering
• National Engineering Registration Board

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