WHO WANTS TO BE AN ENGINEER?

When the Dean of Engineering asked me to write an article in support of the Engineering Profession, 1 had some initial misgivings. As a scientist, I was concerned that I lacked the background to comment knowledgeably about Engineering and, in addition, for much of my career I have been aware of the academic rivalry that exists traditionally between scientists and engineers. Thus, the Dean's request could be likened to a supporter of Manchester United being asked to contribute an article in support of Liverpool! There is a mutual respect, perhaps even a grudging admiration. but such sentiments should not be recorded in any signed statement.

However, as I reflected on the issue, I recognised that the rivalry probably stems from the fact that science and engineering are essential parts of a continuum of knowledge. At one end, scientists seek to understand the physical, chemical, biological and mathematical forces and principles which control and shape the world in which we live whereas, at the other end, engineers apply these principles to create machines, structures and systems which enhance the quality of life for the people of this planet. Thus, although the nature and philosophy of science differs from that of engineering, it is eminently appropriate to think of scientists and engineers as team-mates in pursuit of an enormously exciting and worthy goal - a safer, healthier, more comfortable world.

ENGINEERING AS A CAREER: There is little question that science and technology will have a major influence on our future and the men and women who choose to study science and engineering can anticipate a challenging, dynamic and fulfilling career. One of the most important factors in determining an individual's state of happiness is job satisfaction. We spend about half of the time that we are awake at work and those who are unhappy in their jobs cannot look forward with much pleasure to the next twenty or thirty or even forty years. Fortunately, we do not all have the same requirements for job satisfaction, otherwise we would all be chasing the same job; but it is important, as young people are thinking about the various options that are available, to consider some of the factors that are likely to give them job satisfaction.

When I speak with professional engineers and ask them why they are pleased with their choice of career, two responses that I receive frequently relate to the relevance and practicality of engineering.

RELEVANCE: The work that engineers do usually has some direct benefit to society and, as a result, many engineers feel a sense of personal worth from their activities. Engineers may be involved in the design and maintenance of industrial plants and processes to produce the foods that we consume, the paints and chemicals that we apply or the tools and appliances that we use in our homes. They harness the energy of fossil fuels, nuclear reactors, wind, sun, waves and tides to provide the electricity required for modem living, they design and build all manner of vehicles for transportation as well as roads, railways, bridges and buildings and they are involved in the design and production in a range of biomedical devices. Indeed, it is difficult to think of anything that we use that has not been influenced in some way by an engineer.

PRACTICALITY: Closely related to the relevance of engineering and the obvious benefits that it brings to society is the highly practical nature of the discipline. Engineers, because of their practical knowledge and training, have an excellent understanding of how things work and why they are the way that they are. Thus, they are able to understand and contribute knowledgeably to discussions on many of the vital issues that will occupy political debate in coming years.

In addition to consideration about job satisfaction, those who are thinking about career choices should ask also if they have the particular interests and skills to succeed in the job. Again, it is useful to look at those who have developed successful careers in engineering and attempt to define common traits and background. In general, they tend to be people who enjoy building and fixing things. My favourite recruitment poster for a University Engineering Programme showed a young girl, face and hands covered with oil, replacing the chain on her bicycle. The caption read, "I want to be an engineer, just like my Mom". People who enjoy taking things apart and putting them together again, who are well organised and who have good mathematical skills have the ideal background for engineering. Furthermore, as the poster indicated, many successful engineers are women.

BRANCHES OF ENGINEERING: The range of career options within the engineering profession is considerable and the major branches are identified in Table 1. However, even this table does not include such diverse engineering disciplines as those devoted to materials, metallurgy, ceramics, agriculture, petroleum, mining, environment, aerospace, ocean and naval architecture. No university will offer specialised degrees in each of these areas, therefore, the student may be advised to obtain a primary engineering qualification in one of the major areas listed in Table 1 and obtain a more specialised training at the post-graduate level or during the first few years of employment with a specialist company.

Table 1: Branches of Engineering

THE FUTURE: As indicated earlier, it can be stated with confidence that science and technology will impact markedly on our future. Engineering is the profession which is principally responsible for implementing scientific and technological advances. Therefore, the demand for engineers is unlikely to diminish. Computer and Computer Aided Design and Engineering will play a central role. At present, there is a world-wide shortage of electrical and electronic engineers and it is reasonable to predict that this will continue for several years with particular need for specialists in computer technology, telecommunications and electronics. Ireland also needs many more engineers and technologists in manufacturing, materials, design and automation. Opportunities can be anticipated also in such areas as advanced manufacturing using integrated computer-based tools, application of biotechnologies for pharmaceutical and environmental processes, other advanced environmental technologies to address serious problems and civil engineering projects to rebuild and enhance our nation's deteriorating infrastructure for roads, railways, sewage and water systems.

There are excellent Engineering programmes within Irish universities and students interested in obtaining additional information about entrance requirements and courses should contact the Registrar of any of the following universities: Dublin City University; NUI, Galway, UCC, UCD, Trinity College and University of Limerick.

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