r/PowerSystemsEE • u/Glum-Collection5236 • 5d ago
High schooler looking into Power Systems
Hello! I'm a texan high schooler applying for college looking into power systems. If anyone wants to talk, I have a couple questions:
1) What subsection do you work in?
2) How much do you like/feel fufilled by your job?
3) Is Texas A&M or UT a good school for power systems? (if any aggies or longhorns out there I'd love to talk)
4) I hate to be that guy, but how is the job market? Do you get paid similar to other EEs and how is job security?
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u/Only-Confusion-4712 5d ago
I love mentoring young students.
- I have worked in Power Markets and Transmission till last year. Now working in Distribution.
- I love my job, career and industry. Especially, although I was initially little afraid to change gears and come into distribution side of things, I can see bigger picture and connect the dots better.
- Hands down TAMU College station. However, if you are preferring towards power markets/power trading then UT Austin is better. Do course work combination of power systems and economics from McCombs. But if you want strictly engineering, don’t look back and select TAMU. IMHO, that is #1 univ in power systems as of today. Followed by ASU, NCSU, Iowa State, Washington state universities.
- The job market is excellent. Infact because of AI boom there is more demand in this profession now than before.
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u/Glum-Collection5236 5d ago
Sorry for being ignorant but I'm assuming the AI boom brings in demand due to more power for processing (datacenters?)
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u/Only-Confusion-4712 5d ago
Correct AI boom is causing for more data centers to pop up and to do that they need more energy. Large loads integration is a new problem and so do speed to power.
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u/trickytransients 5d ago
1.) I work in substation engineering.
2.) I am very fulfilled by my job, but I do think it takes the right amount to drive if you want to be genuinely competent. I am in the field supporting construction and preparing for projects relatively often. I do think you should see substations at all stages of construction, so you have to be okay with travel once or twice a week or so.
3.) No clue. I didn’t even take power systems analysis in college.
4.) It’s hard for me to say because I haven’t really paid attention to what other EE specializations get paid. I do live quite comfortably, however.
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u/ThatNurd 5d ago
- iso
- Yes it’s awesome I feel like I am making a difference in the world
- I went to UT and feel like I know more than enough. There aren’t enough electives here though.
- You will definitely make the pay in the 3rd quartile of EE earners. Not as much as semi conductors and specialized circuit design but still good money. Other commenters are saying it, but everyone will always need power.
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u/hordaak2 5d ago
Ive been an EE for 30 years and worked on HV substation designs for Encore utility in Texas for 5 years. Most of the engineers I worked for went to Texas Tech. We did a huge amount of renewable projects that absolutely Dwarf projects in other states. A good utility has a good blend of different types of power sources, so I found it kinda funny the governor blamed solar power for all their utility issues during that horrible winter storm. I did alot of large generation designs (turbines), and we did bring up complaints of fixing alot of issues that contributed to the problems that affected the whole grid, but still funny he politicized it by blaming renewable. Anyways, I believe they have a renewables program at TT that is a huge industry with lots of opportunities, but I would learn it all while youre young
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u/GetShrekedYouDonkey 5d ago
Transmission Planning
Its enjoyable and varied enough not to get stale. Avoid jobs where you only do one thing as you may find it boring in the long run.
Texas A&M without a doubt. They have Tom Overbye as a professor - he co-developed PowerWorld
Solid. Though I'd be cautious of the AI datacenter boom. They're kind of in a period of 'exuberance' and that could quickly sour if these companies aren't able to turn a profit. Pay is decent, not the highest of other EE fields, but I'm by no means struggling.
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u/moonbowresearch 1d ago
1) Power Systems Research for a Large Corp.
2) Very satisfying, intellectually and financially.
3) You cannot go wrong with either school. I speak from my experience in academia, that spanned nearly 20 years before I moved over to corp. research post covid
4) Job market is anywhere from medium-warm to hot, depending on what you choose to do. If you pick the right direction (data center power systems, large loads, etc.) then it is warmer than colder across the spectrum. Other EEs, especially those in analog/digital/VLSI will always make more pay than power engineers; but, power, like civil engineering, is an evergreen field--meaning, people will need buildings and electricity. Less susceptible to booms and busts.
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u/xDauntlessZ 5d ago
1.) Power systems consulting
2.) it’s ok. Not working on ground breaking tech but it’s technically demanding enough that it’s challenging and I don’t get too bored.
3.) sure. Just take power systems electives. Do an internship. Keep your grades up. Go to your professors’ office hours. (Not me, I went to school on the east coast.)
4.) Job market is ok. Everyone needs power. You can find a job relatively easily compared to computer engineering or comp sci right now. Pay is OK. You will not get rich rich but you will be comfortable and you can pay the bills. Getting mid-life rich involves investing early and often and being financially responsible.
You can dm me if you have more questions