Does humanity play a role in your job? 7

[StefanHamminga]

Hello, I'd like to start with some background. I'm 24 years old, been working as a full time engineer/designer for the past year, it kind of crossed my path... I have no diploma's or anything, I got hired just on my rep. and am doing really well.

Ofcourse this is a good thing actually, my boss even wants to keep me from continuing my study and start an engineering company with him.

Now I'm having second thoughts about that, my life philosophy has always been that I wanted to do something to help humanity and I'm thinking engineering just doesn't doesn't do enough for me on that area.

I'm sure there are more people here thinking the same, so I'm really interested in how you solved that... Did you search for that job that you felt would help humanity or did you take the best job you could get as an engineer and learned to live with your consious? Another option might be trying to be the best in your job as possible and use your resources to help...

Let me know what you guys think, especially what you thought looking back on your life as an engineer...

PS. Sorry for my messy story ;-)

Stefan Hamminga
Mesken BV
2005 Certified SolidWorks Professional
Mechanical designer/AI student

 

[IRstuff]

Perhaps your concept is too narrow.

You could work on vision systems for the blind, audio systems for the deaf, etc.

But asking how one rationalizes is not necessarily a good starting point. Someone, such as I, could argue that building weapon systems helps my country defend itself and therefore helps the portion of humanity that lives here.

Even the guy at McDonalds can argue that by providing fast food, they provide a service for overworked people to enjoy a cheap meal and reduce the stress in their lives.

Given that McDonalds claims something 95 billion served, one has to ask who really provides the greater good?

TTFN

 

[MintJulep]

If you actually start on that engineering degree, one of the first things they will teach you is the defintion of engineering. Something along the lines of "The application of the physical sciences for the practical benefit of mankind."

There are plenty of engineering jobs that have obvious benefits to humanity.

Design mass transit systems, fuel efficient cars, cleaner power plants, water treatment systems, medical devices...

And others with less obvious benefits.

Design machines used in the production of pharmacuticals, design safe buildings, bridges or roads, design efficient mechanical systems for hospitals or other non-profits...

Not everyone gets to be Mother Theresa.

 

[metengr]

I find it rather interesting that you landed a "designer/engineer" job with no formal training other than your reputation.

Now is the time to decide if you really want to pursue engineering, regardless of what your boss states, because without further study and some type of college or university technical degree you will not advance outside of your current job. In other words, I doubt that you would land a similar job opportunity without an engineering degree of some sort.

I have been an engineer for the last 24 years and enjoy every day of it. I would bet that most of the regulars on this forum probably enjoy engineering with a passion. Regarding humanity, I have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. This is something that one can do part time and receive tremendous benefit by helping others build homes or churches. Plus, on those occasional frustrating days, helping to pound nails relieves tension.

Anyway, your post sounds like you really need to pursue other career interests, especially if you are trying to justify the humanity angle. Engineering has to be in your blood to really enjoy it.

 

[SmithsJohn2]

I know one guy, a friend of mine, change the job from engineer to social worker after 20 years of working. He thinks he can help people directly.

 

[IRstuff]

Sure, that's another approach. While the gratification is instant, it's a onesy-twosy approach.

As an engineer, you have the potential to affect thousands of people with your work.

TTFN

 

[HVAC68]

To serve humanity, as long as you are a human and behave like one, it's more than enough. Of course, Engineering helps in many ways as posted above. One can keep on adding to that.

I design and execute Air-conditioning systems - does it help humanity ? Yes, in a small way. It helps people to work better, higher productivity, better indoor air quality, etc., etc. But, that's my job and I get paid for it !!!

There are so many more ways of helping manking outside the purview of one's job. Donate blood, donate your eyes when you die, donate to the less-privileged, ..............


HVAC68

 

[andyenergy]

Not sure where you are Stefan but here in the UK there is an organisation called Voluntary Services Overseas:

http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteering/stepone/

they regularly use engineers and their skills for humanitarian projects.I'm ashamed to say that I'm so stuck in my ways and also have become so specialised that I'm not sure that I have the right skills for them, but at one point did consider doing something with my ex-wife.

Intertesting question!

 

[flamby]

I don't see why anyone should be ashamed of not being part of a voluntary service, while we all are contributing to society in some way. All sorts of people are required to make the world and being part of a energy generation gang, who does not see their users everyday, should not make me a selfish and shameless person.

Life is a two-way concept. We serve the world and expect something in return. Without figuring out both sides of balances, decision is difficult. When you have figured it out, engineering provides many options.

Ciao.

 

[PSE]

I would agree with metengr in that now is the time for you to decide on commitment to the engineering profession and formal training (else your career opportunities will be very limitied). Humanity is served by virtually every aspect of the engineering profession. It is the prime reason for our existence. What you need to decide is what fits your definition of providing enough personal satisfaction. andyenergy posted a link for a UK organization offering direct involvement for humanitarian projects. Here is another. Visit these sites and see if they provide opportunities that match your personal goals. Also see if you have the skill requirements to partake in such activities.

http://www.ewb-usa.org/

Regards,

 

[waskillywabbit]

Helping humanity is never about what you do...engineer, nurse, pastor, school teacher, social worker etc. ad nauseum...it is about who you are. If you are looking for a job title to define who you are you'll be disappointed every time.

I started at about 22 and spent 10 years in a "helping humanity" profession as a pastor and that was my passion for a long time. I always told myself that once my passion for my profession left, I'd change professions...and I did. I had never used my engineering degree until I left that profession. I'm very thankful that I had my engineering degree to fall back on to support my family (don't read anything into that that ain't there). So I guess I'm in my second career. Would I go back to my 1st career? Never. Do I regret doing it? Never. Am I passionate about engineering...pick a day of the week and ask me then, but I spend a lot fewer days looking back and wondering what might have been...as I followed my heart instead of my head and I'm glad I did it.

It may sound hokey, but you only get one life to live, there isn't another one in the bank somewhere for safe keeping. Follow your passion, but get an education (degree) and have a back-up plan!

Brian

 

[TheTick]

Sounds like your boss has you hoodwinked. Without a diploma, you are virtually his captive designer. It would be quite difficult for you to forge a portable and upwardly mobile career from your position. Go to school while you are young enough to expend the energy on it.

As far as helping humanity, if you change one life for the better (even your own), you have helped humanity. Look inward, shine outward.

 

[kchayfie]

A bad doctor can only kill one person at a time but a bad engineer can kill thousands in the blink of an eye. In the same way, a doctor can help one patient at a time but an engineer can improve the lives of thousands of people. The improvements he makes might not always be noticed by the people he helps, and some people in this world might need more help than others, but engineering as a profession has a huge impact on humanity.

 

[MJR2]

I am one of the few people involved with an orginization,

http://www.meetingGODinmissions.com

that is an engineer. As such I get the electrical side of everything. We're building a university in Haiti

http://www.ucf-haiti.org

. Engineering practice has given me the talent, time, and money to help. Few of us can change the world. All of us can do something.

 

[bioengr82]

I ask you this. Over the course of recorded history, what profession has improved the quality of life and contributed most to the overall well being of people? Engineering makes a strong case.

*note engineers were designing bridges that still stand today when medicine was sucking the evil out with leeches

 

[ajack1]

Well the word engineer originates from “ingeniator” the builder of war machines, so it could also be said that engineers have done more than just about anyone else to harm humanity. Slightly ironically about the only people that would come above them are religious people, how many people have been killed in the name of religion?

I must say I do find some of what is written above amusing, just about any job could be seen as being humanitarian, if you search hard enough.

My personal opinion is what I do out of work has far more impact that what I do in work.

 

[bioengr82]

I think there are several here who would debate your word orgin, but I digress. People have been killing each other long before the advent of a bomb. Do you fault medicine as a field for the development of biological and chemical weapons? Don't the pros far outweight the cons? A world without engineers would be a world without clean running water, sanitary sewers, refrigeration, transportation, communication, etc. That is pretty hard to imagine. One the other hand, a world without social workers would be...well a world without social workers.

 

[Theophilus]

Engineering is intelligence applied to a purpose. Intelligence is neutral. The purpose can be judged.

Some friends of mine faced a similar dilemma and decided to use their abilities (very capable people with a wide background of life experience) to bridge the gap between needs and fulfillment:

http://www.needmagazine.com/

This will involve designers and engineers and many other people lending their talents and efforts to meet needs found throughout the world. (Think of how you may have been able to help with the tsunami crisis months ago as a volunteer.)

You can also help with the more mundane. I would have loved more interaction with real professionals while I was at ASU. So I help with that now in a mentorship program now in place at ASU for that purpose. Opportunity abounds.

Listen to TheTick and make sure you're not being unnecessarily hobbled in taking that job. Consider your purpose in life and whether "what you do" is in pursuit of that purpose. If not, change what you do.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[TheTick]

...so it could also be said that engineers have done more than just about anyone else to harm humanity.

Elimination of open sewers has probably saved more lives than those claimed by all wars.

 

[IRstuff]

I'm not a social worker, but I would take umbrage to social workers being classified as non-essential.

In today's culture, the social worker is the only person with even a remote responsibility in helping the poor, the elderly and the children.

In fact, we demand that they do so every time we complain about why a child was beaten to death or abused.

TTFN