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On the Image of Engineers… (October-November 2001)

One effective way to publicize the importance of engineering accomplishments is to volunteer as a guest speaker at a local junior or senior high school, and then tell the students about the exciting things that you and your colleagues do. I do this at a few local schools, and though my career has been modest, these kids still get starry-eyed as I describe with enthusiasm the tools of my profession — 'scope, meter, tiny parts on boards, and a hot-rod PC. I had around various parts and a few photos as I do this; these things may be common to us, but they are rare and exotic to them!

I follow that up with a summary of the projects I have touched and why they were important. Finally I hold up a doodled napkin and ask the group if they have ever sketched down a dream project — a custom car, a starship, a ray gun — anything from their own creativity. I challenge the group to consider engineering as a profession, laying out the costs (hard work, hard math, textbook reading, $$ for college) against the benefits (good pay, personal impact on the world, creative release — and fun). I leave behind a more detailed handout for them to take home and think about.

When I am done — in about 10 minutes or so — I always get a big wave of spontaneous applause and am trailed out by a handful of students who tell me they want to do that kind of work too. Often their own "napkins" make an appearance, rendered with earnest and careful detail. These I hold up with high praise, as I remind them again of the hard work they will invariably need to put in before they might see one or two of these dreams burst into reality. It's great fun and a big ego boost!

This may not be "star and idol" status as defined by the mass media, but I think it is as far as these children are concerned. Most will quickly forget me, but they will not forget my profession. And a few just might join me among the great fellowship of electrical engineering.

— D. Kevin VanZuilen, P. E.
IEEE Member

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