Public Perception of Engineers in the us
A few weeks ago I went to see some friends who were graduating with engineering degrees. The engineering graduation was combined with those of the Colleges of Education and Business. University administrators presented awards to teachers both future and present. They gave some kind of honor to an older College of Business alumnus. The University bestowed the honor of "the most outstanding student leader" to a Business student whose main accomplishment was directing this year's installment of the nation's largest student run pep rally. After these awards, they started handing out the diplomas.
That's when it struck me: Our society does not give enough respect or recognition to engineers. I had known several people sitting in that engineering section who had, through their academic and leadership efforts, made a much more profound impact than any entertainment event could have no matter how large it was. Sitting on that very floor were graduating engineering students who had broken land speed records, helped develop new materials already being integrated into the space program, and developed methods to grow earth-native plants on Mars. And those were just the people that I knew personally. Where was the recognition for these people?
Now, I know that they may get some recognition. One might receive a research grant to continue their work in graduate school. Another might publish an article in a prestigious journal that is read by other successful and promising engineers. But, where is the public recognition? When was the last time you saw a prime time television show or blockbuster movie about an engineer? I've been to many award ceremonies for engineers. Usually, the only non-engineers in attendance are the honoree's wives.
Even if a fictional character is an engineer, they are either characterized as excruciatingly nerdy and socially inept or are equipped with some redeeming quality,' like being a kick-ass military hero or a tragically beautiful woman. As if the fact that their intelligence and knowledge that saves the world isn't enough to make them acceptable heroes.
There are engineers in this country doing astounding things. The engineers of this country make all day-to-day operations possible. Civil engineers build massive awe-inspiring structures that people travel from half way across the world to witness, but a civil engineer is also responsible for every building, bridge and road you've ever used. Materials engineers have developed materials used to safely replace joints, even entire limbs, in human bodies. They also develop increasingly innovative consumer packaging and more environmentally-friendly disposable containers. Mechanical engineers have developed propulsion systems powerful enough to launch observation equipment from Earth to the edges of our solar system. They are also responsible for your vehicle's engine, industrial manufacturing machines, air conditioners, commercial airplanes and a mind-boggling multitude of technology and systems. Environmental engineers develop processes to repair human-caused environmental disasters, but many people don't realize that they struggle every day to prevent the careless human race from making our own planet unlivable. Biological engineers develop a striking number of cures and treatments for ailments thought to be undeniably lethal just a few years ago. They also cultivate plants and bacteria that help us all lead the lives we have been accustomed to. Electrical engineers are responsible for much more than iPods and Wii's and cell phones the size of your pinkie finger. I can't even begin to describe how computer engineers touch every second of our lives every day and every where.
Still, even with all this, if you ask an average American what an engineer does, they can't even begin to tell you. They may tell you that engineers are dorky and their jobs are boring. The recent Hollywood writer's strike was big news. What would it be like if all our engineers went on strike? You definitely wouldn't hear a word about it, because our country would cease to function as it does now. No TV, no internet, no power systems. Machines would quickly fall into disrepair. Only then would the average person realize how important engineers are. Only when people lose the petty comforts they have come to rely on, would anyone care about engineers.
There are innumerable shows and movies about doctors and police men and firefighters. They are brave, heroic and save people's lives. People do not realize engineers save so many more lives every single day. Only, they do it preemptively, quietly, and without any gratitude or recognition. Engineers shape the world with their intelligence and ingenuity and America hides them away like a secret we are ashamed of.
