Choosing embedded systems as a career is, off-course, an exciting journey to have. However, it may be a horrible mistake as well.
The good side
The field is a sum of many other fields like electronics, software development, computer science and sometimes mechanical engineering. The knowledge needed to develop an embedded product is the knowledge of the application in which this product is to be used. Hence, the number of fields involved in embedded systems is as many different fields are targeted. It’s great to learn about new fields and things related to them, especially, when somebody is tired of doing similar work for months and years. The reward is excellent; and the most valuable reward is the feeling when a designer sees a product working in his hand after so many weeks, months or even years of hard work.
The bad side
Like any other field, this field has its own draw backs. Number one, it is extremely demanding, oh, oh, every field is demanding if you do it honestly, you say. Yes, I am not saying that every other field is very easy and that the people designing embedded systems are super-intelligent or they are the chosen one. The thing is that it cannot be defined and confined to a single or may be two genres of knowledge, rather, in almost every single new product, a set of knowledge is required to come to the customer requirement and every time a new horizon is open to explore. Most people disguise it to be merely electronics engineering. For instance you are an electronics engineer and happened to be in this field. You will need to write C code for microcontrollers which is normally called firmware, have to work with VB, VC# etc. for host applications. Meanwhile PCB designing may also be your job. Off course, every electronic circuit needs an enclosure, so you have to design or, at least, draft the casing and get it made from someone else. Though, choosing readymade enclosure and designing PCB according to it is also a good idea.
Social issues
It is very important for your family and friends to know that what the hell you are doing. Sometimes we cannot communicate them that what the hell are we doing. Even engineers in the developed countries face similar problem (but may not that severely). It is common trend now the graduates from developing countries come to this filed. For them, it is more difficult to cope with the situation.
How to survive
The question is how to survive in such a tight environment? How to deal with increasingly demanding situation, the pressure of delivering early, learn new architectures and tools? There is no simple answer. Every expert will tell you a new set of techniques to develop. In the end there is only one answer, work hard!
The boss dilemma
Often manager want the job to be done as soon as possible so that they can encash the customer. Though encashing the customer on time is very important to run any kind of business, setting unrealistic timelines make developers’ lives miserable and it also disappoints customers when they don’t get the product upon promised time. This situation is worst when your boss is not from your field as he does not understand the difficulties in doing the job. So it is better educating your boss for time to time.
Conclusion
Working in the field of embedded systems needs enthusiasm, zeal and total commitment. The progress is totally based on one’s own interest. If you are ready to work hard then come into it, otherwise, don’t think to make your life a hell.
