Power Engineering vs Computer Engineering: Benefits Comparison

[rootX]

What are the benefits of this career (particularly in comparison to hardware/RF engineering career)?

I understand that engineers working in National (edit: provisional. I meant those government ones) power companies are paid good and the jobs are more stable/secure.

Currently, I am interested in computer engineering because there are more opportunities. Unlike power engineering, you have more options.

Looking at salary, security, opportunities, and future, how power engineering jobs (i.e. job in a national power company) are compared to other kind of computer engineering jobs?

 

[Astronuc]

With respect to power companies, it depends on the nation and economy.

Top US nuclear power generator Exelon cuts 500 jobs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090618/bs_afp/usnuclearcutscompanyexelon_20090618212622

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Exelon, the largest US operator of nuclear power plants, announced Thursday it was imposing 500 job cuts to cope with tough economic times.

The spending cuts will achieve about 350 million dollars in operations and maintenance savings in 2010, a nearly 3.5 percent reduction from 2009 levels, the Chicago-based company said in a statement.

"Included in the spending cuts will be the elimination of approximately 500 positions, mostly in corporate support functions," it said.

Some 400 job losses would be at corporate headquarters while 100 "management level positions" at Exelon's ComEd utility in Illinois will also be "eliminated."

Exelon and ComEd expect to complete most job reductions by August 31.

. . . .

With the economic downturn, utility companies try to eliminate jobs, which means those remaining have to do more work without an increase in salary, wages or benefits. Most people I know at utilities are overworked.