Engineers, Design, and Society Presented by Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers 10 Post Office Square 8 th Floor South Boston, Massachusetts,

What Does an Engineer Do? Designs some stuff. Collects a paycheck. Has a family. Coaches baseball. Retires one day. Reads Dilbert comics.

What do they REALLY do? In todays society, the engineer is integral to progress. If you are only oiling the wheels of progress, maintaining the status quo, you are a technician. If you are thinking about how to make a better wheel, youre an engineer. The difference between the engineer and the scientist is we apply the knowledge of the theoretical uncovered by the scientist.

How much stuff do I have to learn? Actually, you never stop. Once you get through college, many professions employ their own specialized formulas and applications that you need to learn to be useful. A college degree tells employers that you are capable of learning and motivated enough to tackle difficult jobs. You arent really useful for about 6 months to 2 years once you begin your career.

If it is that difficult, why would anyone want to be an Engineer? To answer this lets look at some engineers who have made a difference: Edison Bell The Wright brothers George Westinghouse These men have changed the world and the way we live our lives.

How does Engineering compare to… A Doctor… 1. Has a Hippocratic Oath. 2. Is involved with health issues. 3. Spends years studying. 4. The State gives them a medical license if they can pass their board exam. 5. Can belong to a medical society. 6. Can add MD to their name. Professional Engineer 1. Upholds a code of ethics. 2. Is involved with design issues. 3. Spends years studying. 4. The State gives them an engineers license if they can pass the FE/PE exams. 5. Can belong to an engineering society. 6. Can add PE to their name. A Lawyer… 1.Upholds a code of ethics. 2.Is involved with legal issues. 3.Spends years studying. 4.The State gives them a license to practice law if they pass the bar exam. 5.Can belong to a legal society. 6.Can add Esq. to their name.

And the differences are… Doctors Can work on charity cases Open clinics in poor neighborhoods. Have an effective input into public policy. Lawyers Can do work pro bono. Open legal offices in poor neighborhoods. Espouse arguments regarding public policy.

Engineers, on the other hand… Since there is not seen the same compelling social need on the part of the indigent for design services, Engineers will work in other ways to have an effect: Spend years working on an idea on their own time. Design ways and means to make life better for all people. If the truth be known, the data needed to decide public policy was collected on a system designed by an engineer. Volunteer on projects whose goals include implementing technology.

An Engineer has an obligation to… Stay current in their field. Be aware of new developments. The effects and possible applications of new ideas. Share their knowledge. Serve on civic committees that can benefit from their specialized knowledge. Look for ways to apply their knowledge in new avenues.

What is your motivation to be an Engineer? I like to figure out how things work. Im intrigued by the computer. Im pretty good at math. I know an engineer and they seemed…. I have some ideas that might make a difference. Id like to try working on something to make life easier or better for people.

Suppose I want to become an Engineer? If you are in high school: Take every math and science course your school offers. If you are in college: Youll need to pick a major that will prepare you for a career in a field that best suits your interests.

Career Choices Here is a partial list: chemical, civil, environmental, electrical, mechanical, structural, agricultural, aeronautical/aerospace, fire protection, manufacturing, industrial, nuclear, petroleum and safety. If you are not sure, just major in general engineering. Once you graduate then you can think about…

How do I become a Professional Engineer? Its a two phase process involving education and experience. Each State has slightly different rules so check locally. If you have graduated (or are about to) from an undergraduate engineering program (or related sciences) at an ABET accredited college, your submission of a transcript enables you to take the FE exam. The experience is a reprisal with documentation and supervisor verification of your engineering work record for a minimum four-year period after the FE exam and before taking the Professional Engineers exam.

Becoming a Professional Engineer Register with the local registration board (or examination service) and complete an application. Take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE), an 8 hour test on general engineering topics. A recommended step is to next join your local State Society of Professional Engineers. Obtain 4 years of on-the-job training as an engineer. Take and pass the Professional Engineers exam, a second 8 hour exam geared to your specific field.

First Steps Here in Massachusetts for application processing, examination administration and score reporting of the engineering and land surveying examinations contact: Professional Credential Services, Inc. (PCS) at ENG-EXAM or Engineering Examination Services, a division of PCS, coordinates the examinations.

Important Dates Examination dates: October and April with applications due by March 1 st for the October exam and May 1 st for the April exam. The first time examination fee for either exam is $175.

The Board of Professional Registration PCS lets the Registration Board know you are eligible to take the exam, administers the exam, then notifies the Board if you passed the exam and the Board authorizes you the issuance of your license. Division of Professional Licensure 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710 Boston, Massachusetts Phone: (617) Fax: (617)

Motivation No one can say for sure what the future will bring nor what your contribution to the shape of that future will be. Why limit yourself to a short-sighted vision when you can aim for the stars. Would you rather be the bug or the windshield?

More Information Visit the National Society of Professional Engineers at Aptitude tests can help you decide on a career goal. Visit your local high school guidance counselor or Take some time, go sit under an apple tree and do a self- assessment of your life…you know where you are at, the question is: where do you want to go? Once thats finished, prioritize the list so you tackle the goals in order of their importance. A long range goal will involve many preparatory steps and a variety of paths. Enjoy!

Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers A member society of…