<p>Can electrical engineering be applied to the construction industry? If so, how can it applied to buildings and other civil works? I’d really like to know.</p>
<p>Yes. Structures typically include electrical systems, and industrial and commercial facilities may need complex, custom systems. Large civil design firms may have EEs on staff for such issues.</p>
<p>bump…please reply!</p>
<p>Corbett pretty much said what there is to say… Places like hospitals, that have very specific (and slightly terrifying…) needs for their various high-energy machines, will often require the consultation of an electrical engineer for their original design processes. As to other public works applications of electrical engineering, there are the obvious hydroelectric dam sorts of things… Lots of options out there…</p>
<p>Yes, there is some EE work that can be applied to the construction industry, notably electric power systems. </p>
<p>But the fact is, the vast majority of EE’s will not do any sort of facilities or construction industry work. They will be designing and manufacturing computers, consumer electronics, communications equipment, microchip circuits, and the like. Many EE’s have a strong computer science background and will basically spend their whole time writing software.</p>
<p>True, but a large part of that is because EEs typically want to design those sorts of electrical systems and circuits… That, and facilities-type EEs are typically paid more along the lines of CivEs, which admittedly isn’t as much as most EEs are paid… But heck, if you want the job and if it’s what you want to do, it’s not like it’d be unattainable… Just uncommon, is all.</p>
<p>The reason I ask is that I am trying to find something in my home region to practice electrical engineering if I get an EE degree. Working in construction at least brings the work closer to home, to rural areas, and not in the major cities hundreds of miles from home.</p>
<p>That’s why I’m also interested in civil engineering. To bring the work closer to home. I also like the grad school offer I got, and it sounds intriguing.</p>
<p>If you want to look for work in the field of facilities design or construction, then you should take the “Fundamentals of Engineering” (FE) exam, if you haven’t already done so. If you pass, your state will issue you an “Engineer-in-Training” or “Engineer Intern” certificate, which is the first step towards professional engineering licensure. In this field, an EIT certificate is a distinct plus on an entry-level resume.</p>
<p>If you are a graduate of an ABET-accredited electrical engineering program, or will graduate soon from such a program, you should qualify for the FE exam. Check with your state engineering board. Next exam is October 28.</p>