Yes, you’ve read that right. Just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean the end of opportunities for new or recently out of work electrical engineers. Households, industries, and transportation still need the expertise of electrical engineers and other kinds of engineers.
With the transition to virtual setup, there is a need to maintain electrical systems to keep businesses running. Enter the online electrical engineering job. Once thought to be impossible, electrical jobs from home are now becoming the norm as a means for electrical engineers to continue working and for clients to receive their services.
But wait, isn’t electrical engineering a more hands-on job? You know, like designing and maintaining electrical systems? True, but travelling right now is both dangerous and difficult. Forgetting your insulated gloves is the least of your worries with the lockdown and new virus variants.
Electrical Engineers earn roughly 20,000 PHP to 60,000 PHP per month, depending on their skill level.
If you’re interested in trying out being a virtual electrical engineer, here are 7 crucial skills to being ahead of the competition in this online job.
Technical Skills
Electrical engineering is highly technical. It’s not something that you can do without proper training and expertise. After all, a small mistake might mean big emergencies for the end-users.
With this, you should be trained with technical skills to fully deliver the services required by your client.
Math Skills
Electrical engineering is highly reliant on mathematical equations. Basic equations from voltage and power up to complex ones involving derivatives. Math should be second nature to your craft.
From theorizing backed up with calculations, you can create systems that will be efficient and effective for your clients, even remotely.
Analytical Skills
You will face multiple problems that you need to solve as quickly as possible when you work as an electrical engineer. You should have the analytical skills to discern possible problems, depending on the current data.
And if currently happening, you should be able to troubleshoot to keep operations running. After all, a few minutes of downtime may mean thousands of dollars lost for the company.
Computer Skills
It’s more challenging to apply your skills now, as you can’t physically be present on site. Still, you’re not without tools to help you with your new work environment.
There are several online electrical design tools available for you to use to make your work a lot easier. These tools allow you to make your designs digitally and send them to your clients immediately.
Because you’re now a virtual electrical engineer, most of your work will now be designing and developing your clients’ electrical systems. You might need to use programming languages such as Python and C++. And even go back to your trusty Matlab for computations.
You should have these computer skills to assist you in delivering the output required by your client.
Documentation
After applying processes or fixes, you should have the documentation skills to pass on instruction to your staff or management. There will be times when you are not available when an emergency happens. Your documentation of protocols will help with the continuity of operations just in case.
And for records purposes, your documentation should be easily understandable for your client’s consumption.
Collaboration Skills
Most engineering jobs require more people to collaborate. It might be from the same field. Or even outside your departments like marketing and inventory.
You should have the collaboration skills to encapsulate all the ideas and needs of your teammates. With that, you can apply it to the tasks at hand.
Continue Honing Your Skills
With modern technology, advancements in science and engineering are rapidly evolving. Innovations are here to stay. The question is, can you keep up?
You should keep honing your skills and upskill, if necessary. You can join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or discuss in Quora specializing in your field. Or maybe follow thought leaders
Conclusion
Now that you know how to become a sought-after online electrical engineer, the next step is to practice them. With this, you are sure to be ahead of your competition. If you’re looking for opportunities in this field, check this link for more information. Cheers!
