Electrical Engineer
Gracie Martinez and Ava Alves
Training, Other Qualifications
Electrical and electronics engineers typically enter the occupation with a bachelor's degree in an engineering specialty, but some basic research positions may require a graduate degree. Engineers offering their services directly to the public must be licensed. Continuing education to keep current with rapidly changing technology is important for engineers.
What They Do
Electronics engineers, except computer, are responsible for a wide range of technologies, from portable music players to the global positioning system (GPS), which can continuously provide the location of, for example, a vehicle. Electronics engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems. Many electronics engineers also work in areas closely related to computers. However, engineers whose work is related exclusively to computer hardware are considered computer hardware engineers. Electronics engineers specialize in areas such as communications, signal processing, and control systems, or have a specialty within one of these areas; for example, control systems or aviation electronics.
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. Some of this equipment includes electric motors; machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings; automobiles; aircraft; radar and navigation systems; and power generation, control, and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Although the terms electrical and electronics engineering often are used interchangeably in academia and industry, electrical engineers have traditionally focused on the generation and supply of power; whereas electronics engineers have worked on applications of electricity to control systems or signal processing. Electrical engineers specialize in areas such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing.
Edith Clarke
Edith Clarke was born on February 10, 1883 in Howard County, Maryland. In 1908, she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and astronomy from Vassar College. After teaching physics at a girls' school for a few years, Edith decided to go back to school. She enrolled in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1918, earned her master's degree in electrical engineering. She was the first woman to receive a degree from that department.
From 1919 until her first retirement in 1945, Edith worked as an engineer for General Electric. In 1921, she received a patent for her "graphical calculator." This device was used to solve electric power transmission line problems. In 1926, Edith became the first woman to deliver a paper before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. In 1947, Edith went to teach electrical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin. She was the first woman to teach engineering there. Edith's accomplishments was recognized in 1954 by the Society of Women Engineers Achievements Award "in recognition of her many original contributions to stability theory and circuit analysis." She retired from teaching in 1956. Edith Clarke died in October 1959 at the age of 76.
Edith Clarke's inventions has made a difference in the world of electrical engineering and for women across the globe.