“If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.” So goes the popular paraphrase of John Whitcomb Riley's classic quotation. But what was very likely true in days of yore is not necessarily the case in the oxymoronic world of virtual reality.

In today’s tightly contested job market, personal recommendations can play a critical role in determining who gets the job offers. What do you do if asked to provide one?

When contemplating professional licensure, the central question for many electrical, computer and software engineers is: How will licensure benefit me?

IEEE member Kristi Brooks is a busy mom, volunteer and electrical engineer. In this month's Five Sites, she shares some of her favorite sites — for both diversion and productivity.

Two female engineering professors often find that people do a double take when they tell them what they do.

IEEE-USA has developed model legislation to help guide Congress when it takes up educational and employment-based immigration reform.

“Don’t follow in my footsteps.” These days, seemingly every conversation about the future of engineering includes an apocryphal story about an engineer who advises his children to find another line of work because engineering has no future. Yet until a recent set of surveys and analyses, we knew little about who stays in engineering, why people leave the field, and what happens to them after they leave.

Reauthorizing the landmark America COMPETES Act will be the top priority this year for the House Science and Technology Committee, according to Chairman Bart Gordon, D-Tenn.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies.

Still waiting by the phone, hoping a recruiter will call? Don't bother; your job search will be better served by taking and active approach — and staying on top of both your job leads, and the people who are helping you to find them.

For engineers working in the private sector, adding P.E. to your title may be the ticket to greater job security, more career opportunities and a higher salary. What must one do to earn a P.E. license?

Faculty from the University of Wyoming's ECE department respond to a challenge issued in a February 2008 Today’s Engineer article that called on U.S. institutions of higher learning to provide embedded systems design programs. The authors outline their program in embedded systems development, including coursework in microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic controllers, and embedded systems design.

On 9 November 2009, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in Bilski v. Kappos, a case that could — and most likely will — have an impact on all IEEE members. Just how important is this case?

As in past years, this annual survey examines the outlook in eight areas of significant import to the U.S. endeavor: technology, energy, climate change, work force, employment benefits, immigration, infrastructure and the economy.

The recent push to computerize healthcare has resulted in a confusing set of acronyms that even health IT professionals sometimes have trouble understanding. The transition from paper medical records to electronic records has resulted in a proliferation of terms. The following is an attempt to sort out the “alphabet soup” of healthcare IT and expand some of the common acronyms that you may encounter.

The third in the series on biofuel and biomass energy provides a discourse on an exceptionally important concern of biofuel and biomass production — that of land availability, conversion and deforestation.

IEEE-USA and a coalition of engineering groups has drafted legislation that will be introduced into Congress to help states make engineering and technology a formal part of their standard science curriculums.

Today's Engineer's Terrance Malkinson review's Joseph Fiksel's book on environmental sustainability and its ties to economic growth and revitalization and continuity of our global economy.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies.

It's five o'clock and you're wondering: where did the day go? Today's Engineer's Abby Vogel looks at ten of the biggest time traps that can pass the time... but not always productively.

Anyone who uses Twitter has run up against a vexing fact: it won’t let you send messages of more than 140 characters. How quickly that number gets eaten up – unless you’re ready to prune from the start. So goes the double-edged nature of Twitter: It’s a time saver; it’s a time sink.

If you just joined Twitter, you need to know the top techies worth following. We thought we'd help by providing a list of technology thought leaders who post useful information, including links, news, tips, inside information and perspectives on current events.

Traditionally, the holiday season is the most active networking time of year with lots of social gatherings, printed greetings and gift exchanges. The explosion of social media has dramatically impacted how we network year-round. Take the opportunity now to expand your connections using the variety of social networking platforms that enable you to keep up with your existing contacts and establish new relationships on a continuous basis.

Don Christiansen peruses some of the popular "A-Lists" in search of renowned engineers and innovators. While some are represented, you might be surprised at some of the notable omissions.

Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to start your own company and be an entrepreneur. How do you get started, and what does it take to be successful?

The overall favorable plan experience is the primary reason New York Life cited for being able to reduce rates for the currently marketed IEEE-Sponsored Group Term Life Insurance Plan.

The PE examination consists of 80 independent multiple choice questions and each has to be written by a registered professional engineer. If you are a registered professional engineer, find out how you can write a question for future exams.

A new series of e-books, Doing Innovation: Creating Economic Value, offers advice on how to be an innovative thinker, how to inspire innovation within an organization, understanding the process of innovation, and more.

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education reform will be a priority in Washington next year. Both Congress and the White House plan to focus on ways to improve the way that these vital subjects are taught in the nation’s elementary and secondary schools.

An exciting "new age" in fusion energy research and development is now beckoning, including important advances expected to be achieved at the ITER international experimental reactor in France, fusion experts have testified before a congressional panel.

A valuable, but little known, resource tracing the development of electronics for defense, space and other applications is located near the Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International Airport and the BWI Rail station.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies.

An NAE study initiated in 2006 concluded that “offshoring appears to have contributed to the competitive advantage of U-S.-based firms in a variety of industries, and the negative impacts of offshoring on U.S. engineering appear to have been relatively modest to date.” However, the study did note severe impacts in some industry sectors and for some jobs.

Due to high unemployment and hundreds of e-mails daily for an open position, hiring managers and recruiters are going online to investigate possible candidates — before the interview process even begins.

Today’s Engineer recently held a Q&A session with NCEES Director of Examination Services Tim Miller, P.E., who is responsible for preparing and scoring the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles and Practice (PE) examinations used by U.S. licensing boards to license professional engineers.

Engineers and high school teachers both impact many people on a daily basis. Unfortunately, for most engineers and teachers, that impact isn’t always tangible. The BEST Robotics competition offers an opportunity for teachers and IEEE members to help young people experience that "light bulb" moment in an exciting and fulfilling way.

A look at the challenges of total fuel-cycle emissions of biofuel pathways, and developing adequate transport, distribution and infrastructure systems for biofuel processing and delivery.

The Federal Circuit’s recent decision in In re Bilski has drawn much commentary from those who debate the patentability of “business methods.” However, many have overlooked a part of the Bilski decision that may unwittingly sanction the patentability of items and methods in virtual worlds.

More than 1,000 nanotechnology-enabled products are already available to consumers around the world. Yet much remains remains unknown about nanotechnologies' environmental, health and safety impact. Some experts contend that NNI's EHS research needs to be strengthened through adoption of a “top-level, top-down” strategy.

It is increasingly common to hear people referring to the nanotechnology industry, just like the software or mobile phone industries, but will such a thing ever exist?

Autumn is a great time to plan ahead for what you're going to do be doing this winter, and next summer, and how IEEE-USA could play into those plans.

For three weeks in October, the U.S. Department of Energy hosted the fourth biennial Solar Decathlon competition. More than 100,000 visitors toured the "solar village" located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Today's Engineer's Students Voice Editor Sarah Rovito shares some of her favorite sites.

When Wendy Hansen first began her Mass Media Fellowship at the Los Angeles Times, she wondered what she had gotten herself into. Ten short weeks later, she had found here calling.

Government regulations are planned to dictate a corporate average fuel economy standard of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, four years sooner than Congress decreed in the 2007 energy law. How will manufacturers manage to meet the new standard without compromising safety?

Developing a Workable Innovation Process is the second in a series of e-books by Gerard “Gus” Gaynor, a retired 3M Director of Engineering, on Doing Innovation: Creating Economic Value.

Planning to refight the last war has been an often-repeated mistake. But the U.S. Navy is getting out front with the development of a new ship class capable of modular reconfiguration to cope with various threats. The new ship is called the Littoral Combat Ship. At least fifty-five of these ships are planned, expected to be 17 percent of the total future fleet.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies during October 2009.

Executive talent agents and headhunters may appear to produce the same outcome, but there is an unmistakable distinction — the two professions are paid by, loyal to and represent parties that may have disparate priorities and contrary interests related to the same recruiting transaction.

IEEE-USA President Gordon Day reflects on his precollege engineering education, and says that, "Putting the “E” in K-12 STEM shouldn’t be limited to the classroom."

The high unemployment rate has created a false confidence among company hiring managers — from small business owners to Fortune 500 companies — because large pools of applicants are available. Rather than be fearful of making a hiring mistake, here are some ways to ensure you make a good, profitable hire the first time.

What is the future of precollege engineering education in the United States? What learning opportunities do engineering curricula provide to students? How can policy-makers bring meaningful changes to this country's educational programs? These are just a few of the questions addressed in the new NAE report, Engineering in K-12 Education: Understanding the Status and Improving the Prospects.

The U.S. rail network today, at 94,942 miles, is less than half of the mileage in 1970. However, sharply higher fuel prices have highlighted the economic value of railroads, and the industry seems poised to enjoy a renaissance of sorts.

Mechanical engineering student Samantha Caldwell says that winning the IEEE-USA 2008-09 student video competition was one of her most rewarding and exciting experiences.

Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) has been serving as chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology since the start of the 110th Congress. He recently shared his thoughts with Today's Engineer on a number of important issues.

Because disability coverage is medically underwritten, your application must be approved by the insurance company before benefits can be put in force. Here are a few things you can do to help the underwriter review process run as smoothly as possible.

In passing the PE exam at age 43, Dave Cotton's route to licensure wasn't the path most traveled, but he's glad he made the trip.

Manel Martinez started programming early in life — at age seven — when he received his first computer as a Christmas present. Little did he know then that that same Amstrad CPC would be instrumental in his team winning the 2006 IEEEXtreme 24 Hour Programming Challenge.

For your reading pleasure, and to serve as proof that there is intelligent life on the Internet, Today's Engineer is profiling interesting and useful Web sites for your edification. This month, IEEE-USA President Gordon Day shares some of his favorite sites.

The U.S. human spaceflight program currently appears to be on an “unsustainable trajectory,” according to a report by a 10-member expert panel chaired by Norman R. Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corp.

On 9 November 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in perhaps the most important patent case in decades: Bilski v. Kappos. On 1 September, IEEE-USA joined with Lee Hollaar in submitting an amicus curiae brief on this landmark case.

“Buy American” is making a comeback in response to the nation's foundering economy, and in light of "Buy American" provisions within the current administration’s stimulus program. But is it the best thing for America?

The Best of Today’s Engineer on Career Survival is not a new release, but given the state of unemployment in this economic downturn, IEEE-USA E-Books is highlighting this e-book to help engineers who need assistance searching for a new job, getting in the front door, maintaining their competitiveness, and managing their finances while they search.

IEEE-USA has joined forces with a coalition of engineering and science associations to provide training for engineers interested in running for public office.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies during September 2009.

When you’re unemployed, you can feel trapped in an endless cycle of hopping online, looking for jobs, applying electronically… and repeating the process day in and day out (all while hoping for a speedy end to the entire ordeal). So how do you break the cycle?

What makes the difference between those engineers who succeed and those who fall short of their potential? The answer lies in the “soft skills” that make individuals stand apart from the pack.

The House of Representatives is ready to debate their $1 trillion bill after the August recess, but the Senate Finance Committee has not revealed the details of their $900 billion version yet. A look at the issues Congress will be embroiled in this Fall.

Today's ECE students might equate the term “digital systems” only to modern electronic digital systems based on binary integrated circuits. (So might many veteran engineers!) Historically, of course, digital systems in the broadest sense included a variety of items having information represented in discrete states.

A Brief Summary of the issues and complexities of Bilski v. Doll, now pending review before the United States Supreme Court. At issue is nothing less than what is patentable?

There is a direct relationship between the knowledge base of ham radio and the science, math and geography taught to our children.

No matter how old you are, September has a way of sending you back in time to memories of school. For Larry Nelson, a consultant in microprocessor design, September still prompts him to go back to classrooms – these days as a professional engineer who loves talking to kids about his work.

NCEES recently approved development of a PE exam for software engineering. IEEE-USA will serve as the lead technical society sponsoring the examination with cooperative agreements from other organizations, including the IEEE Computer Society and NSPE.

These 10 shows demonstrate how science and engineering can be used to solve problems — and can be a lot of fun.

When most people talk about having “enough” insurance, they’re usually referring to life insurance. But if your family relies on your paycheck to make ends meet, your loved ones could find themselves in a worse financial situation if you become disabled than if you were to die.

Congress and the Department of Energy are focusing intensified attention on the energy-water nexus, particularly in the context of efforts to develop advanced technologies which promise to substantially reduce water withdrawals and consumption by electric power plants.

On 24 August, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released its Report to the President on U.S. Preparations for 2009- H1N1 Influenza. Did PCAST miss opportunities to foster greater impact by not addressing this issue through the interoperability lens?

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology reported by research universities and government agencies during August 2009.

Select government documents and reports are provided through the IEEE-USA e-book catalog as an information service to IEEE members. The catalog has been recently updated to include the three new titles.

A look at the origins of the glowing puck and the Yellow Line.

You've been offered a promotion. Should you accept it or turn it down? It's easy to say “yes”; knowing the right way to say “no” can be just as important to your career.

Today’s job market remains extremely tight. Executive talent agent Debra Feldman offers practical advice to job seekers looking for new career opportunities that will be satisfying and hold promise for future growth and advancement. For those looking for a new career challenge today, it's not just what you know or even who you know, but who knows what you know.

For your reading pleasure, and to serve as proof that there is intelligent life out there on the Internet, Today's Engineer is profiling interesting and useful Web sites for your edification. What's in your bookmark list?

Defenders of proper English are concerned about the effects of communicating via the Internet. Some decry the attempts to “squeeze a short novel” into 140 characters through the use of mashed grammar, creative misspelling, and a plethora of awkward abbreviations. But a glance into history yields some interesting precursors to the tweeting phenomenon.

NASA's human space flight program is in limbo at a time when its space shuttle and space station are approaching the end of their projected operational life-spans.

The outlook for the $280 million request by the Department of Energy for the establishment of Energy Innovation Hubs is in the hands of the all-important conference committee.

Debate over biofuel usage is heating up. This article, the first in a series of six articles on the most contentious issues surrounding biofuels, provides an introduction to the basics of the major biofuels.

In recent years, Congress has introduced legislation to overhaul the U.S. patent system. Each effort failed. And it appears that the 111th Congress may not fare any better.

Congress missed a 30 July deadline for reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) loan program and the similar Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, but agreed to continue the programs until at least 30 September.

Kristine L. Svinicki, a commissioner of the U.S. NRC, recently observed that “in the United States — and globally — there has been much discussion in recent years of a so-called ‘Nuclear Renaissance.’ Where does IEEE-USA stand?

The Waxman-Markey bill, promoting energy efficiency and reduction in pollutants thought to be responsible for climate change, narrowly passed the House in June, 219 to 212. What happens next?

Purchasing a new automobile can be a tough decision. Hybrid vehicles are coming down in price, and a number of incentives — including reduced auto insurance rates — are boosting their appeal.

News and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology.

Whether your career is on hold, hurtling along full steam ahead, or just creeping along at a snail's pace, now is a good time to step back and think seriously about what it is you want from that large portion of your life that you invest in work.

Key members of Congress along with high-tech industry executives are voicing qualified support for President Barack Obama’s cybersecurity initiatives, particularly his decision to establish a new White House office headed by a so-called “Cybersecurity Czar.”

IEEE Fellow Dr. James Gover examines the pros and cons of requiring engineering students to take more coursework in the humanities.

IEEE-USA held its first annual Energy Fly-In to help stress to legislators the importance of formulating energy policy that bolsters economic activity, better protects the environment and promotes national security.

It seems that everyone born with a computer in his or her crib (“digital natives” or DNs) differs from those of us who were not (“digital immigrants” or DIs). Their brains develop in a different way. The way they learn is different. The jury is still out as to whether this is good or bad.

You might think Generation Y (GenY) professionals would be the least equipped to weather a recession, let alone be the solution to a company’s survival during a recession. But are you underestimating their potential?

Knowledge has been described as the only source of sustainable competitive advantage in an information economy. Since knowledge is the primary product of knowledge workers, it is also the primary source of their employability.

The nation’s tough economic times have left countless people unemployed and looking for work. For many , rejoining the work force may seem like one of the most difficult transitions in life. However, if you are re-entering the job market, by preparing appropriately and attacking the search smartly, it doesn't have to be as intimidating as you might think.

IEEE-USA's latest e-book is the first in a series of four written to provide the basics for gaining an understanding of what innovation involves, what it takes to be an innovator, and what it takes to develop a culture where innovation can thrive.

Never before has IEEE held a conference with a singular focus on green technology, sustainability, and/or renewable energy. While many IEEE conferences have included sections on sustainability, the IEEE Green Technology Conference is special in that it fills a need within IEEE for sustainability-oriented conferences and study.

When more than 10,000 students gathered in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome in April to compete in a robotics championship, the stands were filled with cheering teachers, parents, coaches and mentors — many of whom are IEEE members.

With challenges posed by today's travel demands, it is more important than ever to be prepared and to be physically fit prior to and maintain your exercise regime while traveling. With effective planning and some creativity, exercise can easily be incorporated into your travel routine.

A new National Research Council report says the United States should establish clear national policy on resorting to cyberattack, while at the same time continuing to develop cyberwarfare capabilities in this sensitive area.

Every year in the United States, vehicle accidents result in more than 42,000 fatalities. This statistic has remained about constant over the past decade, even though the vehicle miles traveled has grown by 21 percent, to more than three trillion in 2006. Advances in intelligent transportation systems have the potential to ease congestion and improve safety on the nation's highways.

With an economy in crisis and a work force at risk, educating the nation's future engineers and scientists and advancing technological literacy are more important than ever. The Boston Museum of Science hopes to introduce engineering and technology to schools and at least one science center or informal education organization in every state by 2015.

It is widely accepted that a highly trained work force, capital investment and technology innovation are important inputs to international economic growth. However, what is not well understood is the most effective role for federal, state and local governments to fill in promoting each of these inputs to the global economic system.

Computer engineering seniors aren't deterred from taking the FE examination because of a fear of failure, but rather because they do not see the benefits of becoming a registered EIT.

A recap of new and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during May 2009.

Creative inspiration comes in many forms. For Don Christiansen, ideas often spring forth from his "parts box" of clippings, articles and partially written columns. Do you have a parts box? And what do you keep in it?

IEEE-USA’s efforts to advocate greater use of modern IT in America’s health care system are in substantial alignment with initiatives being mapped out by the Obama Administration, which is aiming to computerize the country’s health records within five years.

At most institutions the number of faculty members who hold a P.E. license is relatively small. Should faculty serve as examples for students who will be working in an engineering field in the future and may need licensure?

America’s economy is in crisis. But the financial crisis might prove to be an opportunity for America — if we respond by taking steps to once again lead the world by creating new, innovative industries, businesses and products. To do that, we must put science, engineering and innovation back in their rightful place in our economy.

Plans for upgrading the electric grid and adding renewable energy resources got a boost with the stimulus package, which includes $4.5 billion for low voltage smart grid pilot projects and $6.5 billion for existing wiring repair and maintenance — a total of $11 billion.

On 27 April, President Obama delivered a major address on science, innovation and education at the National Academy. In his remarks, the president offered no new Kennedy-esque Moon challenge, but he did signal a strong commitment to S&T funding and STEM education in forthcoming budgets, as well as to renewable energy technology.

A recap of new and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during April 2009.

After the economic freefall of 2008, when the Standard & Poor’s 500 index fund plummeted 39.8 percent, and American family wealth fell by 18 percent, many professionals are looking to rebuild their 401(k) plans and IRAs, perhaps also altering their retirement plans.

President Barack Obama’s appointees to key science and technology positions, along with his issuance of an official memorandum directing that the integrity of federal S&T activities be carefully safeguarded, have been drawing strong praise from the policy community, including IEEE-USA leaders.

Excerpts from a compelling commentary from Warren Buffett's letter to shareholders in the 2008 Berkshire Hathaway annual report. Buffett's letter not only describes the performance of Berkshire Hathaway affiliated companies, but includes the author's commentary on what went wrong and why in U.S. and global financial markets between 1998 and 2008.

Job hunting has become a contact sport. Be prepared for some rough and tumble times. This job market is all about relationships. Your network, and not just what you know, is the key to finding a new opportunity — the more people who know what you know, the faster the path to a new job.

IEEE’s volunteer leaders depend on e-mail communications to carry out their work. Unfortunately, this powerful tool in today’s high-tech society is a two-edged sword. This article provides practical tips on using e-mail to eliminate or mitigate many of the problems that high-volume e-mail users endure.

It seems like that question is answered by the patent statute, which since 1793 has indicated that “statutory subject matter” — what can be patented — is “any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.” But when it comes to new technology patents, things aren't always so simple.

Today, energy is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. The issue dominates political, economic and social debate—garnering the kind of attention not seen since the energy crises of the 1970s. The economic emergence of China, Brazil, Russia and other large players in world markets have pushed energy prices to unprecedented levels, having widespread impact on global economies, and forcing governments to take action.

Engineering program accreditation in the United States is conducted by ABET with the help of volunteers from its member societies — including IEEE. Currently, IEEE is responsible for evaluating more programs than any other ABET member society. Program evaluators from industry and government are needed.

A recap of new and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during March 2009.

Anthropologist Brian Fagan’s treatise on climate change looks at the rise and fall of great civilizations during the Medieval Warming Period (800 – 1300 AD) in The Great Warming. And environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg's takes issue with carbon emission alarmists in Cool It.

For easy access, IEEE-USA has now made available select published government reports to IEEE members through the IEEE-USA E-Book Catalog. Members can currently download six government documents for free.

Today’s Engineer recently sat down for a Q&A with IEEE member and IEEE-USA Licensure & Registration Committee member David Whitman, Ph.D, P.E., who was recently elected to be next year’s president of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) – the organization that develops, scores and administers the U.S. engineering licensure examinations.

Are engineers really less interested in supporting their local communities than scientists? The last Harris interactive poll on the public’s perception of engineers and scientists says “yes.” But is it true? Today's Engineer suspects that the public is suffering from yet another misconception of engineers.

Engineering graduates — and those already in the workforce — face uncertain times in today’s chilling economic climate.

As anxiety and uneasiness continue into the second quarter of 2009, companies are looking for ways to trim spending and improve their bottom line. Even though technology often encompasses a small percentage of a company’s cost expenditures, executives inevitably turn their attention to technology budgets. But cutting back on technology may not be the answer to today's economic woes.

The symbolism of engineering has evolved as engineering design has gotten more complex and abstract.

The talent pool of STEM workers across the United States is insufficient to properly support the American economy through the next decade, according to a new book, Winning the Global Talent Showdown: How Businesses and Communities Can Partner to Rebuild the Jobs Pipeline.

With the growing understanding of the benefits of wellness, lengthening life span, and the increasing cost of health care, the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle is transforming the lives of many citizens.

There are at least 70 million Millennials in the United States, and they constitute 21 percent of our work force — 32 million workers. How should management approach working with today's young engineers?

In November 2008, hundreds of engineers, economists, public policy experts, and citizens gathered in Atlanta for the IEEE Energy2030 Conference on Global Sustainable Energy Infrastructure.

Expert witnesses, including two IEEE members, testified before the House Science and Technology Committee to voice support for draft legislation to assist federal efforts aimed at scoping out and devising strategies for dealing with serious challenges posed by e-waste.

The growth of high-density commercial wireless systems has increased harmful interference to 700-800 MHz public safety communication systems (such as police, fire and emergency rescue). To cope with this, the FCC in July 2004 adopted a comprehensive plan to reconfigure the band, using digital television (DTV) to increase both capacity and quality.

John Meredith’s e-Book, the fourth in the GOLD Series, entitled Launching Your Career: Lifelong Learning — Your Key to An Enjoyable and Rewarding Career, is a guide for engineering students who are preparing to start their career, as well as engineers who are in the early phases of their careers.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during February 2009.

In today’s challenging economic environment, job eliminations and hiring freezes are commonplace. Human resource decisions are made that are beyond our control. However, you can control your preparations for an economic downturn — and your response, should you experience a layoff.

Sarah Rovito, our new Student's Voice editor, recalls how a WISE internship two summers ago helped lead to her current work, and how it whetted her appetite for using her engineering expertise to influence public policy decisions.

Each year, an average of 1.5 million young adults will leave the relative comfort of college and enter the uncertainty of a new job. If you are one of these recent graduates, these tips can help ease your transition.

Considering the devastating impact the current economy is having on U.S. workers, the current economic climate could certainly be considered the worst of times, or it could be viewed more optimistically as the best of times, if you are able to take advantage of some of the once-in-a-lifetime “bargains” that are likely available in the stock market.

Can the fruits of engineers’ labors be considered art? What of those of electrical engineers in particular?

Does blogging on your own time put you in any risk from your day job? Can it damage your career, or could it help? And if you decide to blog, what steps should you take to protect yourself?

Launching Your Career: A Practitioners Guide to Leadership is the third e-Book in the IEEE-USA GOLD series. This leadership guide is a thought-provoking, inspiring self-reflection, and provides practical examples of how to move forward as a leader in the workplace, your volunteer organization, and even at home.

Why did the leaders of the IEEE Engineering Technology Student Chapter at Texas A&M University decide not to attend a host of classes one day last October? Did they suddenly become slackers? Not at all. They skipped classes to attend a 23 October symposium, “Engineering Career Skills for the Future: Energy in Transition.”

Succession management has been bandied about as a topic of interest in companies and technology departments for years. Recently, succession management has enjoyed increased interest, as the need for skilled talent becomes more critical.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during January 2009.

Margaux is a typical nine-year-old girl, and proud to be a Geek Girl. She shares her refreshing perspective as a youngster who loves, of all things, math and science.

A newly released National Academies report, prepared by a high-powered ad hoc study committee, contends that America’s Cold War-era systems of national security export controls and visa restrictions on foreign scientists and engineers are broken and need to be substantially revamped.

IEEE-USA's 2009 president discusses his path to becoming an engineer, his family, his hobbies, and what he's looking forward to accomplishing on behalf of the IEEE's U.S. members during his term.

n theory, globalization is supposed to equalize global wages and raise the global standard of living. Everyone is supposed to benefit. So, what's the problem?

Can the United States continue to lead the world in innovation, asks the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). NAE suggests the answer may depend on how well the public understands engineering.

IEEE-USA has released three new career-related e-books. Two of the books kick off the "Launching Your Career" GOLD e-book series, which is dedicated to helping graduating students, recent graduates and young engineers on important career topics. The third e-book provides an overview of the Management of Technology (MOT) discipline.

Market volatility is often referred to as a normal market occurrence. However, when it involves your money, it takes on a new perspective. There is no guaranteed solution to managing market volatility and the stock market, but the following tips can help.

The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam for electrical and computer engineers is assuming a new structure in the spring of 2009.

To be competitive, senior level executives returning to the job market have some unique challenges, not the least of which is the gap in their employment history.

The public is asking for the modern presidency to tap into the potential of all Americans by means of searchable online databases of government information, full-scale interactivity, and the distributed problem solving that comes with social networks, to become more accessible, more transparent, and more effective.

IEEE-USA editor for technology policy George McClure looks at the prospects for technology, energy, climate change, work force, employment benefits, immigration, infrastructure and the economy in the new year.

While Congress prepares a renewed focus on government programs to assist science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, several major American corporations are pumping sizeable amounts of money into schools around the country to provide further support for initiatives to strengthen STEM education.

Stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds, 401(k)s, pensions, CDs…they all make up a well-balanced and diversified portfolio to make sure your assets are protected from market risks. But what about your long-term health risks? Learn more about your long-term health risks, including five myths, and a solution to help protect your assets from them.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during November 2008.

Businesses stand to lose a great deal when they don’t practice succession management — like management continuity and their best engineering pros.

At Carnegie Mellon University, the new interdisciplinary Masters program in Engineering and Technology Innovation Management (E&TIM) is designed for engineers who are passionate about creating value from technological innovation.

John G. Shulman, President and CEO of the negotiation consulting and training firm, Alignor, has written two informative e-books on Engineering the Art of Negotiation.

As oil nudged $140 per barrel, there was a ground swell of interest in more offshore drilling. But other options — including smart grid and nuclear power — warrant consideration when it comes to ensuring the nation's future energy supply and independence from foreign oil.

Over the next few years, the United States will face tough questions regarding the future of telecommunications, including spectrum sharing, broadband Internet, delivering services to rural areas, and the impact of peer-to-peer networks. One man helping to answer these and other questions is an IEEE member: Prof. Jon M. Peha, the FCC's new chief technologist.

The November / December 2008 issue of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine which will focus on protecting the health care & public health critical infrastructure.

Sarah Rovito writes about the summer of 2007, which she spent in Washington, D.C., as one of three IEEE-sponsored WISE interns.

Smart grid will bring tremendous energy, efficiency and environmental benefits … but consumers are not yet onboard.

In August, the IEEE Central Indiana Section hosted “Biofuels in Indiana: Technology, Public Policy and Future Direction,” a day-long conference which examined and assessed Indiana's biofuels progress, as well as the future of renewable energy sources.

An academic expert on DARPA — the gang that brought us the Internet, the laser and the PC — says that while the agency continues to be a target of concern and criticism, it still may be premature to evaluate its overall performance since Dr. Tony Tether took charge in 2001.

Maddalena Jackson spent last summer as a science reporter for two reasons. The first was to test a hypothesis she had formulated about applying the engineering mentality to non-engineering problems. The second reason was because she found herself at a loss for words at cruising altitude somewhere over Texas on her way home from Los Angeles.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during October 2008.

More than 300 IEEE delegates convened at the triennial Sections Congress in Quebec City to learn, and to arrive at their own recommendations to bring forward to the IEEE Board of Directors to guide future directions.

Stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds, 401(k)s, pensions, CDs…they all make up a well-balanced and diversified portfolio to make sure your assets are protected from market risks. But what about your long-term health risks? Learn more about your long-term health risks, including five myths, and a solution to help protect your assets from them.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama each have different views on the future of technology. Sometimes those views overlap, sometimes they don't. But each has a chance at influencing the careers of many IEEE members and others working in technology.

To the average citizen, bootlegging conjures up visions of Prohibition-era Chicago, hidden stills in the mountains of Tennessee, and fast boats delivering illicit spirits at dusk to numerous ports on the North Shore of Long Island. More recently, bootlegging refers to the practice of selling someone else’s intellectual property without permission or compensation.

An organization's ability to be competitive at what is does rests on acquiring the right talent, deploying it properly, and continually evolving to meet changing needs and situations. In today's rapidly changing world, how can you be part of the best team?

Over the past 15 years, inventors and manufacturers have become increasingly wary of a new type of patent owner: the patent troll. The road to riches for patent trolls may be getting a little bumpier, thanks to some recent court decisions and pending legislation.

Most everyone has been there at one time or another, working under a tyrant who somehow manages to survive in this world without people skills. If you haven’t had a boss like this, you should consider buying a lottery ticket — and soon. You are that lucky.

The history of initiatives to conserve energy use is as long as the history of energy use itself. Humans have always attempted to do more with less. But it was not until the energy crises of the 1970s that the desire to conserve became great enough to infiltrate federal-level policy. Where do we stand today, and what can we do in our own homes to help?

Smart grid initiatives are almost entirely industry-driven. People based in academia will be hard-pressed to find an institution from which they can learn all there is to learn about smart grid in one single helping.

Back in 2005, at the end of her IEEE-USA Fellowship to the U.S. State Department, Emily Sopensky ended her final report with: For me, the Fellowship has been life-changing… I have met some exceedingly bright, energetic and fascinating people. I have learned a little of the mystery…

Meet IEEE-USA's VP of Career and Member Services.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during August and September 2008.

The engineer’s work environment is not what it used to be. Many who began their careers in the mid-20th century did not work from a cubicle and none had a computer workstation. If they had a desk, it was often shared. In the case of U.S. engineers, they had little or no contact with the vendors, customers or other engineers outside the United States.

When it comes to retirement, it’s not just what you have that matters, but how you re-invent yourself so that you retire with a sense of meaningfulness and significance. Continuous learning is one of three key ways to do that, according to the research findings tracking retiree and retirement trends since 1993.

In recent years, the engineering profession’s employment landscape has been dramatically reshaped as a result of growing job dissatisfaction, downsizing, outsourcing, layoffs, and early retirements, to name but a few of the contributing factors. Many engineers have moved from salaried positions to independent consulting practices.

Are you looking for a "green" job in an environmental field? How about a job where you put your skills to work doing some good for the world? Or maybe you're just looking for a job that will challenge you. In any of these cases, a career in oceanic engineering could offer exactly what you are looking for.

When a person loses a job, he or she experiences shock, anger, disappointment, fear and the feeling of loss. We eventually dust ourselves off and begin to rebuild by searching for another job. Through networking, submitting résumés, interviewing and selling ourselves to perspective employers, we eventually land a new job.

Intellectual property is rarely on the minds of today’s young engineers — but it should be. Some may be familiar with patents, which grant an exclusive monopoly to the patent holder for a period of 20 years, but fewer are familiar with copyrights.

In mid-August, IEEE-USA President Russell Lefevre joined with more 250 other national science and technology leaders who converged on the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., to participate in the first National Science and Technology Summit.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during July and August 2008.

What happens when you apply for IEEE-sponsored life, health, disability or accident insurance?

His name was Nipper. He was — and still is — known as the RCA dog. Not a talking dog nor a singing dog, his fame came from listening. Yes, he was a real dog!

While many intellectual property experts are receptive to the idea and purpose of copyright education, some of them fault the available initiatives for their style and content. How young is too young to understand the subtlety and nuance of copyrights?

Electrical engineers, computer scientists and other technology professionals need years of education to qualify for jobs in their fields. And yet, even with all of this training, many of these same people working in high-tech fields find themselves held back in the workplace because they lack business-critical interpersonal, writing and presentation skills.

A Perfect Storm described the confluence of three storm systems in the north Atlantic. In demographics and retirement security, we have another perfect storm, with the third element being greater longevity in retirement.

From rechargeable batteries to window coatings to high-capacity electrical wires, nanotechnology is increasingly being employed to make a wide array of products more energy efficient.

Today’s Engineer sits down for a Q&A with Richard Schwarz, P.E., chair of IEEE-USA's Licensure & Registration Committee, to talk about recent changes to the requirements for becoming a licensed engineer.

We don’t all retire the same. We each have our own interests, needs and aspirations. Some of us make an easy transition to retirement, while others find retirement unaffordable, unexciting, unfulfilling, and maybe even lonely. By planning early in and continuously throughout your life and career, you may be able to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.

Smart grid initiatives are almost entirely industry-driven. People based in academia will be hard-pressed to find an institution from which they can learn all there is to learn about smart grid in one single helping.

The 2008 IEEE-USA Annual Meeting served as proof of engineers’ commitment to the environment. Held in April, the meeting included sustainability-focused presentations on green businesses, green engineering, green IEEE Sections, as well as numerous presentations on innovation, grassroots and activities designed to promote action at the ground-level.

Traveling overseas for work or on a family vacation can be the opportunity of a lifetime, but there can also be health and safety risks. Knowing how to stay healthy and safe, including getting the proper vaccinations and taking precautions, could make the difference between a good trip and a miserable one.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during Jun and July 2008.

Backscatter author Donald Christiansen has compiled some of his earliest, thought- provoking columns in a new IEEE-USA e-book, , The Best of Backscatter from Today’s Engineer – Volume1. Here's a brief review.

Because it is so important to continuing business success, and because opportunities for innovation are everywhere, innovation can be a vital ingredient for career success for every engineer.

Experiences from the IEEE Central Indiana Section, and lessons for greening your Section from IEEE members working at the heart of the issue.

Are there the makings of a "perfect storm" scenario for meeting future workforce needs in the electric power and energy industries? Many people, both casual observers and passionate participants alike, have strongly answered “yes” to this question. Why?

There are many reasons for attending industry-related meetings and joining organizations, like the IEEE, or community groups.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation in Congress that will dramatically change America’s skill-based immigration system. Her bills will make it significantly easier for non-Americans with advanced education and skilled to become citizens.

IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) is at the forefront of diversity issues. Although the primary goal of WIE is to build a community of women and men supporting the advancement of women at all stages of their careers, WIE has become the diversity arm of IEEE.

Many are rising in their versatile specialty, others have moved into related technical fields. At last count, women made up only 8 percent of the EE work force. Women of color account for just a fraction of those, but it’s a vibrant fraction.

Students, warm up your video cameras! It's almost time to enter IEEE-USA's second annual "How Engineers Make a World of Difference" online video competition for the chance to win thousands of dollars in college scholarships.

During this time of “No Child Left Behind” and meeting educational standards, students have little time for hands-on projects. For Ronald Rodgers, an elementary school teacher in Indiana, receiving an IEEE-USA Precollege Education Committee (PEC) Teacher Reward/Grant last school year had impacts beyond his expectations.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during May and June 2008.

The Banneker Institute serves as a catalyst in the pursuit of increased African-American participation in STEM careers. In 2007, it declared “The Decade of Blacks in Science,” a national effort to promote STEM outreach activities at the local level.

Don Christiansen wonders about young engineers' knowledge of the history of our own profession. Consider the once ubiquitous vacuum tube. How many under-40 engineers are aware of the origins of the thermionic vacuum tube or of its importance during its halcyon years?

How do you get green consumers — and later, the majority — to embrace green technologies? By following a familiar theory regarding the diffusion of innovations.

People tend to get very complacent once they land a new job. After months (sometimes years) of searching, many people think their work is over once they step through their new employer's door. Unfortunately, sitting back at this juncture might lead to outcomes that are far less favorable than a person hoped for in a new employment situation.

In a slowing economy, where are the opportunities? The Semiconductor Industry Association’s (SIA) survey of its member companies looks at degrees, technical skills and positions the companies are having difficulty filling.

The only specific right the U.S. Constitution grants to citizens is ownership of their intellectual property (Article I, Section 8, Clause 8). But employees now working for technical companies, academic institutions and government likely signed a contract that pre-assigned their intellectual property to their employers.

The PE examination consists of 80 independent multiple choice questions and each has to be written by a registered professional engineer. If you are a registered professional engineer, you can write a question for future exams. Find out how.

Before you have retired, you should be able to answer without hesitation: “What do you do?” You might say, “I do a lot of things,” and then (assuming your questioner is interested in more than what you can do to help him or her), launch into your laundry list of new activities in retirement.

As the 21st century gets underway, the U.S. engineering profession finds itself facing major challenges, including the impact globalization and offshoring of U.S. engineering jobs are having on the engineering workforce and profession.

IEEE members are at the vortex of America’s global economic status in the 21st century. In order to help American business remain competitive, it is vital that IEEE members understand sustainable business operations.

With all the concerns of rising gas prices, home foreclosures, rising health care costs, and bills, bills, bills, it is ironic that many people have not given thought to the financial security of their loved one or themselves when either one dies.

A roundup of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during May 2008.

Are you protecting your intellectual capital? A primer on the most common types of intellectual property: trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, copyrights and patents.

For more than a century, science-fiction authors have played a major role in helping to shape technology innovations. What can we learn from writers of science fiction that will allow us to be more innovative in the real world?

Attitudes and values differ around the globe, and an unintentional mistake can not only reflect badly on you, but could also submarine your business deals abroad. Terry Malkinson reviews Terry Morrison and Wayne Conway's cultural guide to Latin America.

Plug-in-Hybrids: Accelerating Progress Symposium — Part 1 is now available as IEEE-USA’s latest e-book. Bill Williams, a senior IEEE-USA legislative representative on the IEEE-USA Government Relations staff, compiled “Part I: Electrification, Fuel Economy and the Environment” from an exciting IEEE-USA co-sponsored symposium held in the Fall of 2007.

RFID has been a rapidly-adopted technology, largely on the basis of its potential for saving costs and improving productivity in distribution and consumer transactions. The market is estimated at $5 billion now, growing to over $25 billion by 2017.

With a global push to find viable alternatives to coveted — and finite — fossil fuel reserves, renewable and sustainable resources, such as solar energy, are enjoying a resurgence of interest from the engineering and political communities.

The nation's elderly are wealthier, healthier and more numerous than ever before. However, the positive population and financial trends among the elderly population are contrasted by negative trends in the their transportation options.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the Broadcast Flag regulation — beyond the MPAA’s influence, the disregard for fair use, and muzzled innovations — was the way the FCC overreached its authority. Despite its repeal, the regulation has had long-lasting consequences.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government during April-May 2008.

Early adopters are valuable to those who introduce innovative high-tech products. These early customers may be either individuals or corporations. It is estimated that perhaps 10 to15 percent of the individual purchasers of a product fall into the early-adopter category.

Osceola McCarty, a washer woman from Mississippi, donated $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995 for student scholarships. Her secret? Hard work, diligent saving, frugality and living within her means. If Ms. McCarty can accumulate this amount of money, surely an engineering graduate should be able to do at least as well.

Intellectual property is usually a company’s most valuable asset. While trademarks and copyrights are generally understood, patents are generally misunderstood, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars to companies every year. Learn how to avoid the 10 most common mistakes made regarding patents.

Because recruiting is expensive and time-consuming, and the pool of available talent is shrinking instead of growing, employee retention is fast becoming the most cost-effective strategy for keeping up with business needs. Experts suggest that you can buy employee loyalty with salary, bonuses, perks, patting them on the back and even letting them bring their pets to work. Yet employees still leave. What is an employer to do?

Some members of Gen Y are wondering why they don’t seem to fit in with their colleagues, and yet they remain hopeful they will find the right job and situation that will take full advantage of their talents and aspirations.

A fulfilling technical career path generally requires some form of growth to be rewarding. In addition, if you’re expecting to prepare for increased responsibilities, you’ll be looking to increase engineering, professional and business skills.

If you’re diagnosed with cancer, will your health insurance cover ALL the costs of your treatment? Find out what your health insurance plan covers and what it doesn’t. Plus, learn about an affordable “back up” that could help you if you’re among the one in three Americans diagnosed with cancer during your lifetime.

A recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government in the first quarter of 2008.

On 17 January, IEEE-USA, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Westinghouse Electric Company jointly participated in a Congressional Research and Development Caucus briefing on emerging nuclear technology. IEEE-USA coordinated the briefing to assist House members with a shared interest in promoting technical innovation in the United States.

IEEE-USA E-Books are alive, well — and growing! Whether you are searching for information on consulting, innovation, salary surveys, or personal and professional development, you will find it in the pages of IEEE-USA e-books.

Less than thirty years ago, Richard Stallman founded the free software movement, dedicated to the principle that the free sharing of knowledge embodied in executable software is an ethical imperative. Stallman's vision, though derided as impracticable and inconsistent with economic reality, has transformed the global software industry, and is at the very heart of the most important developments in human society since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Engineers have been known to grouse that while pop stars and sports figures get lots of attention, engineers labor in the shadows, and, like Rodney Dangerfield, “don’t get no respect.”

In the short term, forecasting is hard to do, matching a development with a timeline. That said, IEEE-USA's government relations editor George McClure provides an overview of changes and trends in eight categories that are likely to affect all of us, in one way or another, in 2008: technology, energy, climate change, workforce, employment benefits, immigration, infrastructure and the economy.

In study after study, more and more engineers over age forty are reporting age bias in their job search, and engineers are increasingly wondering what they have to do to get a job in the second half of their careers.

The dearth of women in IT and programming, and declining numbers of women enrolling in undergraduate computer science majors in the United States has many causal factors, and has been studied extensively since the 1980s. Yet the underlying causes are so intertwined that it is difficult to separate them. Some sociologists suggest that many of these causes may reflect the pervasive effect of the gender system. Confounding the issue are technological and cultural changes.

Post-secondary education is expensive and choosing your educational provider is a decision requiring careful thought. A decade ago, the decision was much easier. Today, the choice of an educational provider is complex; a wrong decision has huge financial and time implications.

The topic may seem dull, but technology export controls are vital to U.S. security and competitiveness. Technology that could help other nations compete with the United States if released — or that could be useful to terrorists — is subject to export controls. The rub comes in weighing the needs of U.S. innovators for greater sales versus the harm to the national interest if the technology is divulged.

According to some, engineering is the most essential profession in the world. Engineers mold the very foundations of almost every device, mechanism, system and substance on which the world's population relies. So, if the United States is suffering from an "engineering gap," where will the nation's future engineers come from?

In today’s world products, money, and people transcends borders. The career-savvy individual will take the time to become informed about other countries, their cultures and ways of doing business. Asia is the world’s largest continent, containing almost 60 percent of the world's population.

When the National Engineers Week Future City Competition hosted its 16th National Finals 18-20 Feb. in Washington, D.C., a record 37 regional championship-winning teams participated. They represented the cream of the crop among the more than 1,100 schools and 30,000 students who competed during the 2007-08 season.

Henry Ford and Rudolph Diesel’s initial efforts to fuel their fledgling automobiles involved ethanol and peanut oil, respectively. However, they soon discovered that refined petroleum was a far more efficient source for gasoline and diesel fuel. Are biofuels ready to make a comeback?

The following is a recap of news and notable developments in electrical engineering and computer or information technology emerging from the federal government in January-early February 2008.

Some IEEE members believe that all we need to improve public appreciation of engineering is a prime-time TV series featuring engineers. That could very well be true, but quicker than you can calculate pi to 39 decimal places, mathematicians are already in prime time.

Remember the board game King Chip? Or the Macintosh XL (aka Lisa)? Or PC Jr.? Don Christiansen revisits some of the technologies and technology predictions of the mid-1980s to explore the veracity of the law of engineering obsolescence.

With all of the cellular phones, MP3/PMP devices, GPS units, set-top boxes, DVRs, automobile telematics systems and digital televisions out there, we are surrounded by embedded systems composed of custom hardware and software designs. But, is the United States losing its edge in producing engineers who can make these critical systems work?

Most people can relate to the anxiety associated with being asked to give a presentation to a group of colleagues. Susan de la Vergne offers a few suggestions for improving your technical presentation abilities and effectiveness.

Defined contribution plans provide greater portability of benefits than “traditional” defined benefit plans, but shift the responsibility of saving for retirement from employers to employees. Whether employees are saving enough to secure their retirements is question of some concern. Based on a November 2007 GAO report.

In late December 2007, President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R.6). The bill requires auto manufacturers to improve fuel economy standards to 35 mpg by 2020, and boosts ethanol production five-fold by 2022. The legislation also includes a $95 million competitive grants program designed to spur electric vehicle technology development, as well as language calling on NIST to work with the IEEE and others to develop standards for emerging "Smart Grid" technologies. But does it do enough to achieve the nation's ambitious energy independence goals?