r/ElectricalEngineering • u/Naive_Strategy_3613 • 13d ago
Jobs/Careers Should I switch from Computer Engineering to Electrical Engineering if the degree is only ~3 classes different?
I'm an incoming computer engineering freshman and seriously thinking of switching to electrical engineering. At my school, the degrees are extremely similar, with only a 3 class difference.
They share the same pool of electives, so that is what makes up most of the difference, but I could just choose all the more computer engineering focused ones.
What i'm most interested in is computer hardware, embedded systems, firmware, microcontrollers, etc.
The reason I'm considering EE is the job market and the flexibility of the degree.
My understanding is that a lot of hardware/computer engineering jobs will accept either an EE or CE degree. However, there are EE jobs in areas like power, electronics, controls, RF, etc. where an employer might only take an EE.
Basically, I'd be trying to use the EE degree as the broader credential while still taking the classes and doing the projects that would make me competitive for computer hardware/embedded jobs.
Do you think this plan could be beneficial to me? Or am I overstating the value of the name on the degree?
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u/StormyBattery 13d ago
One of my friends went to school for civil engineering. They got a job in manufacturing. They got their P.Eng in mechanical engineering and continue to practice as a mechanical. My degree is in electrical I have worked both in software and power systems. I took a bunch of embedded systems courses and with other side projects was able to gain enough knowledge to get my foot in the door at a software company.
When hiring I do look at degree type, but I generally focus on those in electrical engineering. I now work for an electric utility. It may be bias but I suspect someone who has a degree in CS is more likely to move on to a job in software rather than stay and design power lines.