What do you do with a computer engineering degree?

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SUMMARY

Computer engineering graduates typically pursue careers that blend electrical engineering and computer science. Key roles include designing hardware components like CPUs and GPUs, as well as embedded software development, particularly in industries such as automotive. The distinction between making computers (creating components) and building computers (assembling parts) is crucial. While many computer engineers may start in generic IT positions, their skills are highly applicable to specialized fields like embedded systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hardware design and manufacturing processes
  • Familiarity with embedded systems programming
  • Knowledge of electrical engineering principles
  • Basic skills in computer science and software development
NEXT STEPS
  • Research embedded software development techniques and tools
  • Explore career opportunities in the automotive industry for computer engineers
  • Learn about hardware design using tools like CAD software
  • Investigate the differences between computer engineering and software engineering
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for computer engineering students, recent graduates, and professionals exploring career paths that leverage their skills in hardware and embedded systems.

tahayassen
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What are some example careers? What do you usually do? Hardware? Make computers?
 
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To my knowledge, hardware-oriented stuff like making CPUs and GPUs so yes, making computers. Just to be clear, making computers is not the same thing as building computers. Making computers means to build the parts whereas building computers is to assemble the parts like LEGO built by Computer Engineers. There is also a software component but to a lesser extend than Software Engineering. Computer Engineering resembles Electrical Engineering more than Software Engineering but is somewhere between the two (but closer to Electrical Engineering like I said).
 
Computer engineering is a mix of electrical engineering and computer science.

You can make computer components, but I think some of the more interesting jobs I've heard of out there are available to computer engineers are embedded software. Programming devices that use computer chips in some way (which is everything). Living in the Flint/Detroit area I've heard a lot about auto industry related positions where computer engineers can get jobs. Maybe not now, but I'm sure the skills for embedded software are transferrable.

Never actually worked them though. Most of what I've done are generic IT jobs.
 

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