How Difficult Is Electrical Engineering

If you’ve found yourself googling "how difficult is electrical engineering," you’re probably curious about whether this discipline is worth the challenge. 

TL:DR? It’s tough, for sure, but it’s also incredibly rewarding for those who dare to tackle it.

In this post, we’ll explore what makes electrical engineering such a rigorous but worthwhile field, and provide you with tips on how you can not just survive, but thrive in this demanding field. 

Understanding the Field of Electrical Engineering

To understand how difficult electrical engineering is, we need to first start by decoding what this field is in the first place. Here’s an overview:

What Does Electrical Engineering Entail?

Electrical engineering isn’t just about fixing broken wires or figuring out why your Wi-Fi refuses to cooperate. It’s a vast field that spans circuits, signals, systems, and electronics, all the way to groundbreaking technologies like renewable energy systems and artificial intelligence. 

In this career path, you’ll be exploring how electricity and electromagnetics work, how data travels, and how to design systems that make modern life run smoothly.

Speaking of which: when it comes to potential careers, your opportunities are just as expansive as the field itself. Electrical engineers are in demand across industries like telecommunications, robotics, aerospace, and healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these jobs are growing at a rate of 9%, which is much faster than the national average. 

Whether it’s designing the hardware for the next-gen smartphone or developing medical imaging devices, electrical engineers shape the future.

Core Subjects and Skills Required

If all that sounds enticing, then great! However, it’s important to note that this is a career that is not for the faint-hearted. To thrive in electrical engineering, you’ll need some serious brainpower across multiple domains. 

Math, physics, and computer programming are the foundation of this discipline. And since electrical engineering is as much about problem-solving as it is about theory, hands-on experience is equally vital. You’ll spend a lot of time in labs figuring out how to make real-world applications work efficiently and safely.

But don’t panic about your qualifications just yet. If you love asking “how does this work?” and have an affinity for tinkering with things until they work better, you’re already on the right track.

Challenges Students Face in Electrical Engineering

Aside from pure mastery of the skills described above, there are a few other potential hurdles you’ll need to overcome on your road to becoming an electrical engineer:

Abstract Thinking vs. Concrete Application

Electrical engineering deals with concepts that are abstract and complicated. 

Take electromagnetism, for instance. It’s the science of how electric charges create magnetic fields, which isn’t something you can exactly see. Then there’s signal processing, an area where you’re essentially juggling math, data, and algorithms all at once.

What makes it even trickier is balancing theory with practical application. 

Sure, understanding the math behind a circuit is important. But turning that equation into an actual functioning piece of technology? That’s a whole new level of difficulty.

Partial Differential Equations

A major hurdle in electrical engineering is the heavy use of partial differential equations. These are mathematical equations used to solve problems that involve multiple variables, such as heat flow, sound waves, and electrical fields. Solving these equations often requires advanced mathematical techniques, and in many cases, there is no simple, exact solution—just approximations.

If you are someone who enjoys more discrete mathematics, where values are distinct and clear, electrical engineering might push your comfort zone in ways that require you to develop new ways of thinking.

Workload and Time Commitment

If you thought middle school science fairs were hectic, just wait until you’re managing electrical engineering workloads. Expect intense course loads, pages of problems to solve, and group projects that seem to last forever. 

Then there’s lab work, which can swallow your free time whole because circuits don’t always cooperate the first time around. Or the second.

Also, managing multiple deadlines for labs, problem sets, and projects will have you keeping one eye glued to your calendar at all times. 

Simply put, electrical engineering demands your time, your energy, and your ability to focus under pressure.

Strategies for Success in Electrical Engineering

If all that sounds like bad news, keep reading. While electrical engineering is quite a demanding field, there are techniques you can employ to help you succeed in this rigorous, competitive field:

Core Technical Skills

Electrical engineers must master various mathematical and scientific concepts. Some of the key skills include:

• Trigonometry and Calculus: These form the backbone of most electrical engineering principles.

• Nonlinear Math: Essential for understanding the complex relationships in systems like power grids or signal processing.

• Circuit Design: Knowing how to design circuits that are both functional and efficient is crucial.

Effective Study Habits and Resources

Study smart, not hard. Okay, maybe it’s a good idea to study hard, but you should never do so without a game plan. 

Form study groups where you can learn from peers and solve problems together. Make use of resources like online tutorials, YouTube lectures, and even tutoring services if you’re stuck on a concept.

And here’s a golden rule: balance is key. Pair your theoretical understanding with problem-solving practice. Getting the “why” is essential, but you also need to nail the “how.” 

When the two align, you’ll find yourself making progress faster than you’d expect. More importantly, you’ll find that you have a more concrete understanding of the subject matter, one that lasts long after the final exams have been graded.

Gaining Practical Experience

Theoretical knowledge only takes you so far. Hands-on experience is where the real magic happens. Take up internships, shadow electrical engineers in their roles, or join research projects at your college or with Polygence. Tinker with personal projects—even if they fail, they’ll help you learn.

The bonus? Practical experience significantly boosts your resume. Employers want engineers who can implement ideas, not just understand concepts.

Real Student Experiences and Advice

Wondering what it’s like to be an electrical engineer? Here’s a look:

Testimonials from Electrical Engineering Students

Many students in electrical engineering admit they’ve had moments of doubt. 

But, says Alex Yang, a graduate student at Southern Methodist University, “Absolutely do not stress too much about failing, because if you're doing something new, chances are you're gonna fail like 1,000 times, and it's very much an iterative process where you need to go back and figure it out all over again. But that's where you learn the most, and it’s how I learned most of my coding skills, like how to debug.”

Almost everyone feels overwhelmed at some point. What matters is how you tackle the challenge.

Career Outlook and Rewards

Electrical engineering is a broad field, and there are numerous career paths you can pursue once you’ve earned your degree.

Diverse Career Paths

Electrical engineers work in a variety of industries, ranging from telecommunications and renewable energy to aerospace and healthcare. Here are some potential job titles:

• Automotive Engineer: Working on electric vehicle technologies and power systems.

• Biomedical Engineer: Developing medical devices like pacemakers or imaging equipment.

• Computer Engineer: Focusing on the hardware and software side of computers.

• Power Engineer: Specializing in the generation and distribution of electrical power.

• Telecom Engineer: Working with communication systems such as cell networks and fiber optics.

With the relentless pace of technological innovation, skilled electrical engineers are always in demand. They’re well compensated, too, with a median salary exceeding most other fields with a median wage of $111,910, per the BLS.

But beyond job security and salary, it’s a deeply rewarding field for those who are passionate about creating and innovating. 

Final Reflections on Tackling Electrical Engineering

How difficult is electrical engineering? Very. But is it rewarding? Even more so. 

Challenges in the field might test your limits, but they also push you to develop invaluable skills—not just academically, but in time management, problem-solving, and perseverance.

Need more help preparing yourself for a rigorous career in electrical engineering? Be sure to check out Polygence’s research opportunities, including Pods, where you have the opportunity towk one on one with an experienced mentor to explore what interests you most. 

Remember, success in electrical engineering isn’t about innate talent or genius-level IQ. It’s about grit, curiosity, and the willingness to face complex problems head-on. 

If you’re ready to tackle the challenge, then congratulations, future engineer. You’ve selected a field where the rewards far outweigh the struggle.