Jobs for Electronics Engineering Technology
Some people love to work with electronics and other high-tech devices. However, finding a good job as an engineer often requires a bachelor's or even a master's degree. If you want to start working sooner, you can acquire an electronics engineering technology degree in two years. As a technician, you can start earning high salaries without having to jump through the hoops of a bachelor's degree.
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Work
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If you want to become an electronics engineer, you can pursue an electronics engineering technology degree, which is a specialized associate's bachelor of science degree, insteand of a four-year bachelor's degree. There are some engineering technician positions that do not even ask for an associate's, but degree holders have a better chance of finding work. Degree holders can also find work as broadcast and sound engineering technicians.
Education
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Associate's degrees are offered at technical, community colleges that often have lower tuition and higher admission rates. These degrees are also sometimes awarded to service members by the military. Electronics engineering classes teach students about topics such as electrical circuits, microprocessors and digital electronics. Aspiring engineering technicians will also need to be creative and develop good communication skills in order to be successful. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians need manual dexterity. As technicians become more skilled, they are often given more complex work, and some move into the position of supervisor. Others go back to school for a bachelor's degree in engineering.
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Conditions
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Electronic engineering technicians solve technical problems related to electronics devices, and some work as assistants to engineers. Many are responsible for setting up research equipment and collecting data. Others design, develop, test and manufacture electronic equipment to be sold in the marketplace. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up electronic equipment.
Electronic engineering technicians usually work 40 hours a week and spend their time in laboratories, offices and manufacturing plants. While all those places are clean and well-lit, manufacturing plants require that workers wear specialized suits called bunny suits in order to avoid bringing contaminants into the plant. Some aspects of electronics engineering expose technicians to hazardous chemicals, such as fabricating integrated circuits. Broadcast and sound technicians can work in all kinds of environments and are sometimes exposed to adverse weather conditions.
Outlook
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Electronic engineering technicians make up the majority of technician jobs, with 164,000 electronics technicians holding jobs in 2008. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these jobs are expected to grow by 5 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is slower than average. Broadcast and sound technicians can expect somewhat faster growth, at 8 percent, with 114,600 jobs held in 2008.
Earnings
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In 2008, the median earnings for electronic engineering technicians was $53,240 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median earnings for broadcast and sound technicians was $38,050.
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References
- Photo Credit electronics. image by Eldin Muratovic from Fotolia.com
