What’s in a
name?
I recently came across an article that was titled, “The Physicist
as a Quality Engineer”. The author, a physicist, describes himself as the
secret engineer. I was astonished to find that he has held many job titles such
as mechanical design engineer, software developer, reliability engineer and
manufacturing engineer. To have someone not “trained” in the field called an
engineer is a lie.
Engineering is one of few career paths that is actually considered
a profession. Like with any profession we engineers adhere to a code of ethics
and regulations that we must follow. Can someone with no training in the field
be expected to know all that we must stand for? The answer is no.
While some training can be gained on the job, the
fundamentals are not there. The application of the title is often too liberally
given out. This job title entails too many assumptions that make the
undeserving holder of this title a liar. Too often do we walk into an establishment
with a janitorial engineer. A janitorial engineer? What discipline does that
stem off of? The basic fundamentals of my discipline are lost.
The engineering degree is beginning to become tainted. Anyone
can earn the title without the actual work for it. There should be a clearer
definition of this field. We become engineers by choice not by chance. The effect
that this can have on the public’s view can become detrimental to this profession.
The connotation of engineering can be forever changed.The author of this article argues that while some schools my offer a quality engineering degree it is actually unnecessary. He prefers the the on the job training. Learning how to work something and learning why it works are two different things. I do not discredit his degree in physics or doubt his ability to comprehend quality principles; but to hold a title that was not earned seems a little wrong to me.
Much can be said for other professions. I doubt any doctor would be thrilled to be interchangeable with a medicine man from a third world country. The basis of healing may be there but the background knowledge is not. The quality of care would be lacking. Paying for a medicine man what we pay for a doctor who has gone through all the schooling would seem ridiculous.
All I ask for is the same sympathy that would be given to a doctor in this situation.
If jobs have become that cross functional we should be
defining the descriptions of new ones instead of tacking on random titles. The
idea of having and accreditation board for any engineering discipline is to
provide the graduating students with the sufficient skills and knowledge to
allow them to contribute to the public welfare. I doubt all of the work that is
being given by ABET is pointless. If there is a road to becoming an engineer easier
than the one I am taking, please show me the way.
The perception of our chosen career path is at stake. Is the
public being deceived or is this just the product of the vague definition of
engineering? How can we call our profession by a word that coming to mean nothing?
Abdi Erbob
ReplyDeleteI think the way this person represented himself would not benefit for his employment or his employee if he lying about education. Normally, in an engineering position, a degree is necessary, and mostly, work experience that that can be verified. But you might be not surprised in certain circumstances when you find that qualified engineers are sometimes working under managers who don’t have engineering degrees but management degree or experience in field.
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ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting point that you pointed out. Many people do acquire different titles to make their resumes look more professional or more diverse. The titles that they include as their professions are not always true as you pointed out because of the fact that they have no prior training in the titles they have chosen to associate themselves with on their resumes. Do you have any idea of how to make this stop?
ReplyDeleteLaura article that you are ethically analyzing is very interesting, and the points you bring up I could not agree with more. As a mechanical engineering student this idea that people are falsely identifying themselves as engineers is very frustrating to me. Each engineering profession requires years of hard work and each engineering discipline abides by different ethical codes of conduct. The thought of someone not going through the proper schooling and then claiming themselves to be an engineer is scary.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of resumes there are separate sections for education and work experience for a reason. When one expresses there past work experience it should be given in terms of what they have done for, and with the company, not by providing made up job titles.
I hope this trend stops because engineering degrees require hard work and dedication, and should not just be made up or given out willy-nilly.