Additional Information
Radio frequency engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical
engineering, and some have a master's in engineering. RF engineering is a
specialty area within electrical engineering.
Some engineering programs include co-ops. These are work placements and
can be a great way to get practical experience during your degree. They can
often lead to a job upon graduation, also. Engineering teams at companies
often have people with bachelor's and master's level training working together.
"Most have BSEE (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering)," says
RF engineer Vivian Lund. "I have MSEE (Master of Science)."
"In my personal opinion, I think... a master's degree is increasingly
expected," says Derek McNamara. He teaches RF engineering at a university
and has worked in industry doing RF engineering.
"[I]f you have a kind of a hands-on person solving practical problems most
of the time... then the bachelor's degree plus some experience [is probably]
satisfactory," says McNamara. "But if there's a lot of innovation needed on
the RF side, typically they would put the people who have got the master's
degree training along that side, because they would have just gone so much
further on the theoretical side."