What is an Engineer?

Introduction
Marc Rouleau, PE
n Bachelors degree in electrical engineering and
masters degree in civil engineering
n Licensed professional engineer in electrical
engineering
Tom Conrecode, PE
n Bachelors degree in civil engineering
n Licensed professional engineer in civil engineering
 What is Engineering
The profession in which math and science -
gained by study, experience, and practice - is
applied with judgment to develop ways to
economically use the materials and forces of
nature for the benefit of society.
 History of Engineering
Evidence that engineering was practiced more
than 4,500 years ago:
 History of Engineering
1200 B.C. – A.D. 1
n Siege towers are perfected
n Greeks develop manufacturing

n Archimedes introduces mathematics in Greece

n Concrete is used for

arched bridges, roads and

aqueducts in Rome
 History of Engineering
A.D. 1 – 1400
n Chinese further develop the study of mathematics
n Cotton and silk are manufactured
n Leonardo Fibinacci
Creates our decimal system (0,1,2,3,4…), replacing the Roman
numeral system (no zero, I, II, III, IV…).
Writes the first Western text on algebra
Creates the root symbol:
 History of Engineering
1400 - 1800
n First toilet is invented in England
n Otto von Guerick shows the existence of a vacuum
n Issac Newton constructs first reflecting telescopes
n Boyle’s Gas Law, stating pressure varies inversely with
volume, is first introduced
n Society of Engineers, a professional engineering society,
is formed in London
 History of Engineering
What are engineers working on today?
n Alpine Mega Tunnel – a 95 mile tunnel through the Swiss
Alps – the longest tunnel in the world
n Perdido Spar (Shell Oil) – worlds deepest oil well.
Located in more than 9,000 feet of water, 2 miles off the
coast of Texas
n Battery technology – working to create faster charging
and longer lasting batteries
 What is the Difference Between
a Scientist and an Engineer?
Scientist: Engineer:
n Develops knowledge from n Uses knowledge of math and
analysis and study science to create something new
n Characteristic activity: n Characteristic activity: creative
research design
n Work in fields such as: n Work in disciplines such as:
Biology Civil Engineering
Chemistry Mechanical Engineering
Physics Electrical Engineering

n A practitioner of science is a n A practitioner of engineering is

scientist an engineer

Obtained from Wikipedia under science and engineering

What is the Difference Between
a Scientist and an Engineer?
Scientists discover the world that exists;
engineers create the world that never was.”
-Theodore Von Karman, Aerospace Engineer
 Engineering Disciplines

Electrical Engineers
n Work with electricity, electromagnetic fields, and light
n Design products such as cell phones, computers,
antennas, televisions, and appliances
n Design power generation and distribution systems

Mechanical Engineers
n Work with machines and systems that
involve the production and use of heat
n Design cars, heating and air conditioning systems,
and manufacturing systems

Biomedical Engineers
n Work with the mechanical and chemical
properties of the human body
n Design prosthetic devices and medical diagnostic systems
 Engineering Disciplines

Civil Engineers
n Work with physics and materials
n Design buildings, roads, bridges, storm water systems

Chemical Engineers
n Work with physics, chemistry and biology
n Design medicines, fertilizers, semiconductors, food
additives (such as flavorings)

Aerospace Engineers
n Work with aerodynamics, propulsion and navigation
n Design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and rockets

There are many more disciplines!

Who is an Engineer?

Tom Scholz –
Founder and lead
singer of the band
Boston

Engineer?
Who is an Engineer?

Tom Scholz –
Founder and lead
singer of the band
Boston

Yes!
Graduated with a
Bachelors and
Masters degree in
mechanical
engineering from MIT.
Who is an Engineer?

Jimmy Carter - 39th

President

Engineer?
Who is an Engineer?

Jimmy Carter - 39th

President

Yes!
Graduated from the
Naval Academy with a
Bachelors Degree in
nuclear engineering.
Served on a submarine,
as a Navy Officer
operating the nuclear
power plant.
Who is an Engineer?

Cindy Crawford –
Model

Engineer?
Who is an Engineer?

Cindy Crawford -
Model

No!
Attended Northwestern
University to study
Chemical Engineering
on a scholarship. She
dropped out after one
semester.
Who is an Engineer?

Rowan Atkins – AKA

Mr. Bean – comedian

Engineer?
Who is an Engineer?

Rowan Atkins – AKA

Mr. Bean – comedian

Yes!
Graduated from
Newcastle University
with a Bachelors
Degree in electrical
engineering, then
obtained his Masters in
engineering from
Oxford.
Who is an Engineer?

Montel Williams – talk

show host

Engineer?
Who is an Engineer?

Montel Williams – talk

show host

Yes!
Graduated from the
Naval Academy in
1980 with a Bachelor of
Science in engineering.
Served 9 years as a
Navy Officer.
Engineers are Everywhere!
Orbiting in space
Designing bridges
Designing cars
Exploring the ocean
Creating soles for your sneakers
Developing your next favorite candy bar
They can be comedians, talk show hosts
and Presidents too!
 Who Hires Engineers?

The Obvious:
n Microsoft
n Apple
n Hewlett Packard
n AT&T
n Ford Motor Company
n NASA
n Florida Power and Light
n Army Corps of Engineers
 Who Hires Engineers?

The Less Obvious:

n CIA - Uses engineers not for design, but for their
analytical minds
n Many Branches of the Federal Government
n Disaster response teams – provide on-site
engineering support
Structural inspection
Disaster recovery strategies
 Who Hires Engineers?

The Less Obvious:

n Navy
Operate power plants on ships and submarines
Maintain military installations
Provide support during combat operations
 What does it take to be an Engineer?

You don’t have to be a genius to be

an Engineer…

People who become Engineers:

Are CURIOUS about how things work

Solve interesting life problems
Design and experiment
Calculate using math and science
Work with others as a team

Sound like you???

 Why be an Engineer?
Fun
n Great variety in your work
n You get to build or improve things
n You get to use your creative ideas to solve problems
n You get to work on a team

Lots of Job Opportunities

n Engineers are in high demand
n There are more engineering jobs than engineers

Your Education Continues

n You will need to continue studying to remain relevant
 Why be an Engineer?
Earning Potential
n Engineers earn one of the highest salaries of any
career with a 4 or 5-year degree
n From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012):

Occupation Average Salary

Electrical Engineer $87,920
Mechanical Engineer $80,580
Biomedical Engineer $86,960
Civil Engineer $79,340
Chemical Engineer $94,350
Aerospace Engineer $103,720
How do you become an Engineer?
EDUCATION
n Middle and High School
Do well in your math classes – this is the foundation of your
engineering education!!
Prepare yourself for college:
n Algebra I & II
n Geometry
n Trigonometry
n Calculus
n Chemistry
n Physics
n Computer Programming
n Advanced placement classes are ideal
How do you become an Engineer?
EDUCATION
n College
Most engineering degrees are completed in 4-5 years
Attend a school that is Accredited by Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET)!
n Assures graduates from the program are prepared for

graduate school and the workforce

n Degrees from non-accredited schools will preclude

licensure
n Most graduate programs require Bachelor degrees from

ABET schools
Join Engineering Honor Societies and participate
Work hard to obtain the highest Grade Point Average –
especially in your discipline!
There is no do-over to improve a low GPA
No one wants to hire a C student!
How do you become an Engineer?
STAY IN SCHOOL!
n If it was easy, everyone would be an engineer

DO WELL IN SCHOOL!

GRADUATE!
 How do you become an Engineer?
The next 3 years in high school and especially the
following 4-5 years in college drastically impact the quality
of your adult life!
You can play now…

…or play later

 Engineer Licensure
So you have an engineering degree and are ready to take
on the world…not so fast…for some disciplines you will
need a license!
Certain fields of engineering, especially those that put the
health and welfare of people at risk (civil and structural
engineers in particular), require licensure
To become licensed, engineers must:
n Complete obtain a bachelors degree in engineering from an ABET
accredited college
n Work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years
n Pass two intensive competency exams
n Earn a license from their state's licensure board.
Any QUESTIONS?