How Important Is Programming To Electrical Engineering?

I'm wondering if I should extend my stay an extra semeter and minor in Computer Science. The EE program at the university that I attend only requires the basic 101 programming class (if/for/when statements, loops). Do I need to know more than that in order to function well in the industry?

How Important Is Programming To Electrical Engineering?
Depends on what field you will work in. If you will be doing any sort of circuit board work when you get out in the world, getting that minor would probably give you a good foundation to build on.





We're using TI processors and Altera FPGAs and I'm sitting here wishing I had picked up some more programming when I was in school back in the day.





If you have the time and money it will probably help you in the long run. Go for it.
Reply:Probably not. But I would be inclined to go for it anyway. Your career path may change unexpectedly.
Reply:I have a Master's degree in EE and have been working in the field for 20+ yrs. I took a programming class long time ago, but I happen to work in Analog field, so I have never applied those skills. So, to answer your question, if you are going to be a digital designer I would most certainly recommend taking a programming class or two. If you are going to be an analog engineer (like me), I would still recommed it although not as strongly.
Reply:I know EE grads that turned into system network administrators ("network babysitters").





Personally, that would be a nightmare. That's why I avoided programming as much as possible while getting my undergraduate and graduate degrees.





Now I'm a power protection engineer. There's a small amount of basic programming involved in setting relays, but that's about it.





I'd say forget the minor, nobody cares if you have a minor (though I have a history minor, heh). If something comes up that you need to know how to program in a certain language, you pick up an idiot guide at the bookstore and teach yourself.
Reply:programming is important to work in industry but i think programming is easy and interesting if you have logic.self learning itself might help.i feel u should take guidance from u'r lecturers or u'r computer science friends to know more.