... On Career Strategies (February 2005)

I fully support the views expressed in the article. It is a must read for every engineering student for it emphasizes on the hidden fact "engineering is not only about scoring good grades at school and impressing your professors; it's also about getting your hands dirty while trying to explore theory learned in texts."

— Sudhir Iyer
IEEE Student Member
New Bombay, Maharashtra (India)

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Thanks for addressing the graduate option for an undergraduate student. Presently on my last year towards a BSET degree from NJIT, I'm thinking of going into the graduate program but the cost alone is stopping me from enrolling. Hopefully, your words will have a positive effect on my decision.

— Wilber Hernandez
IEEE Student Member
North Bergen, N.J.

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I thought that the author of this article missed the boat at the end of the article. In my opinion all engineers should continue their education after entering the workforce. It's the best way to stay current and ensure your employability in the future.

— Ray Renner
IEEE Member
Round Hill, Va.

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... On H-1B Training Funds (February 2005)

The H-1B is now the permanent employee (at least three years), while the U.S. resident and U.S. immigrant are the temporary employees. Look at the jobs offered in the United States — project oriented, six to 18 months in duration. Clearly, a reversal has taken place.

— Charlene Clingman
IEEE Member
Downers Grove, Ill.

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... On the History Column (February 2005)

Your latest Engineering Heritage column gives the impression that magnetic tape is no longer manufactured in the United States. It is true that the manufacture of magnetic tape in the United States has declined significantly. However, both Imation (formerly 3M) and Sony (and I believe TDK and Maxell) still have significant investments in magnetic tape manufacturing in the States. Imation has plants in Cammarillo, Calif., and Wahpeton, N.D., and recently opened a new state-of-the-art coating facility in Weatherford, Okla. And Sony has a major coating and assembly plant in Dothan, Ala.

— Matt Jacobs
Boulder , Colo.

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Quantegy isn't the last magnetic tape manufacturer in the United States — haven't you ever heard of Imation, an offshoot from 3M? And several Japanese companies (Fujifilm Maxell, Sony) have operations in the United States, too!

Also, computer tape remains a multi-billion dollar industry, not just a niche. U.S. companies are leading suppliers of computer tape drives: IBM, HP, Storage Technology, Quantum Corporation.

Good history, but not quite up-to-date on the present state of things.

— Lawrence Neumann
IEEE Member Grade
Lancaster, Mass.

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...On the Capitol Shavings Column (January 2005)

Only problem with becoming "politically involved" is that every corporate organization I have worked in has made it very difficult to become "involved" in politics, charity or any other "civic" arena, because the members of the board want to put their corporate name on anything positive, but blame the employee for anything negative.

Ever told a manager that you will not give to the United Way because you write the check to them directly?

Ever told a manager that you will be taking a couple of days off to be a poll-worker and not been accused of not being a "team player"?

Ever been told by a manager that one "civic" event or another was "voluntary" and then received a tongue-lashing for not showing up "on your own time"?

If not, you are living in a different world than "the rest of us."

— Donald Brown
IEEE Member
Brookfield, Mo.

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... On Conquering Change (January 2005)

Great article and very timely for my circumstances. We, as engineers, need to get used to change, as technological changes affect our very jobs.

— Brent Lahey
IEEE Member
Ft. Wayne, Ind.

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... On Energy and Ethics (January 2005)

The article addresses some significant issues, but one key fact is ignored. Electrical power, along with water and gas, is a necessity in our society. The average home owner, retailer or industrial plant can not sustain any prolonged loss of these utilities without incurring major expenses or, in some cases, significant injuries. The market place can insure adequate generation only if cost is passed through the delivery system unregulated. Transmission and delivery are not amenable to competition due to the impracticality of parallel service connections.

Commodities and services which are required for our society's operation, and which are not readily available to the end user from multiple independent sources, require special consideration, whether it is in the form of regulation or legally enforceable standards.

— Mark Bailey
IEEE Member
Round Lake Beach, Ill.

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