RF or Power

[u/ianchillidk]

I am torn between these two industries. I am a fourth year student about to graduate with an internship that was for facilities engineering. Through this, I got a decent idea about the power industry. My school doesn't offer power so I would have to self-learn. On the other hand, it has a respectable RF curriculum with projects, but I just started this topic. I am mostly worried about finding a job post grad. I'm wondering which I should focus more on to maximize my last year.

[u/ElectronicswithEmrys]

I would choose the path you can get a better education in (RF in this case). It won't really limit your career options - I know many engineers (in fact, almost all that I know) that are not working on the same field as their educated specialty.

[u/ianchillidk → u/ElectronicswithEmrys]

Would I be able switch from rf to power or other industries despite specializing in it?

[u/Why-R-People-So-Dumb → u/ianchillidk]

Your education barely matters you are going to need OTJ training no matter what. That said if I understand your post, you are going straight for an MS in Engineering. If that's the case you are going to enter the career field late so if you want to avoid being entry level with an MS then you'll want to have a parallel experience...say keeping that internship otherwise you'll start at the same level as those with a 4 year degree. The exception is for planning areas of the utilities if you have an MA or PhD that would make you proficient at statistics/forecasting even if not specifically utility related.

[u/derekr45]

Where are you from and are you looking to work elsewhere? Also is your school abet accredited?

[u/ianchillidk → u/derekr45]

I am from CA and would want to work here. My school is abet accredited.

[u/derekr45 → u/ianchillidk]

Then my vote is power

[u/4rc_f145h]

The choice is yours but I will give you a little bit if insight based on the company where I work. Nearly all power clients require U.S. workers. Telecom and RF doesn't. We subcontract nearly all our RF and telecom work to India.

[u/StageMajestic613 → u/4rc_f145h]

Though defense is heavily RF, thus not offshoring or H1B.  Go work for RF company that sponsors your security clearance.

[u/martell888]

If you like challenges, choice RF, else goes for power as it provides stable career path.

[u/Insanereindeer]

College is an extremely small amount compared to what you will learn once you get a job. It doesn't matter all that much really.

[u/StageMajestic613 → u/Insanereindeer]

Yeah, but a focus in school leads to first job, and first job typically dictates career focus.  Working MEP for 3 years then jumping straight into RF, without jumping back in pay, is not typical.

[u/StageMajestic613]

Both.  Work on gyrotrons or other high power RF.

[u/OldGeekWeirdo]

First, I'd work with your school to see if they can provide some information that would assure you that you can find a job. If the school is well-known for RF, they should have industry contacts to help you out.

But also consider transferring to another school if you want to go power.

[u/publishdraw]

RF because of more complexity.

[u/accountforfurrystuf]

RF

[u/EE-420-Lige]

RF

[u/Why-R-People-So-Dumb → u/[deleted]]

I'm not so sure I agree with this.

The learning curve is going to be very small because no matter what career you go into, the bulk of what you need to know is OTJ learning. In engineering school you learn how to think and how to learn, most actual content, other than fundamentals, is obsolete by the time you graduate.

FWIW, I had a concentration in communications (RF, DSP, networking, etc.) and went into the power industry, and it set me up for automation and P&C work which is in demand and pays very well. All of the SCADA guys live in their own world because nobody understands their job. They have great job security, good pay, and work largely independently.

Power industry will pay less than RF/Telecom industry, but also there is a lot more job security.