OPPORTUNITIES OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING GRADUATES: PHILIPPINE SETTING

A Term Paper
Presented to
Prof. Gutierrez
Rizal Technological University

Joshua E. Sumanga
CEIT-05-201P
March 17, 2016

Opportunities of Electronics and Communication

Engineering Graduates: Philippine Setting

The Bachelor of Science in Electronics and

Communications Engineering (BS-ECE), also known
as Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering, is a 5year college program which focuses on the conceptualization,
design and development of electronic, computer and
communication products, systems, services and processes.

In comparison with BS Electrical Engineering, which deals with the

general aspect of design and development of electrical equipments, such
as power generators and electric motors, BS Electronics and
Communication Engineering is a branch of Electrical Engineering which
focuses on the study of design and development of Electronic equipments
such as semiconductors and transmitters to be use in distant
communications.

The BS ECE curriculum, built around a strong basic core of mathematics,

physics and engineering, provides teaching and training activities in the
classroom and in laboratory exercises. Subjects covered include
communications device and networks systems, audio and video
processing, radio and TV broadcasting, industrial electronics and

instrumentation, integrated circuits design and more. This theoretical

foundation is later practiced at on-the job training period to enhance the
students professional preparation.

Is Electronics and Communications Engineering a

profession?
Electronics and Communications Engineering is a profession. A graduate
of BS-ECE who passed the Electronic Engineering Licensure Examination
is called an Electronics and Communications Engineer.

What are the admission requirements for BS-ECE?

Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common
requirements:
**Must be a high school graduate.
Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend
Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational
Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities
only
offer selected courses for PEPT passers admission.
**Must pass the college entrance examination
**Must pass the interview conducted by the college / university admission
officer

**Medical laboratory results and health certificate

**Good Moral certificate from the previous school (sometimes from
enrollees Barangay)
**Some schools require particular rating in the National Secondary
Assessment Test (NSAT)
**Some schools require particular high school grade or gross point
average

What skills will help you succeed in this course?

Analytical skills identify and assess inefficiencies and problems in
software and hardware processes
Mathematical skills the ability to solve and use different computational
methods
Technical Skills the ability to accomplish mathematical, engineering,
scientific or computerrelated duties, as well as other specific tasks
English skills the ability to read, write and converse well in English is
essential, as most technical literature is in English.
Creativity ability to propose concepts and create prototype for
classroom presentation
Interpersonal skills will help you in studying together with classmates,
doing group assignments and forming connections with friends and
colleges.
Knowledge in computers is not a prerequisite for this course, but it helps
to be able to learn and operate computer applications.

How difficult is this course?

BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering is a difficult and
demanding course as it requires an innovative and logical mindset, and
the ability to constantly learn and apply new concepts and technologies.
Several subjects in this program deal with scientific computations and
analysis. Thesis, research and projects on recommended track electives
are required. However, the latter part of the curriculum is quite interesting
as it will be spent on telecommunication or a broadcasting company to
expose the students in actual areas of industries and provide them
hands-on practice.

How long does it take to complete BS in Electronics

and Communication Engineering in the Philippines?
Normally, the BS-ECE takes 5 years to complete. Schools which go by the
Trimester school calendar require less time to finish the course.

On The Job Training / Internship

As mandated by CHED (the official governing body of Higher Education
Institutions in the Philippines), on-the-job training (OJT) or practicum is
optional depending on the discretion of the institute providing the BS ECE
program (source ). Most Schools prefer to include OJT of about 360
hours in their curriculum to ensure the efficiency of students in this field.

During the onthejob training program, students are assigned to work at

a company, organization or a government agency that needs specified
ECE services. Programmers, data researchers, computer technicians and
web designers are always in demand for internships. An On-the-Job
Training (OJT) at television and radio Stations, telecommunication
companies, and companies that manufacture semiconductors and
biomedical products may also be facilitated by the school to provide
hands-on practice of the things learned under this course.

Specializations
Computer and Control System is the engineering discipline that
analyzes user requirements and the design of process and/or mechanica
l equipment to design automation systems that will cause the equipment to
function in the desired manner.

Mobile Communications Technology is an engineering field which

focuses on improving the functionality and reliability of mobile devices and
servers. The program teaches analog and digital electronics, computers
and networking, electronic and digital communications systems, and
mobile wireless communications systems and devices.

Network Administration concentrates on various aspects of network

hardware and software maintenance and monitoring, configuring and
supporting a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN),
Internet systems and segments of network systems

Robotics focuses on design and development of robots that can carry

out tasks in industrial plants, medical facilities, or battlefields.

The Board Exam

An Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate need to take
the Electronic Engineering Licensure Examination before he/she can
practice as an Electronics and Communications Engineer. The
examination is conducted by the Board of Electronic Engineering under
the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It is
scheduled twice a year in the months of April and October. The main
subjects of the ECE Board exam are Mathematics, Electronics
Engineering, General Engineering and Applied Sciences (GEAS) and
Electronics Systems and Technologies.

After graduation, students have 5-6 months review time before the
October exam. Those who completed the course on irregular timeframe
typically choose the April examination date. Review programs are usually
provided for by the school. However, some students decide on enrolling at
specialized review centers.

Passing rates for the Electronic Engineering Board

Examination
Overall Passing Rates

Exam Date

Passing
Rate

October 2015

39%

1,78
4

o
f

4,46
7

September
2015 (abroad)

16%

12

o
f

73

April 2015

34%

892

o
f

2,55
2

October
2014 (abroad)

10%

o
f

73

September 2014

31%

1,53
2

o
f

4,85
1

March 2014

35%

907

o
f

2,57
4

December 2013

34%

1,70
7

o
f

4,94
7

April 2013

37%

1,17
7

o
f

3,16
3

October 2012

51%

2,50
8

o
f

4,86
3

passing rates by
schools

passing rates by
schools

April 2012

53%

1,43
9

o
f

2,68
7

December
2011 (abroad)

8%

o
f

45

October 2011

36%

1,68
4

o
f

4,56
8

April 2011

44%

1,17
0

o
f

2,60
2

November 2010

21%

1,02
6

o
f

4,71
5

November
2010 (abroad)

23%

16

o
f

67

April 2010

27%

632

o
f

2,34
0

October 2009

26%

1,13
1

o
f

4,32
2

March 2009

24%

598

o
f

2,47
2

October 2008

36%

1,51
4

o
f

4,17
4

March 2008

35%

823

o
f

2,30
0

November 2007

30%

1,25
7

o
f

4,18
2

April 2007

35%

889

o
f

2,53
4

November 2006

36%

1,63
1

o
f

4,51
3

April 2006

33%

807

o
f

2,39
9

Passing Rates by Region

Region

Passing Rate

(first timers only)

ARMM

66%

32

of

48

Soccsksargen

44%

212

of

472

Western Visayas

41%

696

of

1,671

Metro Manila

39%

4,433

of

11,359

Northern Mindanao

38%

322

of

845

Zamboanga Peninsula

36%

89

of

244

Davao

34%

271

of

781

Calabarzon

34%

1,456

of

4,241

Cordillera Administrative Region

33%

430

of

1,276

Bicol Region

31%

292

of

919

Central Luzon

30%

939

of

3,097

Central Visayas

29%

510

of

1,758

Cagayan Valley

29%

255

of

869

Eastern Visayas

25%

96

of

374

Mimaropa

23%

36

of

151

Caraga

18%

38

of

204

Ilocos Region

17%

160

of

930

Career opportunities for BS-ECE graduates

Entry Level jobs

jobs designated for recent board passers who have no prior experience:

Electrical and electronics installers install, repair, or replace a variety

of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and
other industries.

Technical support engineer Experience in installation, maintenance

and repair of telecommunication radio portables, single channel, pagers,
mobile radio and telephone network is an advantage.

Telecommunications Field Service Engineer Troubleshoot and repair

full line of power equipments. Perform preventive maintenance routines
and identify power plant discrepancies

Junior Program Analyst Composes draft in a variety of electronic

formats for delivery via presentation, electronic broadcast, or submission
to senior authorities.

Mid-Level Positions
Require trainings and prior job experience of a few years:

Telecommunications Engineer designs and oversee the installation of

telecommunications equipment or facilities at telecommunication
companies (e.g. PLDT/Digitel).

Broadcast Engineer oversee the transmission of signals and the

automation of broadcast programs usually at TV or radio stations.

Computer Systems Engineer work out specific computer systems that

match the companys operational needs in a particular field.

Optics Engineer work by developing imaging tools and consumer

mechanics where they design and develop devices and gadgets like TVs,
computers, mobile phones
.

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer Provide primary control

system hardware/software support, instrumentation, and process
engineering /optimization to a variety of field

Biomedical Engineer tasked with designing and developing electronic

medical equipment

Optical Networks Technical Marketing Engineer applies

optoelectronic engineering test principles and concepts to the
development efforts of serial and parallel optical modules in the high
speed areas.

Satellite Communications Engineer provides oversight to help design

and develop satellite network. This includes designing satellite network
updates, monitoring system performance and diagnosing and fixing
network problems.

 Advanced Positions
Require years of extensive experience and practice:
Senior Telecommunications Engineer Provide technical expertise
for design, implementation, coordination, and operation of a
Telecommunications system

Telecommunications Project Engineer Ensure Engineering activities

are prioritized in accordance with the Scope of Work and the approved
Project schedule

Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer Senior

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Senior Manufacturing Engineer develops, implements and maintains

world class manufacturing methods, processes and operations for new
and existing products to assure the highest level of customer satisfaction
and to meet the profitability objectives of the company

Systems and Storage Administrator perform reporting, analysis,

monitoring, and troubleshooting using tools such as Operating System
utilities and hardware diagnostic utilities.

Academician faculty members, instructors, and professors in an

institution that provides Electronics and Communication Engineering

education.

Jobs for Non Board Passers

Engineering Technicians help engineers design and develop
computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices,
navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment.

Electronics Technicians performs minor troubleshooting if board is

not functioning properly after assembly of hardware. Assemble hardware
on printed circuit boards and complete system builds

o Jobs not related to BS-ECE that graduates can

apply to
Call center agent answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and
provides customer support, usually to people from other countries

Administrative Staff personnel responsible for the organization and

management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office
secretary, personal assistant and office clerk

Freelancer working online doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as
data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support
etc., which mainly depends on your skills

o Career Opportunities Abroad

There are job opportunities abroad for Filipinos in fields of
Telecommunication and Electronics.
Graduates of BS in Electronics and Communication Engineering from
the Philippines are sought after in countries such as Malaysia, Korea,
Singapore and Gulf countries like Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia).

o Salary Levels
In the Philippines, the salary range of entry level jobs for freshly
graduate Electronics/Communication Engineers is about php7,000 to
14,000 per month while more experienced engineers can earn 22,000
to php39,000per month. (based on data gathered from
JobStreet.com.ph for Electronics Engineering job).

Salaries for those who work abroad are generally much higher.