What are possible specialities in power system engineering?

As a newly graduate with Power Engineering degree, what speciality in power systems should you focus on?

I will give you some insights, these inputs will help you decide in the type of learning course and projects you will pursue in power system speciality.

You have a couple of paths to take:

1. System Protection (relays and settings)

2. System Control (generator control, remedial action schemes, etc.)

3. System Design (create prints, bill of materials, etc.)

4. System Testing (in service testing and commissioning or equipment testing)

5. System Studies (powerflow, voltage and transient stability studies, planning, etc)

6. Project Engineer (a smarter PM)

What you do depends on what type of career you want. Every power system company has system protection, plenty of positions, and is an extremely deep topic so it is always a good choice.

Controls is very specific to a particular company so the skills aren’t always marketable to other companies but if you want to stay long term in one place this is a great path because they always need you.

Design is pretty much only contract work these days. You can work for a firm but you will get overworked and underpaid.

System testing is some of the most fun but you will have to travel 90% of the time which is a hard lifestyle but some people love it. Very nomadic. 

System studies is a good choice if you are computer inclined. You essentially need a good understanding of the power system and some computer science to be really successful. This path gets you into a lot more theoretical stuff and lots of companies are doing hybrid or full remote positions if that attracts you. 

Project engineers are in meetings all day. You lose a lot of the technical side but you get your face in front of management if you do a good job so it can help you move into management if that is your goal.