computer engineer Career Path | See the Career Paths People Really Take

teacher

electrical engineer

graduate student intern

hardware engineer

machine operator

editor

stocker

member board of trustees

intern

Computer engineers are involved in many hardware and software aspects of computing, from the design of individual microcontrollers, microprocessors, personal computers, and supercomputers, to circuit design. Usual tasks include writing software and firmware, designing VLSI chips, designing sensors, designing mixed signal circuit boards, and designing operating systems. Computer engineers are also suited for robotics research, which relies heavily on using digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like motors, communications, and sensors. Computer engineers usually have training in electronic engineering (or electrical engineering), software design, and hardware-software integration instead of only software engineering or electronic engineering.

computer engineer

An Editor coordinates publication efforts through editing, writing, indexing and producing manuals, manuscripts, and journals.  Their role is to monitor and coordinate the photography, artwork, layout, and preparation of the copy for publication, supervise activities of subordinates, and review the copy submitted by authors, staff or faculty members.  Their responsibilities are to write materials and place an emphasis on eliminating ambiguity, ensure the publication and production of a variety of materials, edit material for accuracy, style and readability, write articles and work in conjunction with other writers, assign stories and prepare news, develop and maintain new outlets for publication, solicit bids and maintain a working relationship with outside vendors, oversee the distribution of the publication, develop and produce web-based materials, possess knowledge of supervisory principles and publication technology, and be skilled in organizing work and meeting deadlines.

Electrical engineers evaluates electrical systems, products, components, and applications to help inform their design, development, and test procedures for electrical devices and equipment. They are involced in the development and manufacturing process to produce the completed devices of which their electrical systems are an integral part of making the devices function.

A graduate student intern job role is a great opportunity for current students to gain meaningful experience in their field of study. Graduate student interns typically work closely with professionals in the industry, providing support and assistance with research, data analysis, project management, administrative tasks and other related duties. Interns often have the chance to attend meetings and conferences or participate in professional development activities that give them insight into the day-to-day operations of an organization. This type of position also allows graduates to network with peers in their chosen field as well as build relationships within the company they are working for.

Nelson shares his journey as a master’s student in microbiology, explaining why he chose this path toward earning a PhD and becoming a professor. He discusses his daily lab experiences and the pros and cons of grad school, offering valuable tips for anyone considering a master's program, regardless of their background or age.

<h2>Why I Chose a Master’s Program</h2><p>I'm a master's student in a microbiology program. I chose to become a master's student because I would like to go on to earn my PhD and then become a professor so that I can teach and conduct my own research.&nbsp;</p><h2>Master’s Student Job Requirements</h2><p>Job requirements for a master's student are generally just a bachelor's degree. If you have previous experience working in a lab or doing research of your own, that's obviously helpful but is not necessary. There are plenty of master's programs you can get into without having any previous research experience.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><h2>Average Day of a Master’s Student</h2><p>The average day in the life of a grad student is coming into the lab, working all day, doing your research, have either meetings sometimes or a lot of times you'll be working as a teaching assistant. So every once in a while you'll be teaching. Most master's students will be taking some classes, especially in the earlier semesters, so you'll still be having to go to some classes. But otherwise you're really just trying to spend as much time as you can getting your research done.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><h2>Master’s Student Pros</h2><p>Generally you get to do what you're interested in. You get to lead your own research, do stuff that you find fun and engaging. I personally really like teaching, so getting the opportunity to be a teaching assistant is really great for me and I love that.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><h2>Master’s Student Cons</h2><p>The salary is not great. You do have to budget quite a bit, especially if you're on a higher cost of living city. It's a lot of work. You're expected to do a lot of stuff on your own. It can be a big jump from an undergraduate degree where you're mostly just taking classes and you might do a little bit of research on the side. A master's degree is all research, a couple classes just to get your credits so you can graduate.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><h2>Tips on Becoming a Master’s Student</h2><p>I would say just find something you're interested in and start searching up schools and professors that are doing research in that subject. Most professors are very open to being reached out by potential master's students. You do not have to be coming straight out of your bachelor's degree to go into a master's program. There are many people in my lab who have joined the master's program at later points in their life and they are just as successful as people coming straight from the bachelor's degree. In many cases more successful because they have a bit more experience. So don't let that discourage you. If you want to get a master's degree but you think you're a bit too old for it, you're never too old to go back to school.</p><p><br></p>

Hardware engineers develop, design, install and test hardware components for computer, electronics and electrical systems or devices.  Their responsibilities may include designing and testing computer hardware components, analyzing test data, eliminating errors, repairing hardware components, modifying or upgrading existing hardware, installing devices, managing servers, and designing hardware for other electrical devices. Hardware engineers also work in laboratory settings researching and developing processors, circuitry and network hardware.

An Intern helps a company with work in order to gain experience and skills in a specific area.  Their role is working closely with different team members to learn more about the company and industry.  Their responsibilities are to perform tasks set out by supervisors, attend meetings and take minutes, perform research at a supervisor's request, update social media platforms, and write copy and create images for social media posts.

The Machine Operator works with heavy tools as well as computer-operated or mechanical equipment.  Their role is to assist with fixing and maintaining equipment by performing periodic tests and repairs, and operate the equipment to help in plant processes.  Their responsibilities are making sure machine parts meet specifications, calibrating machines to ensure tasks are completed correctly, reading blueprints, and following company safety rules and regulations.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for providing oversight and governance to the organization. They are responsible for setting policy, approving budgets and resources, monitoring performance, ensuring legal compliance, and evaluating organizational effectiveness. Additionally, they support the executive director in developing strategies to meet goals and objectives while upholding the organization’s mission.

A Stocker maintains and stocks product displays for an organization.  Their role is to ensure products are properly rotated, organized, stocked, labeled and clean, verify correct product counts for each package, and complete tasks like loading, unloading, sorting, picking, stocking, staging, fabrication and transportation of goods.  Their responsibilities are to assist customers with queries, create attractive displays for goods, label items with prices, pack items, receive goods for the store, and identify items with marking codes, prices and stock numbers.

A teacher (also called a school teacher or, in some contexts, an educator) is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.
 Informally the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. when showing a colleague how to perform a specific task). 
 In some countries, teaching young people of school age may be carried out in an informal setting, such as within the family (homeschooling), rather than in a formal setting such as a school or college. 
 Some other professions may involve a significant amount of teaching (e.g. youth worker, pastor).
 In most countries, formal teaching of students is usually carried out by paid professional teachers. This article focuses on those who are employed, as their main role, to teach others in a formal education context, such as at a school or other place of initial formal education or training.

This teacher, is creating a fun teaching environment that he didn't get in his early education. It was the inspiration of one of his own teachers who shaped him in to who he is today. This teacher has the profound opportunity to inspire, empower, and shape the future leaders of tomorrow. 

<h2><strong>Why I Choose Teaching</strong></h2><p>I hated school with a passion. Teachers were mean to me. Then junior year of high school, I was in a class, an American history class, and the teacher of that class was also a track coach and ended up loving running and ended up starting to like school because this teacher just brought it alive and was really passionate about it. And I could tell and made me want to learn more and more. So after my junior year, instead of Ds, Cs, Ds and Fs, I was getting As and As, which was wonderful. And I never thought I'd go to college, but I ended up going to junior college to complete, continue running. And then after that, I had all these units and got transfer agreements to a university. And in that university, I ended up finding out that I loved kids and I loved teaching kids and being with kids and watching them learn and grow and just having a good laugh every day. And I just reflected back, said, you know, I'm going to make school fun and exciting for kids in a way that was not for me.</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Early Career Tips</strong></h2><p>Make sure that you set aside money for retirement every month starting from the beginning, even if it's just a little. I know you don't make as much in the beginning as a veteran long term teacher, but it's really important to be prepared for the end of your career, even though you're just starting. Don't date anyone at work. It's the worst thing. It bites in the butt every time and from personal experience. Ask for help whenever you need it. Make sure that you get in good with your team, your grade level team, and always be nice. The custodian and the staff that work in the office, they work really hard and they pretty much run the school.</p><p><br></p><h2><strong>Teaching Requirements</strong></h2><p>You have to obviously have a bachelor's, some sorts of people now have a master's education and then you have to have a teaching credential program. Most universities have them. You have to get fingerprinted, you have to have TB tests. You have to have to have kind of a general like of children, you know, and kind of just asking for education and wanting to pass on your filters of life and how you see the world onto your own mind and what you need to be seeing.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

Computer Engineer Career Path