As a long-time student in the US,
I need to step in and correct some misconceptions:
CS is booming—applications and jobs are on fire,
but is it really wise to encourage everyone to switch to CS?
Especially for the large number of students about to study EE.
There’s a rumor that EE graduates can’t find jobs.
Since EE and CS are inherently interdisciplinary,
countless people are rushing to jump out of this 'fire pit' and into CS.
But this is really unwise!
Guest Speaker
B.S. in Computer Science, Stony Brook University
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Oregon State University
Currently working at Mentor Graphics
Why EE (Guest Q&A)
Q:
I personally admire your persistence in EE. How do you view your own choice?
A:
From freshman to senior year, I studied EE throughout my undergraduate in the US. I watched classmates switch to CS, switch to math, start businesses, drop out—along the way, fewer and fewer peers remained. As for why I didn’t follow the crowd into CS, I think that although EE involves a lot of programming, the depth of programming knowledge needed is limited; the C, C++, assembly, etc. we use are relatively basic for pure CS backgrounds. I took things as they came and focused on learning what I loved.
I’ve always been very hands-on. For me, simply writing code on a computer is nowhere near as exciting as creating tangible, visible changes in the real world. So, for a tech-oriented guy like me, CS is more abstract, while EE is more concrete.
Q:
You’ve been recommending Verification Engineering. Is it a hot direction now?
A:
I’ve been deeply interested in embedded systems since undergrad. As a major subfield of EE, embedded systems are relatively easier for international students to find jobs in. However, after delving deeper, I realized many directions don’t allow international students to participate. For example, the most renowned EE professor at my undergrad school collaborated directly with Lockheed Martin, the largest US defense contractor. Getting into his lab was a pipe dream for me. My current focus is Verification Engineer, a career path that many domestic students are unfamiliar with.
Let me introduce it—here’s a short definition of a Verification Engineer:
A verification engineer develops testing processes to determine if a product works as expected before it launches or is delivered to a customer. A verification engineer might work to debug a software program before it launches or work to ensure a widget works like a customer expects before mass production begins. Modifications might be recommended to tweak the design, but when a project is completed, the verification engineer has ensured a quality product is delivered to customers.
I’m personally not very interested in research, and I’ve been interning in companies since undergrad, so I know that verification engineer is my future direction. Many students are unaware of this role not just because of information barriers, but mainly because very few US universities offer verification courses in their EE programs, and even fewer have dedicated verification tracks. Among the ones that do, most are not well-known big names—fewer than 10 schools in the top 100 offer verification as a focus. This is mainly because the US has a huge demand for verification engineers, and the field is entirely employment-oriented, with almost no research involved. Thus, attentive students will notice that schools offering these courses are usually surrounded by large companies, and instructors often have full-time jobs themselves. As I mentioned, many US university courses are out of touch with reality, teaching very outdated content. So once I solidified my direction, I resolutely chose to pursue a master’s in verification.
Q:
What courses would you recommend for the Verification direction?
A:
Verification has many subfields, like timing verification, functional verification, etc. Specific courses include SoC design, emulation verification, compiler verification, pre-silicon verification, formal verification, and so on.
Q:
So your own career direction is to become a Verification Engineer? What are the job prospects like?
A:
Yes. After talking so much about verification, my future career will definitely be as a verification engineer. From what I’ve observed, in many small companies, one person does both design and verification, but in large companies, the ratio of designers to verification engineers is at least 3:5. That means a product team needing 3 design engineers requires at least 5 verification engineers. And since there are very few formally trained verification engineers to begin with, the demand gap for verification engineers at large US companies is huge.
Take Mentor Graphics near our school, a world-class giant in electronic design automation (EDA). They have a huge demand for verification engineers, and the citizenship requirements are not as strict as for EE engineers. Typically, when a new product is being developed, both the design team and the verification team receive the product requirements at the same time, discuss them, and then proceed separately. For example, designing a simple memory—the verification team also independently designs a memory, creates a test environment, and needs to verify not only the 8-to-1 mux but also all inputs and outputs; ultimately, our verification team judges whether they match. But actually, I came to Oregon State aiming for Intel’s largest campus worldwide nearby. After arriving, I learned that Intel has citizenship requirements for workers, so I missed out on my dream company—a bit disappointing.
Some application advice for students wanting to go into EE.
Let me share my views on school selection. I think everyone has their own preference; some care about prestige and rankings, while I focus entirely on the EE program’s courses and the quality of companies around the school. The New York/New Jersey area where I did my undergrad is practically a dead zone for EE. At the time, I considered only the Austin, TX area, the research triangle around UNC Chapel Hill, the Bay Area, and where I am now—the 'Silicon Forest.' After weighing everything, I chose the Silicon Forest. Besides the many giant companies nearby like Intel, NIKE, Airbnb, Tektronix, Mentor Graphics, and even Seattle to the north (also within the Silicon Forest range) with Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia, etc., the low cost of living attracted me here. California’s high taxes (nearly 40%) and high living costs make many well-paid programmers live paycheck to paycheck, sometimes even needing family subsidies. With almost the same salary, Washington State has no state income tax, and Oregon has no sales tax, so your paycheck stays almost intact. The same rent that gets you a studio with no bedroom in the Bay Area can get you a whole floor of a newly renovated house here. My goal is clear: I want a stable American middle-class life, where despite a busy job, I can still eat well, buy what I want, and not have to scrimp just to survive. So, a prestigious school isn’t what I’m pursuing.
In Jim’s eyes, Oregon offers abundant job opportunities, low cost of living, and a livable environment—truly a high-value place. I myself truly agree with the Work/Life Balance philosophy: busy yet fulfilling, relaxed yet enjoyable. The 'Silicon Forest' is indeed a great place. Attached map—seeing this kind of company distribution, you can rest assured you won’t worry about jobs after graduation.
What is EE?
Electrical Engineering (EE) is one of the core disciplines in modern technology. With the rapid development of science and technology, 21st-century electrical engineering encompasses almost all engineering activities related to electronics and photonics.
In China, some schools call it Electronic Engineering and Information Science, or Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. The US EE field differs significantly from China’s in terms of research, teaching, and academic organization. American EE is a highly interdisciplinary subject. The teaching and research areas in major US universities can be broadly summarized into 11 directions: Communications and Networking, Computer Science and Engineering, Signal Processing, Systems and Control, Electronics and Integrated Circuits, Photonics and Optics, Electric Power, Electromagnetics, Microstructures, Materials and Devices, and Bioengineering.
Because the research focus in the same direction may not be completely aligned between China and the US, students should comprehensively consider the specific graduate-level focuses and characteristics of each subfield when choosing a specialization. Compared to CS, which leans toward software, EE is more hardware-oriented. Hardware EE can be subdivided into signal processing, electromagnetic fields and microwaves, integrated circuits, IC design, etc.
Research Areas
The research areas in EE are very broad, so different US universities have varying focuses. Taking Georgia Institute of Technology’s EE program as an example, it offers 11 research directions:
Bioengineering
Computer Systems and Software
Digital Signal Processing
Electrical Energy
Electromagnetics
Electronic Design and Applications
Microelectronics/Microsystems
Optics and Photonics
Systems and Controls
Telecommunications
VLSI Systems and Digital Design
As an example, Rutgers University’s MS in ECE program offers 6 research directions, and students choose their future research area at the time of application:
Communications,
Computer Engineering
Digital Signal Processing
Software Engineering
Solid State Electronics
Systems and Controls
Which School to Choose?
As one of the oldest engineering disciplines and the most sustainable within engineering, EE has always been pursued by many applicants, maintaining high popularity.
Top EE Schools
MIT:
MIT’s EE programs are offered within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the largest department in the School of Engineering.
Main master’s programs offered:
Master of Science (MS) – not a standalone MS, but awarded when certain requirements are met during PhD studies.
Master of Engineering (MEng) – 1 year, only for MIT EECS undergraduates.
Electrical Engineer (EE)/Engineer in Computer Science
For doctoral students within the department, it requires some graduate coursework and a thesis of broader/deeper scope than a master's. The PhD program is Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)/Doctor of Science (ScD), lasting 4-7 years depending on thesis completion, requiring a bachelor's degree regardless of major but with a background in math, physics, computer science, or engineering; GRE not required.
Admission Requirements
GRE: No minimum
TOEFL ≧100, IELTS ≧7
GPA: No minimum
Tuition: $48,140/year
Website: http://www.eecs.mit.edu/
Caltech:
Caltech is a tech institute on par with MIT; its EE department belongs to the Division of Engineering and Applied Science. The program is small and rigorous, 1 year. Caltech’s EE prefers applicants with strong backgrounds in physics, chemistry, computer science, math, etc.
Admission Requirements
GRE: No minimum
Language: No minimum
GPA: 3.5+
Tuition: $43,710/year
Website: http://ee.caltech.edu/
Georgia Tech:
Known as the MIT of the South, Gatech excels in engineering. The EE program is in the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, 1-1.5 years. Research directions include Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, Digital Signal Processing, Electrical Energy, Electromagnetics, Electronic Design and Applications, Microsystems, Optics and Photonics, Systems and Controls, Telecommunications.
Admission Requirements
GRE: No minimum
TOEFL ≧79
GPA: N/A
Tuition: $30,064/year
Website: http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/colleges/coe/ece/grad/msece.php
Where to Go After Graduate?
Because the demand for EE talent in the US has actually been in short supply, EE job prospects are not as bleak as people think. Let’s look at EE employment.
From 2016 EE employment data, popular states for international students like New York, Massachusetts, California, and Texas all had high demand for EE talent. So the rumor that EE grads have nowhere to go is biased. Let’s discuss where EE graduates end up, based on different research directions.
Overall, EE produces advanced technical talent, so graduates have a wide range of employment options and strong adaptability. Generally, EE graduate students can take on important roles in system operation, automatic control, information processing, experimental technology, R&D, economic management, and electronic/computer technology applications. They can also work in power generation plants, power supply bureaus, grid dispatch centers for design, construction, commissioning, production, operation, management, marketing, R&D, and technical training, or in equipment maintenance, repair, installation, and debugging. Additionally, graduates can work in electronic technology jobs in other industries. Typically, an EE master’s starting salary is at least $65,000+.
Research Directions (Employment-Oriented)
1
Micro-Electro-Mechanical
Systems (MEMS) or NEMS, BioMEMS, BioNEMS, etc.: These are relatively new directions under EE, with high novelty and innovation. The research environment in the US is good, but in industry it’s still a new field. Some large companies like Analog, Qualcomm, RFMD are doing MEMS; though the prospects are widely promising, immature market applications lead to a small market currently.
2
Optics/Photonics
Regarding photonics employment in the US, OE devices cover a wide range now, with variations by subfield, but overall it's good. First, many equipment manufacturers like Thorlabs, Newport, Agilent; besides these, many small companies specialize in unique designs. If interested, you can do design, sales, or support. If you like R&D, companies like JDSU, Corning (fiber optics leader), IBM, Intel all have many OE device-related R&D jobs. Beyond that, if you're confident in experimental skills, you can be a process manager. These are all good options with plenty of opportunities. Beyond specialized positions, you have many other industries to choose from because making an OE device is truly an integrated task requiring knowledge of mechanics, programming, electronics, and communications. Now, many cross-disciplinary projects with photonics also exist, giving you even more choices. This is why EE graduates often end up in very diverse jobs.
3
Electromagnetics (EM),
Radar, Microwave
This subfield has relatively few international students in EE. Most research projects are defense-oriented. After a master's, there are not many suitable positions, and most require US citizenship as a prerequisite.
4
Digital/Analog Integrated Circuit
Design
Circuit design has always been the flagship direction for EE/ECE employment. Research projects are closely tied to industry, and it is the main business of many large hardware companies like Intel, NVDIA, IBM, etc. This direction offers ample employment choices, but there are correspondingly many students. Since it's design-oriented, work experience is highly valued; having relevant internships or experience greatly facilitates finding a job in the US.
5
Control Systems
This direction’s research tends to be theoretical and may be dry. In industry, the path is relatively narrow, similar to Robotics and AI; many opportunities are in defense, with some civilian/commercial applications, e.g., medical device companies like Siemens, GE.
6
Biomedical
Related directions are complex, but behind the broad field lies a huge biomedical device industry. Sometimes it even extends to biotechnology or pharmaceuticals. In the US, a large wave of baby boomers will soon retire, with massive medical expenses; Obama's healthcare reforms have also made healthcare more widespread, so the market potential is enormous. Biomedical has many applications; large companies like Siemens and GE need such talent for medical device R&D. Besides specialized medical device companies, even IBM and Microsoft have ventured into this domain. Hospitals and medical institutions also have R&D needs, and consulting firms provide training for hospitals and clinics. So if your research direction aligns with what companies like GE, Phillips, Boston Scientific need, the job prospects are quite good.
7
Networking / Network Security / Wireless Networks
(Computer Networking)
This direction is closely linked to industry, with very practical research topics and high publication output in research, which benefits PhD graduates applying for green cards. Master’s graduates have good job prospects, but competition is intense. Major companies include Cisco, Juniper, Huawei, etc.
8
Image Processing
Related fields intersect with CS. Many positions are defense-related and face many restrictions, but some companies do hire. The industry is rather scattered; currently, hot 3D printing is a part of this industry, and the gaming industry also needs this expertise strongly. Overall, employment in this direction is lukewarm. In terms of job nature, EE/CS grads in this area may not differ much—most end up doing programming.
9
Communications and Signal Processing
This direction attracts many domestic applicants, leading to a large pool of international students in this area in the US, with significant job pressure. Within it, the wireless communication market is huge, but it also absorbs many computer science graduates, so competition is fierce.
10
Renewable Energy
In theory, the outlook should be very good with strong market demand and government support. However, there is near-term risk because there isn’t yet a stable large industry backing it. Everyone can foresee that this field will boom in the coming years, but those graduating in the next 2-3 years may have to start at startups or small companies, which could be a hindrance for green card status and job stability.
11
Power Systems
Employment is excellent. Working at power plants and substations is easy, stable, and relaxed. In the US, this field faces a talent gap—older engineers are retiring, few young Americans study this, while power plants need upgrades and expansion. In recent years, high demand from electric utilities has led many companies to hire, seemingly prompting more schools to recruit faculty in this direction. Currently, Smart Grids, a newer area, falls partly within power systems but overlaps with controls; few Chinese students are in this field, arguably making it the easiest direction for jobs.
12
Power Electronics
Employment is also good. Even in bad economic times, large companies like GE, Siemens, Motorola, ABB, Philips, Analog have continuously posted new roles.
How to Apply?
How to stand out in fierce competition, and who is the most suitable EE applicant? Below are the professional skills needed for more competitive candidates.
Application Background
Generally, applying for EE requires a strong engineering background, excellent and solid math/physics foundation, good hands-on experimental and analytical skills, proficiency with computer software, and some programming ability.
This major is more suitable for students who have taken undergraduate courses including calculus, university physics, programming, analog/digital electronics, engineering mathematics, probability, statistics, signals and communication systems, digital signal processing, automatic control, etc. Additionally, students with rich research experience or publications in electrical and electronic engineering are more likely to be favored by top schools; for instance, UPenn particularly likes applicants with published papers.
Typically, students with a bachelor's in EE, electrical engineering and automation, communication engineering, optical science, or microelectronics are considered direct-prep for EE graduate studies. It's also common for physics majors to apply for electromagnetics/microelectronics, computer science majors for signal processing, and mechanical engineering majors for automatic control.
Recommended Prerequisite Courses
Principles of Electrical Engineering
Digital Logic Design
Programming Methodology
Probability and Random Processes
Principles of Communication Systems
Computer Architecture and Assembly Language
Linear Systems and Signals
Digital Signal Processing
Electronic Devices
Analog Electronics
Digital Electronics
Electromagnetic Fields
Introduction to Automatic Control
Rich research experience, relevant publications, or project outcomes will significantly aid the application.
Standardized Test Scores
GPA: Minimum 3.0, but different schools have different requirements; for top 30, 3.5+ recommended.
GRE: Quantitative section is more important; Verbal 152+ recommended; no subject test required.
TOEFL: 100+; some schools have subsection requirements—check target school websites.
Other Application Materials
Usually three recommendation letters, SOP, resume, transcripts.
