Employers

Many of the 130,500 electrical and electronics engineering technicians employed in the United States work in the computers, electronics, and communications fields. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the largest number of workers are based in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Virginia. There are positions available elsewhere, but many technicians relocate to work in these concentrated areas. Some electronics technicians are self-employed, some work for large corporations, and others work in government-related jobs.

Starting Out

Most schools provide job placement services to students completing their degree program. Many offer on-the-job training as a part of the program. An internship or other real-life experience is desirable but not necessary. Many companies have extensive on-site training programs.

Jobs can also be found through online employment sites, and classified ads in newspapers and trade journals. Some companies recruit new hires directly on campus. Government employment offices are also good sources when looking for job leads.

Microelectronics technicians who choose to continue their education can expect to increase their responsibilities and be eligible to advance to supervisory and managerial positions.

Microelectronics technicians may also desire to enter other, more demanding areas of microelectronics, such as semiconductor development and engineering. Additional education may be necessary; engineers will be required to hold at least a four-year degree in electronics engineering.

Earning certification from the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians may be part of the requirement for advancement in certain companies.

Read publications such as The High-Tech News (https://www.eta-i.org/high_tech_news.html) to learn more about the field. Additionally, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers publishes more than 75 journals and periodicals about electrical and electronics engineering and related topics. Visit https://www.ieee.org/publications/index.html for more information.

Visit the following Web sites for job listings: https://iscet-jobs.careerwebsite.com and https://jobs.ieee.org.

Become certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians and the Electronics Technicians Association International in order to show employers that you have met the highest standards established by your industry.