ENGINEERING: A Dying Profession?

By: Fintan Lynch, BE., M.IEI.

President Obama in his inaugural address said, “We will restore science to its rightful place”. He does not mention Engineering on which the economy depends. Maybe he is unaware of the difference between Scientists and Engineers. In these specialised times, Engineers are not Scientists and vice versa unless they have the necessary qualifications. Engineering Science ( Engology ) is not pure science but applied science and it is well defined. Engineers sent men to the moon and they design the modern technical devices that everyone now takes for granted, and still there is ignorance of their function in society. In general, it is Scientists, Experts and Designers who get the credit for engineering achievements. When the highest man in the land does not recognize or appreciate a profession that is fundamental to the prosperity of his country and indeed the world, what chance has the profession of survival? When he bought his new iPod, did he think of who might have designed it or does he take these matters for granted?

We all know that nowadays - corporate interests dominate the Media, with the result that the Engineering Profession must flex its muscles if it wants the interests of the Profession put into the public domain. The only interest the corporate have in Engineers is their brains! Engineering is losing its identity, rapidly, by the fact that it is being absorbed into and classified as Technology. Technology, if we are to be correct, is the realm of Technologists and not Engineers. Are the Engineer-societies doing enough to counteract this trend? I do not think so. Their PR machine is very ineffective. I do not know what PR methods are used but they need to be revised as Engineering is being transformed into Technology under our eyes by the public media, with the result that Engineers are not getting credit for their achievements. We need a new PR strategy urgently. Just sending a Press Release to Media outlets is not enough. What we need is for each Engineer-society or a group of societies to have an influential freelance Journalist on a retainer who would belong to an international network. In addition, the societies internationally should be sharing important information related to the profession for maximum effect. We should be thinking * internationally * and we should have an international media co-ordinator. Engineers also, who facilitate the operation of the electronic Media, should use their influence and assist in the campaign.

Very few Engineers, let alone the public, outside the U.S. have ever heard of the Charles Stark Draper $500,000 Engineering Prize, which rarely gets a noteworthy mention in the Media, even though it is one of the world's preeminent awards for engineering achievement. If it is an International Prize as suggested, why not call it the International Draper Prize, so that it could get international exposure. The Charles Stark Draper Prize honours an engineer whose accomplishment has significantly impacted society by improving the quality of life, providing the ability to live freely and comfortably, and/or permitting the access to information. Engineers design the electronic media network, but despite this, the profession is bereft of appropriate publicity for its noteworthy activities, achievements, and awards. If Engineers do not get credit for their achievements, how can they attract young talent into the profession, successfully?

Being retired, I have the luxury of being able to see daytime television with all the chat shows and news bulletins!  Rarely do they mention Engineering, except when it refers to services and maintenance. They now even talk about road technology and building technology, which of course is engineering!

I notice that with all the chat shows Journalists are now the experts on technology, as they call it, and all other topics! They are overpowering the electronic media to their advantage. Why are Engineers not making themselves available for interview in the media on engineering matters? It could prove to be a cheap and effective way of promoting the profession.  In addition, Engineers should use their influence in the electronic media to their advantage. It could help greatly to protect the future of our profession.

Engineers Week, school activities, and other ventures are excellent but they will not address the above-mentioned problem.

We need to take some strong action, immediately, to counteract the engineering to technology trend if we are to survive as a strong and achieving profession, as we may be approaching the point of no return.