Careers in Electronics: Electronics Technician
While electrical engineers design circuitry, electronics
technicians make certain that it works. If something goes wrong with a circuit,
technicians act like investigators, isolating the problem and coming up with
solutions. That usually calls for working with the engineer who made it to make
changes and testing it over again to make sure it's operating properly. Technicians likewise design circuit
prototypes- using either actual materials or a computer model-to test, out the
design. They meet with customers to talk about their needs, and if the design
does not include all the customer's product demands, the technicians will
either make alterations themselves or instruct the engineers on what's
necessary. Helping a product move from a computer design to the real stuff is
one of the rewards of being an electronics technician. Since technology is always
changing, so is the work, making no two projects the same.
The expected annual salaries start in the low- to
mid-$49,000 range. With a few years of experience, electronics technicians can
earn $68,000 or more a year.
Good prospects for this job include the government, which
has traditionally employed a huge number of electronics technicians, but has
been cutting down demands for this expertise in recent years due to a decrease
in weapons contracts. Demand in the private sector, nevertheless, is
increasing. The ever-growing semiconductor industry, for instance, employs a
large number of technicians.
The minimum qualification is a two-year associate's degree
in an area like electrical engineering technology. Computer programming and
troubleshooting skills are also essential. Some companies prefer these with a
few years of experience, while others hire employees right out of school.
You have to posses some characteristics like being organized
and able to meet tight deadlines. You will also need to have a heavy interest
in electronics and in making things work.