"There are only two futures the one we create for ourselves
or the one others create for us. ... Our current system consists
of a two-century-old, four-year format. It's a hindrance. We need
to develop a new paradigm for civil engineering education and practice,
including a marked change in the length and content of the program
and in our expectations of it."
"... As a professional, I'm proud of the civil engineer's
traditional role in addressing many of the basic physical needs
of the society. ... Yet with pride there also exists frustrations
over the increasing frequency with which civil engineers claim that,
as a profession, 'we get no respect.' ...
But individuals and organizations don't earn respect just because
they demand it. That respect - and admiration - come largely as
a result of their actions and accomplishments. ... Think about it
- employees receive compensation increases because of the value
they add, not because they've boasted and whined."
"Another frustration is the virtual absence of civil engineers
in the political arena and the scant attention they receive from
the media. ... The content and atmosphere of the education of civil
engineers prepare them for short-term job security, not life-long
career security."
"The generally low compensation level of civil engineers is
another concern. ... Frankly, there are simply too many civil engineers
out there, and there are too many civil engineering education programs.
..."
"The civil engineering graduates in 2010, as I envision them,
will embody the high-value, long standing traditions of the profession.
They will derive great satisfaction from doing so. They will also
possess technical competence within civil engineering and allied
fields and evince a pragmatic, get-the-job-done drive and highly
ethical behavior. In the future, graduates of civil engineering
programs should be able to do the following
- Demonstrate technical competence in several areas of civil engineering
...
- Draw on broad exposure to the humanities and social sciences
...
- Understand business and management fundamentals ...
- Demonstrate command of ... communication ...
- Appreciate the ethical framework ...
- Quickly access data and information ...
- Recognize the need for ... career-long learning ...
- Understand the need to identify and address such ... factors
as safety, aesthetics, ... in planning, designing, constructing,
and operating ... systems;
- Function either as a member or as a leader of a ... team ...
- Draw on the practice-oriented experience that derives from an
internship or cooperative education program."
"Civil engineering is losing a lot of talent because in many
cases students are not being exposed to the creative, people-serving
dimensions of the profession. Keep in mind, though, that when I
say 'losing talent,' I mean losing quality, not quantity. ... Compare
the organizational structure of an engineering office with that
of a dental or medical office. In a dental clinic, for example,
there are likely to be 5 to 10 hygienists and clerical employees
supporting one dentist. The ratio of support personnel to engineers
in an engineering office is much, much smaller. This would seem
to indicate that civil engineers are in ample supply and have much
lower economic value than dentists and doctors."
"Becoming a civil engineer is too easy, and it's getting easier
- if the current movement to further reduce course credit requirements
is any indication. ... The Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) reports about 220 accredited civil engineering
programs in the United States and about 120 accredited civil engineering
technology programs...
Fewer of the former and more of the latter would better serve the
civil engineering profession."
"Most senior faculty members in engineering have a good deal
of job security through the tenure system. ... Faculty members are
generally isolated from the rapidly changing realities of the civil
engineering business. ..."
"On the positive side, there are some bright lights illuminating
the gray civil engineering landscape
* The 1995 CE Education Conference concluded that '... an additional
period of study, recognized by a professional degree, is required
before ... entering practice.'
* In October 1998..., the Board of Directions approved this policy
statement 'The ... (ASCE) supports the concept of the master's degree
as the first professional degree for the practice of civil engineering
at a professional level. ...'
* Beginning in 2001, ABET will implement new criteria for accrediting
U.S. engineering programs. More emphasis will be placed on establishing
instruction-specific educational objectives that will be subjected
to continuing evaluation and improvement. ...
* In response to external criticism, some universities are implementing
alternatives to the traditional, unchecked tenure system. ..."
"Educators and practitioners must jointly develop an approach
to civil engineering education. The new model should attract and
retain a core of bright young people who want to be managers and
leaders - as well as producers - and help them achieve those goals.
... Some suggestions
- Assemble faculties that are more heterogeneous and that include
leading-edge practitioners who teach courses vertically through
the curriculum. Guest lecturers won't cut it.
- Increase faculty accountability and creativity by replacing
or markedly modifying the tenure system.
- Lengthen the program. I suggest six years. ...
- Vastly expand the use of existing campus resources. ...
- Convey the role that 'civil' engineers have played in meeting
society's physical needs all through history. ...
- Instruct students in business fundamentals. ...
- Emphasize effective communication. ...
- Be sure students have received training in teamwork and have
experience working in teams. ...
- Promote paid cooperative education program and internships.
...
- Provide instruction and experience in various ways of learning.
...
- Expose students and faculty to exemplary civil engineers - leaders,
managers, and entrepreneurs. ...
- Hire graduate engineers who have earned master's degree and
have cooperative education experience. ..."
"... If the civil engineering profession does not create a
new education paradigm for itself, others will create it for us.
..."
