Hi all, I am in electrical and electronic engineering degree course and have a conundrum choosing a specialisation: Power or IT. IT can be further branched out to wireless communications or computer engineering or AI/Machine Learning

Pros/cons of Power:
-A pathway to Professional Engineer if I choose to; can switch to consulting in later years when I am older with more experience
-Good job security and able to enter many industries
-I find power rather mundane but I don't mind doing it if it means a good life! (Mixed feelings; don't hate but no love)

Pros/cons of IT:
-IT graduates are really in demand; good starting pay
-Worried about competition from foreigners. IT can easily be outsourced; You don't have to be in a country to do coding whereas being a PE/specializing in power means good job security due to need for a professional licence

Personal opinion: Alot of ppl are advising me that IT is not as rosy as Power, especially when I'm coming from EEE background which means I won't be able to compete with computer science guys. Admittedly, my only experience with programming and coding is from school and I have been busy with sch work to explore it further.

My question is what should I consider when choosing my specialization. Please do not advise me to chase my interest/passion or it doesn't matter that much. I would prefer to be able to apply what I learnt in school instead of making my life even harder when I start working. I am aware things are not set in stone but I wish to make the best choice right now.

 

Power distribution is incorporating IT increasingly with “smart grids” requiring computer hardware and software, even AI.

Specializing in IT for power distribution could get you both. That is, know power but also IT.

 

Power distribution is incorporating IT increasingly with “smart grids” requiring computer hardware and software, even AI.

Specializing in IT for power distribution could get you both. That is, know power but also IT.

I don't hold a double degree in EEE and computer science =P
I guess it can work but it's really limited in terms of roles out there

Does it make sense to be in EEE and then specializing in IT? Would you become a jack of all trades, master of none, especially when competing with computer science dudes who are definitely better than you IT wise?

I'm having a wrapped view that if you are in EEE, it's better to specializing in Power or electronics as that's what EEE is for i.e. no other dudes can compete with you. What do you guys think?

Here's a food for thought:
Value chain jobs is what makes a company money - jobs in the value chain are typically called "profit centers" for that reason. They provide both revenue and have cost where the net difference is profit for the company.

Overhead jobs do not make money for the company but provide key background services to make the company run - jobs in overhead are called "cost centers" for that reason - they cost but provided no revenue. Examples of overhead jobs: facilities, accounting, legal, IT, HR, and strictly executive management (though obviously they are always last fired).

IT is generally overhead unless you work for a company that provided IT outsource services, and then it's value chain/product. Overhead jobs are outsourceable jobs. Overhead jobs are first-to-be-cut jobs.

 

What I was suggesting is that you KNOW IT/CS but get credentials for EE.

At my university there was a resurgence in the EE department in power distribution courses over the last 10 years or so as it became clear the power grid was going to have to evolve.

It was often the advice to computer engineering students to do the first two years of EE, then transfer, because it is very rare that a computer-oriented degree provides the background needed to really excel at practical applications of computers to sensors, actuators, and other real works connections to computers.

So, get your EE certification but learn IT/CS and make sure you can demonstrate it to potential employers. That will give you an edge, and differentiate you from others.