MASc EE graduate seeking career advice

[beauch10]

Hello everyone,

I am an upcoming MASc graduate from the University of Toronto specializing in Control Systems.
Although my background is in control, I have a solid foundation in both digital
and analog electronics. Therefore, I don't want to restrict myself to applying to
only control-related jobs. I have the following questions:

1) How is the job market right now for control systems engineers?

2) What has the best job prospects right now in electronics for fresh graduates?
(e.g. ASIC design, ASIC verification, FPGA design, analog IC design)

3) Am I at a major disadvantage when applying to entry-level analog/digital
jobs given that my specialization is in control systems?

Best regards,
Dan

 

[cl10greg]

I can try to speak to the US since I am still fairly new to the market (about 4 years in).

1) How is the job market right now for control systems engineers?

Firstly, what is your definition of a control systems engineer? I am picturing either embedded or PLC but depending on job descriptions it varies. Both are still very good especially for the automotive industry. You can write embedded software and algorithms for integrated controllers, like brake modules, or you can control the manufacturing process with the PLCs. I always see job openings for this in Michigan.

2) What has the best job prospects right now in electronics for fresh graduates?
(e.g. ASIC design, ASIC verification, FPGA design, analog IC design)

Well all the prospects really like experience first. If you are lacking that you're not going to have a great time job hunting (I hope you do, I didn't). You maybe stuck into contracting to get your feet on the ground and work up from there. Best prospects, in terms of availability, I would say...quality, testing, or hardware. Those seem to be the places that people start at when coming out of college.

3) Am I at a major disadvantage when applying to entry-level analog/digital
jobs given that my specialization is in control systems?

Companies are pretty flexible now a days. As long as you can stick out from the crowd, have some confidence, and just be resourceful you should be able to land the job you want.

Just my insights.

 

[beauch10]

Thanks for the informative response! What exactly did you mean by "hardware"? I thought that was a broad term that encapsulated the other things I mentioned (i.e. ASIC, FPGA, and VLSI jobs). Perhaps I will apply to "embedded firmware" positions as well. PLCs don't really seem to appeal to me.

 

[cl10greg]

Hardware engineer, as in component selection and system integration. I meant more of a system approach. Embedded is a great path that can open up a lot of doors in a lot of industries, please have the option to do consulting is a bonus if you felt like you liked that path.