Electrical Engineering Technologist

The Technologist is required to perform creative mental tasks apart from applying advanced technology; this requires innovation and problem-solving within the context of the industrial process and its applications.

The tasks of the Electrical Engineering Technologist in the workplace could entail ...

• conceptualising
• project management and planning
• design, research and development
• measurement and testing
• production and maintenance
• teaching at Technikon or Technical College
• quality assurance
• management.

These tasks would be performed on the latest available technologies.

The Electrical Engineering Technologist as an ENTREPRENEUR

In the modern world Technologists are increasingly often becoming entrepreneurs - rather than obtaining permanent employment at an organisation. They act as CONSULTANTS to large corporations, municipalities, etc. The are so many avenues in which your OWN BUSINESS can succeed using Electrical Engineering as the basis.

Future prospects as an Electrical Engineering Technologist

With the many avenues of employment available to choose from Technologists have the opportunity of earning well. In big organisations very good packages are offered to Technologists which include above average salaries, company cars, housing benefits, etc.

When owning your own business, or consulting, or combining various types of jobs, you could make enough money to afford these luxuries yourself.

A career in Electrical Engineering not only provides great financial benefits, but immense job satisfaction is derived.

Many women, as well as men, enter the world of Electrical Engineering by becoming Technologists.

Education for Electrical Engineering Technologists

In order to become an Electrical Engineering Technologist you first need to obtain a general foundation by doing a three year National Diploma (N Dip) course at technikon. Thereafter you may continue your studies by completing the Bachelor's Degree in Technology (B Tech) and the related Master's (M Tech) and Doctorate (D Tech) degrees.

Technikons require their students to be exposed to "experiential training". This is an extension to the formal component of the tuition provided and may assume various forms with the object of exposing you to the work environment (ie ethos, organisation, demands, structures, etc) and/ or extending to you the opportunity for experiential performance within this environment. The object of experiential training is to guide the exploration of an occupation in order to allow you first-hand experience of the demands of the working environment.

You don't have to go to technikon immediately to become an Electrical Engineering Technologist. You can commence your studies at technical college and then move on to technikon to ultimately qualify as an Electrical Engineering Technologist.

After obtaining your B Tech (Eng) degree (or M Tech or D Tech) at technikon you need to have three years practical experience as a technologist-in-training to be able to register as a Professional Technologist. You can then write the letters PrTech behind your name. Read about the benefits of Professional Registration under that section in this book.

Technikon diploma and degree courses provide advanced education and training and combine theory and practical training. Emphasis is placed on the job-readiness of students.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement to study the N Dip and B Tech for Electrical Engineering is usually a Senior Certificate. Two of the subjects have to be Mathematics and Physical Science and one, Language.

Not all applicants wishing to enter technikon get accepted because space is limited. To give you a better chance to be successful at obtaining technikon entry ensure that your marks are at least a C symbol. This will also make it easier for you to obtain financial assistance for your studies.

Some technikons may also have other entry requirements. ENSURE THAT YOU FIND OUT WHAT THESE ARE BEFORE YOU APPLY.