Electronic Engineering Technology is concerned with the practicalities of engineering rather than concepts or theories. It requires the application of scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills to support engineering activities such as design, research, development, production and maintenance. The graduate's career choices include electronics technician, maintenance mechanic, electrical maintenance technician, engineering assistant, computer test technician, research and design technician, electronic maintenance technician or field service representative.

Duties

Technicians in this field may be required to:

• troubleshoot and repair electrical and electronic equipment

• repair electrical and electronic equipment

• operate electrical and electronic equipment

Working Conditions

Technicians in this field commonly experience:

• various environments depending on company facility

• some travel (field representative)

• some work under stress to meet deadlines

• work under direct supervision or little or no supervision

Physical Demands

• active (walking, standing, carrying)

• occasional heavy lifting/usually less than 50 lbs.

Characteristics & Temperament

Technicians in this field should have:

• good written and oral communication

• strong ability to work with machines - setting up, maintaining, operating, troubleshooting

• ability to do precision work

• ability to perform numerical functions quickly and accurately

• spatial aptitude: recognize relationships resulting from the movement of objects

• mechanical reasoning - ability to understand mechanical principles and devices

• good motor coordination: hand/eye coordination, finger/manual dexterity

• ability to reason logically

Employment Outlook

Employment statistics for 2003-2008 PTC graduates, who found jobs in this field, are as follows:

• salary average: $36,000

• salary range: $22,500-49,000 per year  

• 82% placement rate

• excellent outlook because of variety of possible jobs

• entry employment as maintenance technician, electrician, electrical tester, product designer, cable technician

• advancement to positions in engineering or management likely with experience and possibly further education

• employment in cities and towns of all sizes

Employers

Some recent graduates have found work at:

• Actaris

• Amerilink

• Austin International

• Carolina By Products

• Capsugel

• Cooper Power Systems

• Commissioners of Public Works

• Covidien

• Eaton Corporation

• Fuji Film

• General Electric

• Goodrich

• Greenwood Mills

• Kaiser Aluminum

• Kinard Control Systems

• Michelin

• Milliken

• Northland Cable

• Saluda River Electric Co-op

• Trantech

• Velux

• West Carolina Rural Telephone Incorporated, Inc.

• Westinghouse