What is an Engineer?
Introduction
Marc Rouleau, PE
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Bachelors degree in electrical engineering and
masters degree in civil engineering
Licensed professional engineer in electrical
engineering
Tom Conrecode, PE
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Bachelors degree in civil engineering
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
Siege towers are perfected
 Greeks develop manufacturing
 Archimedes introduces mathematics in Greece
 Concrete is used for
arched bridges, roads and
aqueducts in Rome
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History of Engineering
A.D. 1 – 1400
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Chinese further develop the study of mathematics
Cotton and silk are manufactured
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
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First toilet is invented in England
Otto von Guerick shows the existence of a vacuum
Issac Newton constructs first reflecting telescopes
Boyle’s Gas Law, stating pressure varies inversely with
volume, is first introduced
Society of Engineers, a professional engineering society,
is formed in London
History of Engineering
What are engineers working on today?
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Alpine Mega Tunnel – a 95 mile tunnel through the Swiss
Alps – the longest tunnel in the world
Perdido Spar (Shell Oil) – worlds deepest oil well.
Located in more than 9,000 feet of water, 2 miles off the
coast of Texas
Battery technology – working to create faster charging
and longer lasting batteries
What is the Difference Between
a Scientist and an Engineer?
Scientist:
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Develops knowledge from
analysis and study
Characteristic activity:
research
Work in fields such as:
Engineer:
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A practitioner of science is a
scientist
Obtained from Wikipedia under science and engineering
Characteristic activity: creative
design
Work in disciplines such as:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
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Uses knowledge of math and
science to create something new
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A practitioner of engineering is
an engineer
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
Work with electricity, electromagnetic fields, and light
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Design products such as cell phones, computers,
antennas, televisions, and appliances
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Design power generation and distribution systems
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Mechanical Engineers
Work with machines and systems that
involve the production and use of heat
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Design cars, heating and air conditioning systems,
and manufacturing systems
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Biomedical Engineers
Work with the mechanical and chemical
properties of the human body
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Design prosthetic devices and medical diagnostic systems
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Engineering Disciplines
Civil Engineers
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Work with physics and materials
Design buildings, roads, bridges, storm water systems
Chemical Engineers
Work with physics, chemistry and biology
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Design medicines, fertilizers, semiconductors, food
additives (such as flavorings)
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Aerospace Engineers
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Work with aerodynamics, propulsion and navigation
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:
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Microsoft
Apple
Hewlett Packard
AT&T
Ford Motor Company
NASA
Florida Power and Light
Army Corps of Engineers
Who Hires Engineers?
The Less Obvious:
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CIA - Uses engineers not for design, but for their
analytical minds
Many Branches of the Federal Government
Disaster response teams – provide on-site
engineering support
Structural inspection
Disaster recovery strategies
Who Hires Engineers?
The Less Obvious:
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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
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Great variety in your work
You get to build or improve things
You get to use your creative ideas to solve problems
You get to work on a team
Lots of Job Opportunities
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Engineers are in high demand
There are more engineering jobs than engineers
Your Education Continues
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You will need to continue studying to remain relevant
Why be an Engineer?
Earning Potential
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Engineers earn one of the highest salaries of any
career with a 4 or 5-year degree
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
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Middle and High School
Do well in your math classes – this is the foundation of your
engineering education!!
Prepare yourself for college:
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Algebra I & II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus
Chemistry
Physics
Computer Programming
Advanced placement classes are ideal
How do you become an Engineer?
EDUCATION
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College
Most engineering degrees are completed in 4-5 years
Attend a school that is Accredited by Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology (ABET)!
 Assures graduates from the program are prepared for
graduate school and the workforce
 Degrees from non-accredited schools will preclude
licensure
 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!
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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:
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Complete obtain a bachelors degree in engineering from an ABET
accredited college
Work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years
Pass two intensive competency exams
Earn a license from their state's licensure board.
Any QUESTIONS?