How Do I Become an Electrical Designer?

Become an electrical designer through a combination of education and training in the field. A four-year degree is not always necessary for the job, but can help you gain an edge in the hiring process and in being promoted to a supervisor or manager position. Electrical designers need to have knowledge of electrical systems and technology in order to succeed at the position. Other helpful skills include being good at mathematics, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal relations.

A high school diploma and a two-year associate's degree from a technical school are helpful when looking to become an electrical designer. There are programs available at technical schools that can teach you the basics you need to know to do the job successfully. You will learn how to use computer programs to design electrical systems, such as computer-aided drafting and design, that create designs to work well in various spaces. A bachelor's degree is not required to become an electrical designer, but can be helpful when going through the job application process. Electrical engineering is the most common undergraduate degree for people who wish to do this job or advance in their careers in electrical design.

Certificate programs are offered at some institutions that allow you to gain further training and knowledge to become an electrical designer. This is good for an individual working in the field, perhaps as an electrician, who wishes to advance. This might provide enough training to be hired at certain companies.

Training is a requirement for most electrical designer positions and can be found during school or while working on-the-job. Some companies will hire individuals without any previous experience in order to train them on their methods and techniques, so look for this type of organization if you do not wish to attend technical school or college. If you attend school, consider looking for internship programs to help you learn and gain experience while you are a student.

If you enjoy mathematics and electrical systems, you should become an electrical designer, as the job entails working with schematics within buildings. You need to have this basic knowledge, along with an aptitude for working with your hands, to be good at the job. It is important to have solid communication skills, both written and verbal, to deal with supervisors and read schematics. You will be working closely with others so it is also necessary to have interpersonal skills that allow you to understand and relate.