Dear ECE undergraduate student:

One of the most interesting and educational (for me!) things I do is serve as the UAB BSEE program ABET (accreditation) coordinator. One of the things we do is survey the BSEE graduates 2-5 years after graduation to assess professional accomplishments. Results of our most recent survey are in, and I think it would be useful for you to see the following data about accomplishments of BSEE program graduates. The results are about the same as we have seen in past alumni surveys. I think these results should be very useful in shaping your perspective.

1. Over 95% of respondents have held engineering positions. Most respondents who indicate that they have not held engineering positions are in electrical and computer engineering graduate school at institutions including good schools like the University of Florida and University of Virginia. 

2. Over 85% have been promoted. 

3. Over 95% have had increased responsibility. 

4. Over 60% have led a team.     

5. Over 60% pursue a graduate degree (MS or PhD) or a professional degree (MD, DDS, JD, MBA, etc.) 

6. By the 5th year after graduation, over 60% are pursuing professional engineering licensure and over 60% have passed the FE (fundamentals of engineering) exam.

7. 100% reply that their undergraduate engineering education has been of value in their career.  

The percentages listed above increase with time after graduation. For example, respondents who have recently graduated may not have received a promotion,  but by the time they have been out 5 years, it becomes very likely that they have received a promotion.   

8. Some responses to the question ‘What elements of your undergraduate education most enhanced your professional success?’: 

•        The technical report writing required during my undergraduate education has made a tremendous impact in my professional career.  This process provided me with the ability to clearly state my findings during development projects and aided in the writing test procedures to validate system functionality.  

•        Theoretical background from BSEE degree is useful in my current research career. 

•        Results oriented attitudes from some of my professors that seemed "harsh" in school have actually paid off in my professional career. 

•        Math intensive classes such as DSP and Communications. 

•        Logic and black-box problem solving have been instrumental in my career. Course electives exposed the integration of engineering in modern and future technology. 

•        Working in groups 

•        Ability to problem solve

 •      Circuit Fundamentals, Labs, Digital Logic

 •      Basics in electricity and power are useful as a foundation for the work I do every day. In addition, I learned how to learn new material in my time at UAB.

 •      Ability to look at problems from several different angles.

In summary, the overall survey results indicate that BSEE program graduates hold engineering positions, get promoted, see increased levels of responsibility, lead teams, pursue graduate or professional degrees, pursue licensure, pass the FE exam, and have the opinion that their undergraduate engineering education has been of value in their career. 

Interestingly enough, hardly any survey respondents complain about program difficulty, irrelevance of teaching methods or courses, etc or offer negative comments; we do receive some well thought out suggestions that we try to put into practice.

 We hope that you will graduate from the BSEE program and meet the same success 2-5 years after your graduation.

 Regards,

 Dr Jannett