Electrical engineering is the process of devising new electrical power systems or electrical components for a broad range of equipment and products, from toys to turbines.

• Key Traits: Excellent mathematical skills, problem-solving skills, attention to detail.
• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (entry-level), master’s degree (advanced), doctoral degree (advanced or research).
• Where Electrical Engineering Is Needed: Manufacturing and design firms, energy utilities companies.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
2,700 new jobs, or 2% growth rate nation-wideⁱ

Computer hardware engineering is responsible for designing and developing the physical components that make up computers, including circuit boards and computer chips, as well as peripheral equipment such as printers and keyboards.

• Key Traits: Strong mathematical abilities, attention to detail, methodical working style.
• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (entry-level), master’s degree (advanced), doctoral degree (advanced or research).
• Where Computer Hardware Engineering Is Needed: Manufacturing and design firms.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
2,800 new jobs, or 4% growth rate nation-wideⁱⁱ

From e-mail to voice mail, this field bears responsibility for designing, implementing, and testing computer networking and communications systems.

• Key Traits: Mathematical/logical skills, analytical skills, methodical working style.
• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (entry-level), master’s degree (advanced).
• Where Computer Network Analysis Is Needed: Public and private companies, institutions such as schools, universities, and hospitals, technology consultation or analysis firms.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
155,800 new jobs, or 53% growth rate nation-wideⁱⁱⁱ

This field involves the design, programming, and testing of software programs and applications.

• Key Traits: Mathematical/logical skills, problem-solving skills, project management skills.
• Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (entry-level), master’s degree (advanced).
• Where Computer Software Engineering Is Needed: Software development companies, technology consultation or analysis firms.

Projected Growth Through 2018**:
295,200 new jobs, or 32% growth rate nation-wide^iv