How Some Companies Disrespect The Engineering Profession

Professional Engineer & PE Exam Forum

Help Support Professional Engineer & PE Exam Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

JB66money

Supporting Member to Examinees
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Messages
103
Reaction score
19
Location
IL
I just recently transferred jobs from one state to another within the same company. While working withn the first state, I noticed the high regard that was shown for engineers working within the company, especially those who were licensed. In fact having a P.E. license was a definate way for an engineer to have improve their chances for upward mobility. Howevere since transferring to the other state, it has been like working in a different company. Many employees especially those who work within the field do not respect or value engineers. In fact many people hold positions in which on a licensed professional engineer would be allowed to hold in the other state. Since working here I have noticed how the term engineer is loosely tossed around. There is a group of employees called estimators in the former state that are called "engineers / field engneers" in the second state. Many of these people have never gone to college and if the have they do not have engineering degrees. In fact I know of one particular case in which there is a licensed P.E. who's boss wass an estimator. In fact his boss, along with several other supervisors have technology degrees and not engineering degrees seem to have a chip on there shoulders against engineers. Also many of these people have great influence on the engineering decisions made in the company within this state. The result is that the electrical system in this state is poorly designed and primative compared to the electrical system in the other state which values engineers. The thing that pisses me off the most is how they loosely toss around the title engineer. There are many people with only a high school diploma who believe that they are engineers. People did not work their behinds off for four years to earn a BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited college or university, study and passed the FE exam, work four years and later study hard for and pass the rigourous P.E. exam to be legally classified as a Professional Engineer, for someone who only received on the job training to do a few routine tasks to call themselves engineers. I would like to know how do those who have their P.E. license feel about this kind of disrespect of our profession.

 
In fact I know of one particular case in which there is a licensed P.E. who's boss wass an estimator.


There's your answer. One guy, who wasn't a PE but was probably a pretty good employee, got promoted to management. That's guys pre-conceptions about the necessity of a PE in order to do engineering work has permeated the office. Depending on the state in question and how strict they are, you may have some recourse against your company for their lax use of the "engineer" title. But then the question becomes, how much **** do you want to start at your current employer?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I used to work with a draftsman who would tell clients he was a "field engineer". It bothered me at the time. I don't get as worked up about the liberal use of 'engineer' as I used to. Now, when the day comes that a 'process assembly engineer' puts together my footlong sub at Subway....I might get a little irritated.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I used to work with a draftsman who would tell clients he was a "field engineer". It bothered me at the time. I don't get as worked up about the liberal use of 'engineer' as I used to. Now, when the day comes that a 'process assembly engineer' puts together my footlong sub at Subway....I might get a little irritated.
You would at least expect a train engineer to drive your sandwich to completion at Subway.

 
I used to work with a draftsman who would tell clients he was a "field engineer". It bothered me at the time. I don't get as worked up about the liberal use of 'engineer' as I used to. Now, when the day comes that a 'process assembly engineer' puts together my footlong sub at Subway....I might get a little irritated.
You would at least expect a train engineer to drive your sandwich to completion at Subway.


:laugh: :beerchug:

 
Title's really haven't bothered me, but if the payscale is thrown around loosely, it becomes an issue. If you are getting paid the same as a High School degreed estimator with an engineer's title, it would be a deal breaker.

 
Winning work will always pay more than doing work...not saying I agree with it but I can understand it....

 
Back
Top