Electrical engineers work with electricity in its many forms - from the electrons to the large scale magnetic fields. In addition to designing new products, they construct, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment. Some specialize in electronics, others in even more specific areas, like space communications or industrial robotics.

• Invent better MRI scanners, allowing doctors to see even more clearly inside a patient’s body
   
• Create special effects for the movies
   
• Design cell phones that work more reliably and have more features
   
• Develop artificial retinas for the blind
   
• Work on satellite communications systems that connect people around the world

Electrical engineers need a bachelor's degree. While some have degrees in advanced physics or electronics, most have electrical engineering degrees.

Electrical engineers usually work 40-hour weeks, but can work longer hours on projects with pressing deadlines or in emergency situations. They often work on teams with other engineers and scientists and can find jobs in industry, government, universities, or in consulting.

The starting salary for an electrical engineer (2007):

B.S. degree
$55,292

M.S. degree
$66,309

Ph.D.
$75,982