Your degree in Electrical Engineering

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Electrical Engineering, you’re learning to apply your knowledge of electrical systems and devices to invent and design new and innovative technologies such as smart electric grids and wireless wearable technology. You’ll develop important skills to solve modern day problems such as climate change through renewable power and improving patient care through medical devices.

These skills may include:

• Application of circuit design and analysis principles to develop electrical, electronic and electro-mechanical components, subsystems and processes (e.g., power generation equipment, electrical systems of aircrafts, radar and navigation systems)
• Preparation of detailed electrical designs of communication, control, power distribution, lighting, and other systems
• Building prototype electrical systems and verifying designs through analysis and testing
• Development of sizing and specifications of technical components for electrical systems
• Usage of specialized software to perform various technical calculations and studies for load, lighting, arc flash, and power system design
• Equipment testing and assessments in accordance with applicable codes, regulations, industry standards, and practices
• Technical report writing skills to prepare customer proposals, work plans, schedules, and estimates
• Coding programs for complex state machines, microcontrollers, arithmetic circuits and interface units using various languages such as C++, Java or Python

Explore career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including biomedicine, hardware design, automotive power, electronics, power systems design, autonomous robots, communications and network technology, and software design, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.

• UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Society
  Participate in social activities and industry events to meet like-minded individuals.
• UBC Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Student Branch
  Attend technical workshops, participate in industry field trips and join student competitions.
• UBC Subbots
  Collaborate with peers from multiple disciplines to design and manufacture an autonomous underwater vehicle.
• UBC Formula Electric
  Join a multidisciplinary team to build an electric formula-style race care to compete in the annual international competition.
• UBC Thunderbots
  Design and create competitive robots to compete in the Small Size League of the international Robocup Federation.
• UBC Orbit
  Develop hands-on technical experience in developing new satellite technologies.
• UBC Engineering Co-op
  Gain work experience in electrical engineering between study terms.
• entrepreneurship@UBC
  Find the resources and mentorship support you need to take your startup idea to the next level.
• UBC Esports Association
  Attend events and meet people from various gaming communities across the Lower Mainland.
• Innovation OnBoard
  Learn about the world of entrepreneurship and join a competition team to develop your entrepreneurial skills.
• Code the Change Foundation
  Use your technical skills to create innovative software solutions for non-profit organizations.
• Creative Destruction Lab Health Stream
  Get the resources and mentorship support you need to take your health innovation idea to the next level.
• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions.
• Internet of Things (IoT) Events
  View upcoming events and conferences on new technologies for different sectors.
• BCTech job board
  Check out tech and engineering job opportunities within BC.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Aerospace Industry Association of Canada
• Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC
• Association for Computing Machinery
• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada
• BC Electrical Association
• BC Tech Association
• Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology
• Canadian Electrical Contractors Association
• Canadian Electricity Association
• Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society
• Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering
• Canadian Society of Professional Engineers
• DigiBC
• Electrical Contractors Association of BC
• Energy Services BC
• Engineering Institute of Canada
• Engineers & Geoscientists BC
• Engineers Canada
• IEEE Control Systems Society
• IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
• IEEE Industrial Electronics Society
• IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement
• IEEE Power and Energy Society
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Vancouver Section
• Institute of Power Engineers BC
• Medical Device Development Centre
• Photons Canada
• Society of Automotive Engineers BC
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Electrical Engineering graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Applied Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Engineering degree.