Electronics Technician

Are you fascinated by the inner workings of your favorite technological devices? Are you interested in doing hands-on work that combines your skills with your passion? Then you may be well-suited to a career as an electronics technician. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that this is a steady field, and that many graduates with a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology are well-equipped to secure employment in entry-level positions.

What is an Electronics Technician?

An electronics technician is a professional that works side-by-side with electrical engineers. Together, they work to develop electrical technology and electronic devices. Electronics technicians play a critical role during the design development process and may have the opportunity to work on a variety of different types of systems, including computers, medical technology and navigation equipment. In addition to assisting during the development process, an electronics technician also may work to test, evaluate and adapt a device or help to manufacture a particular product.

Job Responsibilities of an Electronics Technician

Electronics technicians may have a wide variety of responsibilities depending on where they work. These may include:

• Evaluate and assess electronic components of the devices that are being designed by electrical engineers.
• Troubleshoot and repair electronic devices when needed.
• Install new equipment.
• Test existing equipment and identify any issues. (Repair testing equipment when needed.)
• Design prototypes of electronics systems.
• Evaluate the designs of an electrical system, and offer solutions for any issues that are identified.
• Perform preventative maintenance on electric systems.
• Perform quality control on electrical designs that have been submitted—make recommendations for improvements when necessary.
• Create manuals for electronic devices and systems.
• Test electronic systems and maintain reports on those systems.
• Draft sketches and diagrams for electronics systems—write specifications as needed.

Career Outlook for Electronics Technician

Those who are interested in pursuing a career as an electronics technician will have a promising career path ahead of them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently more than 130,000 people working as electronics technicians in the country. This job field is expected to remain steady. It requires little-to-no work-related experience, and anyone who has the right educational credentials will be qualified to work as an electronics technician. In the next decade, the job field is expected to grow by about 200 jobs. However, experienced professionals will be also retiring in that time, and those jobs will need to be filled by the next wave of educated graduates. All of which means that now is the right time to consider pursuing a degree that can point you in the right direction. The Bryant & Stratton College Electronic Engineering Technology bachelor's degree program may be the best place to start.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology?

If you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology, you will find that there are many different types of career opportunities available to you. This degree program will provide you with the comprehensive knowledge that you need to work in the electronic engineering field while also giving you plenty of hands-on learning opportunities that specifically focus on skill development.

With an emphasis on skills-based learning and a focus on 21st century jobs, this degree program uniquely prepares students for a career in the electronic engineering field. Graduates of this program can effectively identify issues with electronic systems as well as create innovative solutions for those issues, and they also are able to design and implement electronic components that will help their organization achieve its overall goal.

Given the wide set of skills that our electronic engineering technology students graduate with, they are able to enter into the professional world knowing there are plenty of opportunities available to them in their chosen field.

Additional Training/Requirements

Graduates of the electronic engineering technology bachelor's degree program who want to become an electronics technician will be pleased to know that there are minimal additional training requirements to work in this field.

Most electronics technician positions are entry-level positions, and they do not require job applicants to have previously worked in the field. This position typically requires applicants to have completed a related degree program. Most people who are hired to work as an electronics technician receive any additional training that they may need while on the job.

The electronic engineering technology bachelor's degree program prepares students better than most other similar degree programs because it combines skills-based learning with traditional coursework. Graduates of this program have the hands-on skills needed in order to complete their job every day, all while being armed with the knowledge needed to offer innovative insight and solutions when necessary.

Employment Settings for Electronics Technicians

One of the most unique aspects of the electronics technicians career field is that these professionals can work in a variety of different professional settings. This is one reason that this job opportunity is so appealing to recent graduates, because they can often find a position that suits their own personality, style and needs.

These are a few employment settings for electronics technicians:

• Manufacturing Facilities—Electronics technicians work in manufacturing facilities in order to oversee the production process of electronic equipment. They may troubleshoot and make repairs on devices as needed.
• Research laboratories—Electronics technicians work in the research and development facilities in order to test and evaluate electronics equipment. They may be responsible for collecting data and maintaining reports.

Most electronics technicians are full-time employees, and they can expect to work at least 40 hours per week. The job schedule may vary based on the individual position and where it is based out of.

If you think a career as an Electronics Technician may be right for you, you can find more detailed information on this field by visiting the Technology section of our blog. There you'll find further career insights to help you plan your career path into the world of technology.