The Future Of Engineering

And what about the distant future of engineering? That is, future engineers. In July, CareerJournal.com teamed with Market research and polling firm Harris Interactive to develop a list of the best careers out there that was based on interviews with people about how satisfied they were with their careers. Engineering wasn't among the top eight careers listed.

One of the problems, many academics complain, is how engineering is perceived by young people in elementary and high schools. They're exposed to science and math, but not engineering. A number of efforts are under way to change this, but it may be a slow process.

One is the formation of the IEEE Center for Pre-University Engineering Education. Working with IBM and the New York Hall of Science, this outreach organization encourages students to study engineering in college through its Web site (www.tryengineering.org). The site targets students ages 8 to 18, teachers, school counselors, and parents about engineering and what engineers do. It also enables students to play games that introduce them to basic engineering concepts.

Another new IEEE initiative is the introduction of the Entrepreneurs Village, an online port designed to provide high-tech entrepreneurs with tools and resources conducive to innovation and company growth. The Entrepreneurs Village links tech-based entrepreneurs with their peers to provide networking opportunities and resources.

"Seventy-five percent of all innovation comes from small business, and successful small businesses become large businesses," says Mauro Togneri, cochair of the IEEE-USA Entrepreneurial Activities Committee. "Expanding technology-based entrepreneurial business is critical to the U.S. economy and IEEE members' career vitality and employment."

Data on the rate of engineers moving from one company to another is scarce at best. But a survey conducted by CompTIA found that many technology workers are restless over their current job situation and are actively searching for new opportunities. The survey of nearly 1000 IT workers found that 58% are currently looking for new jobs. The primary reason tech workers are scouring career Web sites and help-wanted ads? Higher pay.

It's still about the technology
Futurists and analysts have been busy predicting the future of technology and its growing role in society. Most people still access the Internet on a computer, but the use of mobile devices to check e-mail or browse the Web is outpacing even laptops in some markets, according to a study by Ipsos. The study indicates that about three in four households in the U.S. now own a mobile phone. Globally, the market penetration of mobile devices is likely to jump dramatically over the next few years as prices drop in developing and underdeveloped regions.

Again, what about engineers?
They have plenty of options. "Engineering graduates have analytical problem-solving skills that can easily be applied to a variety of disciplines," says Belle W.Y. Wei, dean of San Jose State University's College of Engineering. "This can be very attractive to employers."

With a chunk of EE graduates who end up in Silicon Valley companies, Wei has been pushing several ideas and concepts at SJSU. One is the recruitment of underrepresented demographic groups that would have a major impact on the H1B visa controversy. Another is to take a closer look at the role of government in spurring high-tech education, as well as what it can and ought to do and what it shouldn't get involved in. Another favorite Wei topic is the need for engineering education to ground its ivory tower knowledge in the reality of the contemporary and future engineering work environment.

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