The future of the engineering profession: It's up to us

Engineers will play a crucial role in the future success of America - our ability to innovate and compete in the global technology market, as well as to sustain our quality of life. President Obama has talked about his commitment to science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in campaign speeches and interviews. Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times and best-selling author, for years has been promoting the need for a new generation of math, science and engineering students that will develop the tools and technology to deal with the demands of a rising population, increased energy consumption and climate change issues. Yet, most young people do not know enough about engineering to consider it as a possible career path. In capturing the best and the brightest students, engineering is losing out to business, law and medicine. Changing Perceptions is Key Why the continued lackluster interest in engineering as a profession? Much of the problem has to do with perception. According to a 2008 report published by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), K-12 teachers and students generally have a poor understanding of what engineers do, and limited efforts to change that have been narrowly focused at the high school level. Messages to younger students have primarily concentrated on math and science skills, with very little said of the creative aspects of the profession. To enhance interest, the NAE asserts, we must change the conversation and begin to present engineers as innovative, imaginative problem solvers. Supporting the NAE's report, a 2009 study conducted for Duke University found that the American public has little understanding of the world of engineers. Yet when people recognize that engineers are working to solve many of the challenges of our times - fighting disease, providing clean water, and supplying clean and affordable energy - their interest and respect for engineering grows dramatically. The Time is Right Fortunately, there are several factors at play in the current economic climate that may work in the engineering profession's favor. Among them: job opportunities and pay. In the past year, Forbes.com listed engineering as the hardest job to fill in America; U.S. News and World Report named engineering as one of the top 30 careers for 2009; and Payscale, an online salary, benefits and compensation information company, ranked engineering in the top 10 college majors that lead to high salaries. (In fact, seven of the top 10 majors were engineering specialties.) All of these rankings reinforce what we in the industry already know, but how do we get young people to take notice? And how will the public gain a better understanding of the role of the engineer in society? Whose responsibility is it to help change the image and communicate the appropriate messages? It's up to us—engineering professionals, engineering organizations and engineering companies across the country - to start the conversation and help bring about the necessary change in perception. ACEC New York - Setting an Example In New York State, groups such as The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) have already started taking the message to the public, with a concerted public relations effort to draw attention to the engineering profession and a successful advertising campaign aptly titled "Vision," executed in print and billboard ads that communicate the creative and dynamic aspects of engineering as well as its importance to our quality of life. The billboard was featured on the ABC Disney Jumbotron in Times Square during Engineers Week 2009- thanks to Siemens Corporation's generosity and mutual interest in promoting the engineering profession. Other tools created and distributed by ACEC New York include a career brochure geared to high school students and an award-winning CD-Rom, "Consulting Engineering: A Career that Matters," which focuses on young engineers and their real experiences working on exciting projects such as the MTA's East Side Access project and the Rion bridge in Greece. These are just some examples of what one association, with support from its member firms, has done to deliver a new message for the engineering community. Whether on a large budget or a limited one, every engineering firm and entity can contribute to the dialogue - in conversation, on a company website or as a member of a larger group or organization. National Engineers Week (eweek.org), held annually in mid-February, also offers an excellent opportunity for participation. In 2010, events and programs sponsored by various engineering organizations will be taking place throughout the country from February 15-21. As an industry, we need to come together in this effort and speak out in one voice - loud and clear - so that the American public recognizes and understands the need for engineers, the benefits of the profession, and above all, the innovative, creative and essential work of the industry. Rose Reichman and Nancy Coopersmith are principal and vice president, respectively, of Reichman Frankle Inc., an affiliate member of ACEC New York.