Can someone provide some guidance for a college student earning an electrical engineering degree?

by Rain Rabbit

Question by drbubbles24: Can someone provide some guidance for a college student earning an electrical engineering degree?
I’m interested in using my degree in electrical engineering for the design and construction of assistive devices for deaf and hard-hearing or design and construction concerning architecture, theater technology, and similar. I want to possible do something involving music and entertainment. It may sound silly – maybe even something involving special effects/ testing – similar to the guys on the Discovery Channel Show – MythBusters. Any assistance, advice, or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Along with my engineering courses, I plan to take a theater course in lightning/scenic design. Anyway, please help!!!

Best answer:

Answer by fullbandwidth
It doesn’t sound silly at all, in fact I admire you for having such commitment. As the parent of a disabled person and an engineer, I believe there are far too few engineers focusing on the needs of the disabled.

I don’t know how close you are to finishing your degree, but if you still have some classes to take, I’d suggest an acoustics class (probably offered by the Physics department), and some digital signal processing classes (EE department). Stuff about industrial lighting, sound amplification, etc. may not be offered at your university, but you might find an online course, or a short course offered somewhere.

In terms of finding a job in those areas, I think you’ll have to scour a bit harder to find them. However, think about this – even if you don’t find that job when you first graduate, keep it in mind as a long-term career goal, and try and gather as much relevant knowledge at whatever job(s) you do take. For example, I worked in military active sonar systems for a few years, and learned a lot of acoustics and DSP.

You might also find blogs and forums for the deaf, and see if they have links or resources pages that would identify companies who work in the areas you describe. Galludet University in Washington DC is a deaf-specific school, so you may find faculty there who share your interests.

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