Someone who is a junior with EE major and is thinking about getting a job asap after he graduates, which of the following specialization field would you suggest for his electives to ease his job hunting process in US?
Biomedical Engineering
Communications and Signal Processing
Computer Engineering
Dynamics and Controls
Electromagnetics, RF and Microwaves
Optics and Photonics
Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Systems
Solid State Materials and Devices
VLSI/CAD
I personally would recomend 1) Communications and Signal Processing 2) Optics 3) Biomedical
btw - Communications & Signal Processing is a marvellous background course for everyone - I've applied whatever I learnt in that course a gazillion times in so many contexts... however, my list above is only meant to reflect stuff that looks good on the resume' !
I would have no hesitation in recommending C&SP if anyone were to ask me what couse best builds critical thinking & analytical skills in mathematical sciences.
So, VLSI/CAD & Computer Engineering are common between the above two suggestions. I always thought Computer Engineering is too broad of a field to help in job hunting and courses in specifics usually look good on a Resume. For example, Computer Arch is very broad but Radar & Remote Sensing can be adjusted in interesting courses taken.
Anyway, queer ji, how does a few years of graduate school change the job market?
from what i know, it is quite difficult to end up with a narrowed down specialization with just undergrad coursework. best case scenario after an undergrad degree would be to have strong fundamentals, and develop an interest in a specific field, possibly with some project/practical experience in the same.
a lot of "good jobs" in the EE field are a bit too specialized - especially in communication, devices, and integrated circuits. grad school works on giving you this. but if you try to gain specialization in undergrad at the price of other coursework, you lose out on having a broad base in EE and end up being a technician rather than an engineer.
as an example, there are quite a few high paying and very satisfying analog IC designer jobs out there, but not within the reach of undergrads. typically these jobs require a good knowledge of communication, and an indepth knowledge of integrated circuits.
I have a cousin who will be transfering some courses from Pakistan & end up in the Junior year here. The university does have a BS/MS combined program that he should look into I guess.
AJ, Signal Processing is at the heart of the EE major. But at BS level it would be tough for him to secure a decent job out there and there arent too many choices for specialization at BS level. I would suggest he plan the MS as well. Personally, I would recommend Biomedical Engr.