New Zealand Engineering 1999 June

Reflections

Five Reasons Why My Children Won't Be Engineers - And five reasons why they still could be...

You might think that my children would already have careers, and I would be talking about my grandchildren. But when my son who is in Year 9 asks me "What do you think I should be, dad?" I hesitate. A traditional father who is an engineer might encourage him to get an engineering degree, and personally invite him into the profession. Why do other options such as architecture, graphic design, or veterinary science seem better options to me right now?

In my opinion there are five main reasons against entering the engineering profession at present.

• Engineers still believe technology alone will save the world.

This is mistaken. Technology can often provide real benefits but more often it is a case of two steps forward, and one step back. Technology alone is not going to solve the larger problems such as fair distribution of wealth, the causes of conflicts in the world, or how to have a quality life. It is a tool, and should come with a health warning. Danger - technology can cause an excess of objectivity.

• The profession has lost its soul to the corporate world.

Engineers have become slaves to the corporations and their accountants, lawyers and managers. There is a trend to believe that the only solution is to become like them as well. But the way ahead is for engineers to reassert their independence, not accede to a role as a mere artisan or hired gun.

• The profession has abdicated from decision making.

It has lost an executive role on all but the most trivial issues. Even worse, it competes to be at the top table, solely as a provider of so-called objective information, rather than by right. Even then its recommendations are often ignored.

• Engineers are not valued by society.

As a result they are likely to be underpaid and unemployed. Witness the growing number of "members in financial difficulty" in bodies like IPENZ. Boosting the need for more engineers in the present climate, is only likely to result in more low paid technicians, not a realisation that wise engineers are essential to progress.

• Engineers as a group have yet to become broad or cultured.

Despite many individuals who are, announcing to a group of non-engineers that you are an engineer can still raise a groan. Stereotypes that persist, often have a grain of truth. The leavening agent for this is likely to be the growing gender equality in the profession - rather than engineers having to read Tolstoy for a university pass requirement.

Despite all these ideological reasons against the profession, there is still some hope - and as engineers we have the potential to change these negative aspects. If my son asks me again maybe I’ll also tell him this:

• There is a thrill in creating something that works.

I still get a kick out of seeing dreams become reality, from the lowliest cowshed to the largest building. Especially when something incredibly difficult works perfectly.

• Engineers are involved in almost everything.

Few non-engineers know that! It always surprises me how the media can talk about scientists doing the work that I know engineers really do. And the dawning realisation of people when I explain to them that it is engineers who run the factories that make their consumer goods, and who keep New Zealand’s infrastructure going.

• Excellence is necessary in engineering.

Doctors can bury their mistakes, but an engineer’s can be glaringly obvious - and expensive. There is nothing like setting concrete to create a monument. But if I ever fly in Concorde I will be reassured by knowing it was an engineer who did the sums, rather than an accountant.

• Engineers will become engineers whatever.

When someone has what Gretchen Kivell referred to as the "tinkering" mentality, they are likely to become engineers whatever disincentives, such as low salary or prohibitive student loans, are put in their way. That is society’s gain at our expense.

• Engineers are the salt of the earth.

Yes, I really believe that. When it comes to the crunch, and the going gets tough, I’d rather be with a bunch of engineers than any other profession.

One day in the future, when having a fulfilling job is seen as a privilege, not just as a way to put food on the table, engineering will be seen for what it is - a serious service profession with awesome power and responsibilities. Not just your everyday job!

Gerry Coates, director and manager - Electrical Division, Ian C Smith & Partners