Mobile phone technology and broadcasting are just two of the sectors electronic or electrical engineer graduates can excel in

You may not recognise the names of all the world's most celebrated electrical engineers, but you'll certainly know about the inventions or projects they have bequeathed to society.

Pioneers such as Thomas Edison (pictured right), inventor of the record player and developer of the light bulb; Nikola Tesla, pioneer of electromagnetism and commercial electricity; Jack Kilby, inventor of the integrated circuit and the pocket calculator (and Nobel prize winner); Marcian Hoff, inventor of the microprocessor; or Martin Cooper, inventor of the mobile phone.

Whether it's communications or satellites, IT or energy, electrical and electronic engineers are at the forefront of the sectors that shape the ways we live.

What skills have you gained?

Electrical and electronic engineers are expected to make an efficient and useful contribution at work. It's not enough to rely on your technical expertise; employers will expect you to demonstrate a range of practical skills.

Apart from technical knowledge, you should have gained a variety of transferable skills through your degree programme, including how to use specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems; the ability to turn a concept into reality; effective communication; good teamworking; good project and time management; and a professional approach and ability to work to an ethical code of conduct.

What careers can you pursue?

"Pragmatic and practical are words that can be used to describe engineers in general, which make them useful people to have around in a number of different working environments," says Margaret Holbrough, careers adviser at Graduate Prospects. As well as having valuable technical knowledge, electrical and electronic engineering graduates are often creative problem solvers with high levels of IT expertise.

This combination of knowledge and skills leads to careers as professional chartered engineers in a range of sectors, including electronics, broadcasting, telecommunications, mobile technologies, power supply and distribution, instrumentation and control, construction, plus numerous manufacturing industries.

Electrical and electronic engineers are also valued in business and commerce, where their numeracy, teamworking, analytical and project management skills can be put to good use.

Postgraduate study?

Further qualifications may be necessary if you wish to work in certain specialised areas. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is a major source of funding for postgraduate studies in engineering and some may receive funding through industry.

Data supplied by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit and Graduate Prospects