Thursday, 26 April 2007
Raising the Bar
One of my earlier blog entries prompted a response from a reader who hoped I would address some of the important issues facing the engineering field, among them, the economic status of engineers. As the reader's comment mentioned, in spite of the fact that most civil engineers are in charge of important projects affecting public health, safety, and welfare, our earnings are well below those of doctors and lawyers. What is the solution?
The way I see it, nothing that has been worthwhile in my life has necessarily been easy. If you want civil engineering to be easy, then it's not going to be highly valued. Extensive schooling in the law and medical professions may contribute to higher wages for graduates. ASCE's Policy 465 is doing a lot to raise the profile of civil engineers in the professional world by proposing higher academic requirements in order to obtain a degree and become certified. By raising the bar academically, we can raise the bar professionally. Often doctors and lawyers are seen as the epitome of excellence in our professional world. I believe that engineers are right up there with them as we bring some of the best and brightest young people into the working world. There is no reason why engineers can't be looked at in the same light and be compensated as such.
What are your thoughts on the economic status of engineers? How do you feel ASCE can help advance the profession?