Electrical and electronic engineering and robotics hero image
Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an electrical and electronic engineering degree, and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.
We encourage you to:
  • undertake career planning and research
  • build your networks, meet employees and graduates
  • gain essential work experience during your course
  • attend career fairs and events
  • continually develop your skills and knowledge
  • get involved with relevant clubs and societies
  • visit the Careers Service for advice.

Knowledge and skills

Your degree will develop your subject-specific knowledge in areas such as electrical and electronics, power, communications and microprocessors. A strong emphasis on learning by doing means that you will spend a good deal of your time engaged in individual and group project work and in the laboratory. In addition to your specialist skills and knowledge, you will therefore develop valuable transferrable skills including:
  • complex problem-solving skills and an innovative but methodical approach
  • pragmatism and practicality to turn a concept into reality
  • effective written and verbal communication skills as a result of writing technical reports and presenting to diverse audiences which range from fellow students to industry professionals
  • time management and an ability to prioritise and plan work effectively within the laboratory and when managing an engineering project from its inception to the final realisation
  • a professional approach and ability to work to an ethical code of conduct.

Career options

Researching your career options
To find out more about your career options both Prospects and TargetJobs can provide you with initial information to help you get started with your research. Both of these careers sites are updated regularly and provide unbiased information and advice for students and graduates as well as the latest graduate job vacancies. You could start by exploring:
Sector-specific careers information and job vacancies
In addition to the broad information provided by Prospects, you could also go into a little more detail using these more subject-specific sites:
Equality and diversity in engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduates are in high demand in a range of industries including (but not limited to):
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Defence
  • Electronics
  • IT industry
  • Manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods
  • Marine
  • Materials and metals
  • Power generation
  • Rail
  • Utilities
The links below, provided by Prospects will give you an insight into just some of the occupations that you can consider with this versatile qualification.
Employment opportunities
Below is a snapshot of what some University of Plymouth electrical and electronic engineering graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as stepping stones to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.
  • Digital Electronics Design Engineer
  • Graduate Antenna Engineer
  • Graduate Electrical Design Engineer
  • Group Head of Engineering and Quality
  • Project Leader
  • Research Engineer – Embedded Systems
  • Senior Robotics Technician
  • Test Equipment Design Engineer
Employers
  • Babcock International
  • Collins Aerospace
  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
  • Dyson
  • Hoare Lea
  • KPMG
  • Leonardo UK
  • M Subs Ltd
  • Marlborough Communications Ltd
  • Network Rail
  • RINA
  • Synopsys
  • Three (H3G)
  • Valeport
  • Vanilla Electronics
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Further study

Should you find that you need or want to continue your studies to postgraduate level, the University of Plymouth offers postgraduate study options that might be of interest to you, depending on your interests, development needs and career aspirations:
The following websites provide an excellent starting point for your exploration but you may also find it helpful to talk through your options with a Careers Consultant who can also support you with the application process.
It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options .

Careers service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier; come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources . There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.
Our bite-sized Accelerate workshops can give your career the boost it needs and topics include:
  • effective career planning
  • job hunting techniques
  • finding part-time work
  • CVs and interviews
  • mastering LinkedIn.
Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.
  • search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
  • select ‘Alumni’
  • filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.
For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops .

Other advice and guidance

Work experience
Work experience will provide a major boost to your employability when you graduate as well as giving you a real insight into what to expect from different occupations and industries. You will develop your confidence and professional skills while meeting colleagues who may assist with your career development.
Many organisations offer placement years and shorter internships or you could work part-time around your studies or approach organisations speculatively directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Gradcracker advertises opportunities with larger organisations and can give you an early indication idea of what might be available to you.
The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities and there are many organisations within the not-for-profit sector who could benefit from your skills and expertise and volunteering generally will help to build your employability skills, confidence and make a real impact on your CV.
Clubs and societies
Involvement with clubs and societies shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities to develop and try new experiences. These activities also help to improve teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Committee members develop organisational and diplomacy skills having gained experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion
You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to computing such as CompSoc or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons, develop new interests and build your confidence.
Tutor and academic support
Your tutors and other academic staff will also support your career development, having had experience in industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. They will also be writing references for you when you graduate so establishing a positive relationship with them is invaluable.
Student Hub

Where could your degree subject take you?

Architecture and built environment
Biological sciences
Business, economics, management, marketing, accounting and finance, and maritime and logistics
Chemistry
Computing
Creative arts: art, illustration and photography
Design: interior/product and furniture design, graphic design and game arts/digital design
Earth, geography and environment
Education and teaching
Engineering
Hospitality, tourism and events management
Humanities: anthropology, art history, English and history
Law, criminology and policing
Marine
Mathematical sciences
Media and filmmaking
Medicine, dentistry and biomedical sciences
Music
Nursing, midwifery and allied health professions
Performing arts: acting, drama and musical theatre
Psychology
Sociology, international relations and politics