Link to original video by Ali the Dazzling

Which Electrical Engineering Subfield is For You?

Short Summary:

This video explores 15 different career paths for electrical engineering graduates, highlighting the diverse applications of the field. The speaker, Ellie, a post-doctoral fellow at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasizes the fun and exciting nature of electrical engineering, using her own experiences to illustrate the various subfields. She explains the core concepts of each branch, including electronics, computer engineering, software engineering, embedded systems, antennas, RF and microwave circuits, photonics, telecommunications, networking, controls, power, microelectronics, biomedical engineering, physics, and other miscellaneous fields. Ellie emphasizes the problem-solving skills developed through electrical engineering, which can be applied to various careers beyond traditional engineering roles.

Detailed Summary:

1. Introduction:

Ellie introduces the video's purpose: to guide aspiring electrical engineers through 15 different career options.
She mentions her book, "Whatever Electrical Engineering Student Must Know," which provides a roadmap for the field.
Ellie highlights the diverse roles within electrical engineering, including design, testing, field work, and computer simulations.

2. Electronics:

Ellie defines electronics as the study and design of electronic circuits, using examples like simple circuits with batteries, resistors, and loads.
She discusses the process of building circuits using breadboards and printed circuit boards (PCBs), sharing her own experience designing PCBs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Ellie emphasizes the creative and hands-on nature of electronics, with applications ranging from simple LEDs to complex audio amplifiers.

3. Computer Engineering:

Ellie explains that computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software.
She differentiates between analog and digital circuits, using the example of a microphone converting an analog sound signal into a digital signal.
Ellie highlights key components of computers like processors, RAM, and hard drives, emphasizing the importance of understanding how digital circuits function.
She mentions programming languages like C and C++ as essential for computer engineers, particularly for their ability to interact directly with hardware.

4. Software Engineering:

Ellie clarifies that software engineering is a distinct field but can be pursued with an electrical engineering degree.
She shares her observation that many electrical engineering graduates find careers in software development, highlighting the transferable skills acquired in the field.
Ellie emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between software and hardware, particularly in the context of embedded systems.

5. Embedded Systems:

Ellie defines embedded systems as specialized computers designed for specific applications, such as thermostats or wearable devices.
She describes the role of microcontrollers and microchips in embedded systems, emphasizing the use of programming languages like C and C++.
Ellie recommends Arduino microcontrollers as a beginner-friendly platform for learning about embedded systems.

6. Antennas:

Ellie expresses her passion for antennas, showcasing examples like dish antennas and omnidirectional antennas.
She explains the principle of antennas as devices that radiate or receive electromagnetic waves, using the analogy of a metal reflector for radio waves.
Ellie shares her current work on the SThROS telescope, a balloon-borne telescope with a 2.5-meter dish antenna.
She also mentions her own research on origami antennas, highlighting the diverse applications of antenna engineering in wireless communication and space exploration.

7. RF and Microwave Circuits:

Ellie explains that RF (radio frequency) circuits are responsible for transmitting signals to antennas, using examples like matching networks and waveguides.
She emphasizes the complexity of RF circuits, requiring a deep understanding of impedance matching and Smith charts.
Ellie shares her experience with RF circuit classes and the importance of RF knowledge for antenna engineers.

8. Photonics and Optics:

Ellie introduces photonics as the study of light-based circuits and devices, highlighting applications like lasers and fiber optics.
She compares photonics to electronics, emphasizing the use of light instead of electrical signals at higher frequencies.
Ellie mentions her experience with laser-based CubeSats and laser satellites, showcasing the growing field of photonics.

9. Telecommunications and Signal Processing:

Ellie defines telecommunications as the transmission of information over long distances, using examples like radio, cell phones, and satellite communication.
She explains that signal processing is a crucial aspect of telecommunications, involving mathematical techniques like Fourier transforms to manipulate signals.
Ellie uses examples like audio equalizers and electronic music production software to illustrate the applications of signal processing.
She highlights the importance of the "signals and systems" course in understanding signal processing.

10. Networking:

Ellie defines networking as the interconnection of multiple devices, using examples like computer networks, phone networks, and satellite constellations.
She emphasizes the role of protocols and architectures in networking, using the example of IP (Internet Protocol).
Ellie introduces the OSI model as a framework for understanding the different layers of networking, from physical layer to application layer.
She highlights the importance of problem-solving and design skills in networking, comparing it to traffic management on highways.

11. Controls:

Ellie defines control systems as systems that regulate and maintain stability, using examples like thermostats and airplane control systems.
She explains the concept of feedback systems, where outputs influence inputs to maintain desired conditions.
Ellie emphasizes the importance of control systems in ensuring safety and efficiency in various applications, particularly in transportation.

12. Power:

Ellie discusses the importance of power engineering in generating, storing, and distributing electricity on both small and large scales.
She uses examples like hydroelectric power plants, solar panels, and power generators to illustrate different power systems.
Ellie introduces power electronics as a subfield focusing on energy transfer and conversion within electronic circuits.

13. Microelectronics and Microfabrication:

Ellie explains microelectronics as the design and fabrication of circuits on a microscopic scale, using examples like transistors and integrated circuits.
She highlights the role of microfabrication engineers in manufacturing these tiny circuits using wafers.

14. Biomedical Engineering:

Ellie describes biomedical engineering as the application of electrical engineering principles to healthcare, using examples like MRI machines and biomedical sensors.
She emphasizes the role of electrical engineers in developing medical imaging and instrumentation technologies.

15. Physics:

Ellie suggests that students interested in the theoretical foundations of electrical engineering, particularly in electromagnetic physics and quantum physics, may pursue a career in physics.

16. Other Fields:

Ellie concludes by emphasizing that the problem-solving skills developed through electrical engineering can be applied to various fields beyond traditional engineering roles, including business, medicine, and law.

Notable Quotes:

"Electrical engineering is fun and I'm having too much fun at work. I want you guys to have just as much fun."
"The real value of an engineer is not necessarily the 'I can build a circuit' or 'I can do any of that.' What you're really getting is 'I can solve a problem. I can figure out what needs to be done and I can quickly think up a solution on how to do it.'"
"The top level entrepreneurs and business owners such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Henry Ford, these guys are all engineers. They all have engineering or physics background."