Recently, the demand for electrical and electronics engineers has been growing rapidly, and over the next five years, more than 2,000 additional jobs will be created for them in Lithuania alone. While some high school graduates interested in electronics worry about their grades in exact sciences—especially mathematics—the lecturers at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Electronics (EF) reassure them: these are not the most important things for career success here.
According to Prof. Dr. Vaidotas Barzdenas, Head of the Department of Computer and Communication Technologies at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Electronics, it’s impossible to imagine today’s world without electronics engineering. It plays a crucial role in almost every area of life—from medicine, the transport sector, to industry and daily life.
“Electronics is vital for the world’s technological progress, economic and social development,” says Prof. Dr. V. Barzdenas, adding that this is exactly why specialists in this field are so in demand. “For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2033, the number of jobs for them will grow by as much as 9%. In Europe, the shortage of these engineers is particularly acute: in Germany alone, about 20,000 electrical and electronics engineers are lacking every year.”
Importantly, electrical and electronics engineers not only contribute to a more convenient life but also open doors to a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future. In today’s complex geopolitical situation, electronics is becoming highly significant for national security, defense, and energy sustainability.
“Electronics is used to develop modern surveillance, communication, navigation, and unmanned systems that are fundamentally changing the nature of modern conflicts and defense strategies. It’s also used in managing electronic intelligence equipment and automated weapon systems. VILNIUS TECH researchers and students are actively contributing to the development of these modern electronics solutions,” says the professor.
Myths That Don’t Match Reality
Although the importance of electronics is undeniable and the career prospects are huge, many young people are still limited by various assumptions or widespread myths. One of the main ones is that electronics is very difficult and “definitely not for me,” especially if math or physics didn’t go well at school.
“At first glance, this might seem true because this field covers knowledge of mathematics, computer science, physics, and even chemistry. However, all of this is gradually learned at university—what matters most is having motivation and engineering curiosity. I often say that both artists and engineers are creators; it’s just that the latter need ‘a bit’ of exact sciences,” says the professor from the Faculty of Electronics.
Moreover, it’s often thought that electronics and IT are completely separate fields, even though they are closely connected and complement each other.
“In order for an electronic device to work, firmware must be installed, and for it to be controlled, software for a computer or smart device is needed. So, today’s electronics engineers are capable not only of creating physical devices but also of ‘bringing them to life’ through programming,” says Prof. Dr. V. Barzdenas.
Another common but outdated stereotype is that electronics is only for boys, and that girls neither have the abilities nor the interest in technology. In reality, it’s completely different: currently, girls make up about 20% of the students at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Electronics, and this number is gradually increasing.
“They actively participate in projects, develop advanced technological solutions, and are increasingly taking on leadership roles in high-tech companies. Girls often have qualities that are very important in this field—attention to detail, precision, observance, and a responsible approach to studies and work, which can even make them superior,” says the professor, adding that since electronics requires creativity and intellect, not physical strength, it’s also well-suited for people with mobility disabilities.
Another persistent myth is that all electronics are made in China and that smaller countries like Lithuania have nothing to offer in the technology sector. However, many innovative and internationally recognized electronics companies operate in Lithuania, actively collaborating with universities, including VILNIUS TECH, jointly shaping new generations of specialists capable of creating world-class technologies in Lithuania.
School Grades Don’t Decide Anything
The fact that desire, curiosity, and motivation are the most important factors for achieving career heights in electronics is perfectly illustrated by the story of Dr. Karolis Kiela, Technical Director at Lime Microsystems, VILNIUS TECH alumnus, and associate professor. Having felt drawn to electronics since childhood, he purposefully chose this field, even though one of the key subjects—mathematics—wasn’t exactly easy for him.
“I did well in physics at school, but I didn’t ace the math exam—I probably got around 45 points. Still, I don’t think school grades matter much or should determine your study choice: they are just the result of one maturity stage, and at university, a new stage begins where you start with a clean slate and often find more motivation to learn. So, electronics shouldn’t be scary—if you’re interested in it, you should go for it,” says Dr. Kiela.
The specialist adds that university achievements mostly depend on personal effort. While still studying for his bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering, he worked as a technician in the VILNIUS TECH laboratory, continuing during his master’s studies. Later, thanks to his lecturer, he found a job at Lime Microsystems, where he still works successfully today.
“My career has been closely tied to academic progress—both there and here, I climbed step by step: in my studies, from bachelor’s student to PhD, at the university, from assistant, lecturer to associate professor, and at the company, from engineer to technical director. These areas complemented each other very successfully,” affirms the VILNIUS TECH alumnus.
Understanding Electronics—An Advantage
Lime Microsystems, where Dr. Kiela currently works, is one of the few companies in Lithuania that does almost everything—it designs and produces software-controlled chips, integrated circuits, boards, and other high-quality technological products used in telecommunications, defense, and even space.
However, this is just one of the many fields that electronics engineering graduates can go into. Their career opportunities are exceptionally broad, and the fact that they understand technology better than specialists from other fields gives them a unique advantage.
“To understand how the modern world works, you need to understand electronics. It unlocks a broader understanding of how modern devices can be used and improved, which opens other doors—for example, enabling you to create your own product or business,” says the technical director of Lime Microsystems.
Choosing electronics engineering is also a safe bet because career opportunities in this field are not limited even by the rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI), which some professionals see as a serious competitor or threat.
“Current trends show that electronics engineering is still immune to artificial intelligence. AI cannot create originality, and that’s exactly what electronics requires—every project is original. I think no tools will appear anytime soon that could replace electronics engineers, so their demand and value will only grow exponentially,” says Dr. Kiela.
Prof. Dr. V. Barzdenas adds that without electronics engineering, artificial intelligence would remain just an idea because it needs not only a “mind” but also a physical “body,” meaning specially designed electronic systems: “AI algorithms require fast calculations, large data flows, and energy efficiency, and this is only possible using advanced neural processors, specialized chips, and hardware platforms, which are precisely what electronics engineers create.”
Studies at VILNIUS TECH—An Opportunity to Contribute to World-Changing Innovations
It’s clear that today’s electronics engineers are highly versatile and possess a broad and diverse range of competencies. All of this is provided to students at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Electronics—from theoretical knowledge to practical skills and international experience. The most talented and active students have the opportunity to receive scholarships established by social partners, participate in exchanges and international summer schools, for example, in Taiwan, get involved in joint projects with foreign universities or businesses, or even contribute to research.
It’s also important that many EF lecturers work in the industry, conduct research, and create innovations both nationally and internationally, so they pass on not only academic but also practical knowledge relevant to today’s market.
“Graduates of the Faculty of Electronics can directly contribute their knowledge and skills to creating world-changing technologies and solving global problems. They gain a broad range of competencies—from micro- and nanoelectronics processes, chip design to artificial intelligence, wireless communication technologies, energy management, and cybersecurity. All these areas are the foundation of modern innovations, and the knowledge acquired will help contribute to building a safe, prosperous, and sustainable future,” says Prof. Dr. V. Barzdenas.
You can learn more about studies at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Electronics here.
