What is an Engineer?

Introduction
Marc Rouleau, PE

Bachelors degree in electrical engineering and

masters degree in civil engineering
Licensed professional engineer in electrical
engineering

Tom Conrecode, PE

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

History of Engineering
A.D. 1 1400

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

First toilet is invented in England

Otto von Guerick shows the existence of a vacuum
Issac Newton constructs first reflecting telescopes
Boyles 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?

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:

Develops knowledge from

analysis and study
Characteristic activity:
research
Work in fields such as:

Engineer:

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

Uses knowledge of math and

science to create something new

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

Design products such as cell phones, computers,

antennas, televisions, and appliances

Design power generation and distribution systems

Mechanical Engineers
Work with machines and systems that
involve the production and use of heat

Design cars, heating and air conditioning systems,

and manufacturing systems

Biomedical Engineers
Work with the mechanical and chemical
properties of the human body

Design prosthetic devices and medical diagnostic systems

Engineering Disciplines
Civil Engineers

Work with physics and materials

Design buildings, roads, bridges, storm water systems

Chemical Engineers
Work with physics, chemistry and biology

Design medicines, fertilizers, semiconductors, food

additives (such as flavorings)

Aerospace Engineers

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:

Microsoft
Apple
Hewlett Packard
AT&T
Ford Motor Company
NASA
Florida Power and Light
Army Corps of Engineers

Who Hires Engineers?

The Less Obvious:

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:

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 dont 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

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

Engineers are in high demand

There are more engineering jobs than engineers

Your Education Continues

You will need to continue studying to remain relevant

Why be an Engineer?
Earning Potential

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

Middle and High School

Do well in your math classes this is the foundation of your
engineering education!!
Prepare yourself for college:

Algebra I & II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus
Chemistry
Physics
Computer Programming
Advanced placement classes are ideal

How do you become an Engineer?

EDUCATION

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!

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 worldnot so fastfor 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:

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?