The field of engineering has diverse career options and specialties. As technology advances, new specializations continue to emerge in order to develop ways to engineer new products that improve our lives. Two popular types of engineering are mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

Many have asked if the world will be needing only one of them, who will it be? Before we dig in into that question, let’s take review of them side by side.

Like many other engineering occupations, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers have very similar core duties, but they design and build different types of products. Electrical engineers deal with the manufacture of electrical equipment, communication systems, and navigation systems, in addition to designing electrical systems in vehicles. Mechanical engineering is a broad area in which engineers work on sensors, engines, tools and various types of machines.

Electrical Engineers

In order to pursue a career as an electrical engineer it’s necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Employers prefer applicants who have practical experience, so graduating from a program with an internship may improve job prospects. Electrical engineers usually work in an office, although some travel may be required to oversee the installation of equipment. Electrical engineers work with navigational systems and other types of electrical equipment. The cars people drive and aircraft people fly function because of the work electrical engineers do to produce effective electrical systems in vehicles.

Job responsibilities of an electrical engineer include:

• Establishing production and installation guidelines
• Working closely with project managers to stay within budget
• Ensuring safety regulations are followed
• Writing documents about how to operate or install equipment

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers study systems and objects in action. To do this, they need to learn about inertia, force, movement, materials, and more. In order to know the best and most efficient ways to do their jobs, mechanical engineers also need to stay up to date on technology. Many times, mechanical engineers will have some kind of specialty, such as:

• Robotics
• Construction
• Automotive
• Medical

So who’s superior?

They’re really too different to claim one is necessarily better than the other.

Despite the fact that both degrees have the term “engineering” in them, and have some of the same coursework, the prospects after graduating are quite different.

Mechanical Engineering is essentially the “default” engineering major. This means that if somebody just wants a generic engineer, they will likely list “Mechanical Engineering” as one of the desired degrees.

So basically, if you want to be an “engineer” as people imagined engineering 30 years ago, Mechanical is a fine choice.

Electrical Engineering is very different. Electrical Engineering is the engineering major for everything that’s gained prominence over the past 30 years. Anything to do with energy or computers will lean heavily on Electrical Engineers. Almost more importantly, you are seen as at least somewhat competent at programming. Which opens up a ton of other options.

So which is better?

It really depends on whether you want to engineer the real world, or the virtual one.

One important caveat to the above. There are almost equal research opportunities for  both electrical engineers and mechanical engineers.

As far as choosing electrical vs mechanical – that’s something only you can decide.