The collapse of a bridge in Washington, DC and the a condominium in Surfside, Florida offered me a new perspective in the importance of the engineering profession. As I begin to prepare for state licensure, I could not help but think about how people within the profession view this position of trust: "Always have a job"; "The headhunters will find you"; "The paper looks good on the wall". Now, engineering for some time has been regarded as the most "9-to-5" learned profession, not the type to throw lavish parties for clients, or work overtime. A select few study research and development from the laboratories of universities, and put it into their practice; continuous professional development is often overlooked. Most, though, prefer work-life balance.
Nor does industry wish for engineering to be a cohesive, comprehensive profession. Architectural and engineering review requirements are being waived on larger and larger building projects, and licensure is generally not required when working on industrial design projects. Builders and manufacturers, in theory, then take on extra responsibility and liability to increase their profit a tiny bit. Thus, everyone is an "engineer" until nobody knows who an engineer is. In contrast, the medical profession has taught the public how to differentiate between a "Medical Doctor" and a "Doctor of Nursing". As a major infrastructure renewal bill nears approval in Congress, it's time for engineers to remember what the profession is about: to ensure public safety in the built environment.
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