Electrical Engineering Masters Focus - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aep9690
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2012, 04:43:45 am
content: I completed my bachelors in electrical engineering back in May. I am about to start the masters program in electrical engineering at a school in the USA. I need to choose an area of specialty to focus on and I have narrowed it down to control systems and analog integrated circuit design. I enjoy both these areas of electrical engineering, but I think I should pick a specialty that would go better with what I aspire to do when I enter industry.My college required that all students do one year of co-ops in-industry. I found that I liked working hands-on in design positions and want to pursue this full time when I graduate. Does anyone have any suggestions on the area to focus on?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2012, 07:46:33 am
content: The obvious question is of course what do you aspire to do when you enter industry?Something niche like analog IC design would proabably score you are really good job at one the major players.Dave.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2012, 09:50:25 pm
content: I'd think Control Systems has a larger market in the US at least (useful for small businesses up to multinationals).The reason I say this, is it seems analog IC design is too small of a market IMHO (exists, but shrinking as more of the engineering is outsourced). For example, I just did a quick search for recent grads at Analog Devices (search criteria = "IC Design" & "Engineering" under dept.). It generated 17 jobs, and not all are in the US (14 US, 1 China, 2 UK).

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2012, 11:51:41 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on August 11, 2012, 09:50:25 pmBut it's a trade-off.Fewer jobs and less people qualified usually means higher pay, more job security, and less competition when applying for a job.Golden rule is, never chase the market, just do what you enjoy.Dave.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2012, 12:01:35 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on August 11, 2012, 11:51:41 pmGenerally speaking I find this true, but what's sticking in my mind currently, is that it's extremely difficult to find employment in the current US market (MS in IC design myself, and have had to shift professions as a result of the downsizing/resulting layoffs; now doing IT). Downsizing/outsourcing and the resulting layoffs have done some serious damage here.Being able to relocate would help immensely (should be more feasible just out of college), but that may not be possible at all points in ones career (married, kids, mortgage, ...).

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2012, 01:36:02 am
content: When I did my M.Sc, the first semester was combined with control systems. I don't think I appreciated quite what they entailed before starting the course, and it caused me a lot of grief. Compared to analogue IC design, control systems is a lot of maths and not a lot of engineering (of course your mileage may vary). As you say though, analogue IC design isn't exactly in the peak of health. I think it is going to continue to shrink to even fewer companies in the next few years.

author: Blofeld
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2012, 12:20:30 pm
content: Some random thoughts, more based on hearsay than on own experience:I can imagine a (sad) future in which most of analog IC design has moved to India and China. I cannot imagine that the US will outsource their military development. The drones and robots needed for future warfare should provide some job security for a control systems engineer.For other applications, try to find Dorf, Bishop "Modern Control Systems". Not everybody loves this thick textbook, but one thing is sure: You will find many, many interesting examples of control systems of all kind.Take a look at the free "Designing Analog Chips" by Camenzind:http://www.designinganalogchips.com/_count/countdown.pl?designinganalogchips.pdfThis very readable text will help you to decide if analog IC design is for you.If you are a loney genius, analog IC design is probably better suited. You can pretty much design a complete chip on your own, and have the satisfaction that your name is forever associated with it. Also you can highly specialize in electronics and stay in your lab. For control systems you need to be more of a teamplayer, e.g. in aerospace you would closely work together (and share the fame) with specialists for software, mechanical engineering, aerodynamics, systems engineering... Depending on the system that has to be controlled, you need at least a basic knowledge of other disciplines like chemical engineering or mechanical engineering to communicate with your colleagues. And you will probably be expected to show up at the chemical plant, missile test range or wherever, certainly if things go wrong.If you completely mess up the design of an IC, there will probably not be much more immediate consequences than a bit of smoke rising up from the poor chip. As a control systems engineer you have a better chance that your failures will blow things up, so if you like a bit of drama...

author: KTP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2012, 01:03:24 pm
content: I don't think it matters a lot in terms of employment what you choose for your EE masters focus.If you are worried about employment, concentrate on software development...that is where the money still is in the USA.My wife could get a senior software developer job at Google, Amazon, Facebook, etc. tommorow if she wanted to switch from Microsoft. They would probably toss in $30,000 in cash and some stock as a signing bonus. It is just sick how many openings there are for experienced people in this field.Yeah, I am jealous.

author: aep9690
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2012, 05:26:49 am
content: When I do go into industry I want to do design work, get down and dirty with circuit design and everything. The reason I am thinking of integrated circuit design is because it focuses more on engineering applications than controls, which I am worried will focus more on system design rather than circuits.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2012, 05:46:18 am
content: Quote from: aep9690 on August 13, 2012, 05:26:49 amYes, control systems will focus on system level stuff, and very little (if any) circuit design.They are chalk and cheese.Then again, circuit design might have a ton of (wafer) process engineering stuff too.Dave.