Electrical engineering is a branch of the engineering profession that focuses on the development of electrical or electronic systems. Electrical engineers have an intimate understanding of electricity and electronic circuits and can apply their knowledge in a variety of industries, from computers to power generation. Because many mechanical systems are now integrated with electronics, electrical engineers often work with mechanical engineers to develop complex systems, such as aircraft, automobiles, and manufacturing equipment. Currently, there are about 300,000 electrical and electronic engineers in the United States.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

Electrical theory began as a subset of physics as scientists learned about electricity in the 17th and 18th centuries.http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/pioneers/ Electrical engineering was formalized as a profession in the late 19th century as electricity was becoming available to the public. The two initial industries that utilized electrical engineers were power generation and communications, primarily the telegraph.

Today, electrical engineers are found in many industries, including:

• Telecommunications
• Power transmission
• Microelectronics
• Sensors
• Signal processing
• Computers
• Control systems
• Robotics
• Manufacturing

As with most engineering fields, electrical engineers can earn a relatively high salary compared to other college graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 200, electrical engineers earn a median salary of $82,160 per year. Entry level electrical engineers earn on average $60,125 per year with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Higher level degrees often command higher salaries.

Entry level electrical engineers are often hired to be part of a project team, and focus on specific tasks within the team. As the engineer gains more experience, he may take on project management and personnel management.

IEEE is the primary professional society for electrical engineers.http://www.ieee.org/index.html The organization allows for dissemination of research information, advocates for the industry, and local, regional, and worldwide fellowship between electrical engineers.