Transitioning into electrical engineering: How can you leverage your current skills for success?

In high school, I was studying a major that relied on mathematics. When I moved to the university stage and started studying electricity, I was not good at understanding matters related to electricity. I tried to find a solution to this matter because I was not able to get good grades, but after a period of time and after in-depth research, I found The solution to this problem was that I had to understand the basics related to electricity. I tried to find books that talked about Kirchhoff’s law, contract law, and Ohm’s law, and I practiced some exercises on them, and this helped me get the highest grade in the second semester.The result is that in order to excel and stand out in a field, you must understand the basics related to that field

Getting a firm grasp of the basics of electrical engineering is the first step both for Projects as well O&M electrical engineers. Apart from Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, basics of cable sizing, voltage drop calculation, equipment rating finalization, etc. should also be understood. Familiarize yourself with the tools of electrical engineering, like multimeters and oscilloscopes, and the symbols used in circuit diagrams. Your ability to comprehend these foundational elements will serve as the bedrock upon which you can build more complex knowledge.

Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software is a requirement for development of electrical schematics, PCB layouts, Equipment layout, SLD, etc. Application Programming skills are also increasingly important in this field, particularly for relay design, PLC programming, energy SACDA, etc. Latest programming knowledge no doubt gives you an edge in designing and testing these systems, however, chose wisely among languages.

Problem solving is considered one of the most important skills that anyone who wants to make a mark in the world of electricity must master, but why can this skill distinguish one person from another? Because, simply put, this skill includes many skills that fall within it, which are thinking slowly and not letting your nerves control you. It also requires cooperation and understanding between colleagues, each person and his role. It also requires that you be familiar with a large amount of the basics of electricity, understanding diagrams and drawings, and understanding how to trace errors step by step.

It is right that Problem-solving is a universal skill. In design as well as operation and maintenance of electrical equipment, trouble shooting is an important component. Many a times innovative solutions, such as energy-efficiency management can save a lot for the companies. Troubleshooting malfunctioning electrical equipment is crucial for maintaining required uptime for the system. Systematic approach, good understanding of schematic, SLD, layout, etc. is essential pre-requisite for success.

Collaboration with professionals from various disciplines is key to success, as most of the electrical equipment require foundations (to be designed by Civil engineers), are required to match the torque speed characteristics of driven equipment like pumps, taken care by mechanical engineers, and all automation is taken care by SCADA/ IT engineers. Thus, a lot of interface is required and accordingly a team work of the Project Deptt is very essential for Project Success for electrical projects.

Continuous learning is one of the most important habits that must be acquired, whether you are in the field of electricity or other fields. Science is the food for the mind, and one of the things that has helped me and that I advise is taking educational courses, and the most important sites that help in this are the Coursera website and LinkedIn. You should also try to apply this information in reality by participating in workshops and contributing to volunteer work, for example, laying pipes and making electrical plans for an orphanage or helping to install solar panel systems, providing load calculations, and other assistance that will benefit you in reinforcing the concepts you have studied.

Battery, Solar and other electrical technologies are changing fast and unless we keep evolving through continuous learning, professional development will be hampered. In the field, there are various opportunities such as IEEE, IEE seminar, NACE seminars, NACE/ AMPS certifications, etc. which can differentiate your skills over others. I suggest to update daily and review monthly what all skills we learnt in the month.

Transitioning into electrical engineering requires a blend of technical knowledge and practical skills. If you're coming from a different field, you can leverage your existing skills by focusing on problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and attention to detail. These are transferable skills that are valuable in engineering. Additionally, your experience in project management or data analysis can be beneficial in understanding complex systems and processes. Building on your foundation, consider taking courses or certifications to enhance your understanding of electrical concepts and technologies. Networking with professionals in the field can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth.