Engineering is a passion for me, and if you’re reading this, it’s likely a passion for you, too. We’ve had an opportunity to dream, create and build, often improving the lives of entire communities in the process. We know that there is a shortage of engineers in our universities, and in reality, recruiting toward such a career needs to start during the middle- and high school years. What kind of messages can we share with these young people? How do we pass our passion on to them?
It is important to convey that engineers find the solutions to our most vexing global issues – whether we’re talking energy, the environment, water, medicine, communications or a myriad of other topics. We take ideas and concepts and turn them into tangible reality. We make dreams come true and, in the process, make a tremendous difference in the world. This is why it is important for young innovators to embrace this age-old profession.
A World of Challenge
Challenges of scarcity and sustainability abound across the U.S. and around the world, increasing the demand for skilled engineers. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that more than $2 trillion is needed by 2020 in order to rehabilitate or replace aging water infrastructure in the United States alone.
One scarcity example is in the Western U.S. region, which is largely experiencing a decade-long drought. Snow pack levels stand at a fraction of their historic averages, and the Colorado River, which 56 million people depend upon, has surpassed historic lows,. Severe drought in Southern California is creating large-scale water shortages that may impact everything from food production to energy generation.
Climate change, food security, affordable water and energy supplies – the challenges are varied, interconnected and critical. Their complexity creates enormous demand for more engineers to bring innovative solutions. This all points to numerous career opportunities for engineering graduates. We need to convey to students of all ages how much of everyday life is touched by engineering.
Lots of Reasons to Love Your Work
Engineering is a rewarding career on many levels. Diversity is one. Engineers can leverage a person’s experience and make inroads into multiple sectors. A degree in engineering can be a launching pad to a job in business, design, medicine, law, government, as well as many other career paths.
For those individuals that aspire to lead a company someday, engineers can easily make inroads into senior management and leadership positions. Whether working for the private or public sector, or setting up their own companies, engineers serve as leaders of industries.
Along with business administration and economics, engineering is the most common undergraduate degree among Fortune 500 CEOs. With well-honed skills for leading projects and teams, and with their talent for managing details and the big picture, engineers make natural leaders. It is important to convey the wide world of possibilities to today’s youth.
As the world continues to change rapidly, more engineers are needed to help solve real-world problems. New engineering graduates have excellent opportunities to secure a job immediately after graduation. For those already in the field, engineering can open doors to further professional advancement.
I have observed that engineers in general enjoy a high degree of job satisfaction due to factors like solving problems, applying creative thinking, job security, travel and team collaboration. The workplace can be anywhere: in a big city or small town, in an office, classroom, lab or factory, even in the wilderness or space. Also, there is no “typical” for engineers. They are constantly exposed to new challenges. Their talents are constantly being tested. It is all about addressing complex challenges, and those challenges are always evolving.
If there is one thing we know, this current generation loves the opportunity to make a difference!
For anyone wanting to make a lasting impression and improve people’s lives, engineering brings it all together. Turn on a tap, and clean water flows. Send a probe to Mars, and data comes back for analysis. Press a button, and your car starts and drives silently. Our incredible system of engineering provides the backbone for eye-popping developments and the everyday things we need to enhance our lives. Our lives are easier, healthier, safer, more fun, more interesting – in a word, better – thanks to the marvels of engineering.
If you know of a young person who would be a good candidate, please pass this message along to them. Share from your heart the challenges you’ve conquered through engineering. Let them see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice. There is so much that is great about our industry. Let’s make sure the next generation knows.
Subject Matter Expert
Cindy Wallis-Lage: Wallis-LageC@bv.com
