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03.10

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On “Why Should You Become a Licensed Professional Engineer?” (February 2010)

Dr. Thornton references the PE Code of Ethics. One of its tenets is that a PE must not practice outside his or her area of competence. This is necessary for public safety, but it is also an insistence on personal honor. When I read that a letter had been signed by 1,500 or 1,700 scientists claiming that their advocacy of a political position is based solely on science, I wondered how many of those scientists were practicing outside their specialty. By getting a PE license, an engineer commits himself or herself to the highest standard of professional ethics. Whether or not your employer places a value on licensure is of lesser importance.

Bart Rice
IEEE Senior Member
Kapolei, Hi.

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The article was good; however, it did not emphasize the main reason for any engineer to register as a Professional Engineer. That reason is the public acknowledgment, by the engineer, of the engineer's responsibility and intent to behave, design, and implement in a responsible manner to serve the common good and ensure public safety. That is the basis for all licensure.

R. Neil Fisher
IEEE Life Member
Ashland, Ky.

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I think people that demonstrate outstanding competence in electrical engineering should be licensed without taking the basic tests.

It should be obvious that a person with a Ph.D. and several patents and publications is competent. Why not allow that person to become licensed without taking basic tests? It is an archaic rule whose time is now past.

David Comer
IEEE Life Fellow
Provo, Utah

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Well Written! I would also mention that it instills a certain amount of confidence in a client who might hire you to do an engineering job. It also gives you a leg up on unlicensed competition who can't use the word "engineer" or "licensed" or "professional" in their title; but, must just call themselves a "consultant" to be legal, and can't really practice engineering in its strictest sense to the public. (There are many who try to get around this through various means) Also, it makes it easier for you to get "errors and omissions" insurance if licensed.

Rick Tannehill, P.E. (Ret.)
IEEE Senior Member
Glendale, AZ

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The major point that was left out was that licensure also is another hidden revenue stream for the authority. I am sure it will come down to "everyone" who wishes to be called an engineer will be required to have a PE. That is a sorry state of affairs for little substantiated reason.

Ray Floyd
IEEE Life Senior Member
Cody, Wyo.

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On “Writing Effective and Responsible Job Reference Recommendations” (February 2010)

The article provides excellent advice. I've had many experiences reading and writing recommendations; everything in the article is helpful for those in either/both roles. Thanks for providing a high-value-add piece.

Michael Ransom
IEEE Member
Parkland, Fl.

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Many companies have a policy of not allowing employees to give letters of reference for legal and liability reasons. Though it may seem an unfair policy, it would be wise to check with the HR department to find out whether there is a policy in place before promising to write such a letter.

Carol Applegate
IEEE Member
Reston, Va.

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On “Backscatter: Quack, Quack?” (February 2010)

I thought that this article was brilliant. It has crossed my mind in the past and I have often wondered about the [Don Christiansen's] concept, only to be told that there should be no real concern. I totally agree with the precepts about taking away ingenuity and the possibility of inbred and inherent errors in the software that have never come to the surface or perhaps do, but do so too late.

Harry Zackrison, Jr.
IEEE Life Senior Member
Williamsburg, Va.

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On “Five Web Sites I Love…”  (February 2010)

These are Great sites but for Networking and Communications engineers. I really enjoy www.lovemytool.com. Great, unbiased technology reviews of Wireshark and associated network analysis and monitoring solutions. Writers can have technical articles posted for free.

Tim O'Neill
IEEE Member
Roswell, Ga.

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On “High Skills Immigration The IEEE-USA Way” (February 2010)

In the Chicago area we have thousands of unemployed engineers who are vying for a handful of jobs. Bringing in ANY new people before the engineers have been put back to work is unthinkable. Even with green cards, most will be started on a lower scale to improve language and cultural deficiencies. Students today are not going into engineering because they see their parents out of work for prolonged periods of time, and look to careers where they can be reasonably sure of staying employed.

Until the laid-off engineers have been put back to work, we should not be bringing in anyone short of a Nobel Prize winner!

Constance Kelly
IEEE Member
Des Plaines, Ill.

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This policy is ill-conceived and certain to weaken the career potential of domestic workers. IEEE's position is clearly aligned with employers, and not workers. This will damage IEEE's credibility with its membership, while building its connection to corporate sponsors.

I think that is a poor leadership decision at IEEE.

Stan Sorscher
IEEE Member
Seattle, Wash.

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