Wireless Technology Connects LA Engineers To Rapid Job Growth
With technical advances continuing to be made in cellular and Wi-Fi networking, job opportunities for versatile electrical and electronics engineers are projected to surge, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment growth is expected to be sparked by a widening number of companies that will further hire contract engineering services, rather than employ engineers directly.
In Los Angeles, where skillful engineers bring home yearly salaries that stretch well into the six figures, experts say wireless technology is an advantageous specialty to pursue.
"The thirst for reliable high fidelity data connectivity is seemingly unquenchable," said Babak Daneshrad, a professor of electrical engineering at UCLA. "As such, the industry will demand the brightest minds to address the ever-expanding markets that are served by wireless connectivity."
Daneshrad said a watershed of new wireless technologies has re-wired the existing job functions of electrical engineers.
"Wireless channels are much less forgiving and are highly dynamic," said Daneshrad, a McGill University alumnus who earned his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from UCLA. "This forces our engineers to think across disciplinary boundaries to address the problems at the source. It has forced the engineers to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving."
In what way is consumerism feeding the rapid pace of innovation and development?
"As our lives have become less and less tethered, consumers have become accustomed to the many benefits of ubiquitous connectivity, and continue to demand greater and greater amounts of data services from their wireless devices."
How has the growth pattern of wireless technology changed since 2010?
"The systems have become much more sophisticated and the exploitation of multi-antenna capabilities has mushroomed. The more complex systems now require a well-focused and disciplined team approach."
How does one plan for a career in wireless technology?
"The best way to prepare for a career in the field of wireless technology is to attend a good college. I also recommend that students take advantage of internship opportunities and seek out innovative startup companies that challenge one's thinking and problem-solving skills. It is an excellent career path, one that will continue to grow well into the future."
Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.
