more on engineer degrees 7

[boffintech]

I work with a guy that constantly refers to his degree as a “bachelor of science in civil engineering”. I see this guy’s framed certificate on the wall and it actually reads “Bachelor of Engineering Technology”. I have never heard him refer to himself as an engineer. But here’s the thing, no one here considers the guy an “engineer”. He is a low level CMT technician, has been for 10 years, and will likely continue to be one for the next 20.

1) Is it a matter of poor ethical judgment for him to refer to his degree in the manner in which he does?

2) Should I just MYOB?

 

[Maury]

I agree with both 1) and 2). Unless he represents himself to the public or to clients as an engineer, I wouldn't say anything, and then I would refer the problem to his supervisor.

 

[wes616]

a degree does not an enigneer make...

Wes C.
------------------------------
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...

 

[EddyC]

.....but the PE does.

 

[drawoh]

boffintech,

I graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical in Toronto with a three year diploma, making me an engineering technologist. Ryerson has since become a university, granting Bachelor of Engineering degrees. At one time, I think it was a Bachelor of Applied Science. The graduates are now qualified to be professional engineers.

Does his certificate really say "Degree"? "Engineering Technology" sounds like something I was taught.

JHG

 

[Ashereng]

Doesn't a "Bachelor" degree mean a 4 year degree? If it does, could it be that “Bachelor of Engineering Technology” may be civil engineering related?

I know that in Canada, various universities grant degrees in engineering under various names. For example:
Bachelor's of Engineering
Bachelor's of Applied Science

I personally have a Bachelor's of Applied Science Chemical Engineering (as distict and different from Bachelor's of Applied Science I suppose).


Here is another thought. I also have a diploma in computer science, obtained through my local college. When I worked as a software developer, I hung that up on my office cubicle divider. Although I have a PE, and a engineering degree, I wasn't using it, so I kept it at home. In conversations with collegues, it would have come up that I have an "engineering degree", even though a diploma was in my cubbie. People may also have interpreted that I was misleading them with regards to my degree and licensing - although I wasn't.

In any case, he is not representing himself as a PE (not relevant to your degree). I would just let it go.

 

[TheTick]

Call it what you will. If it isn't ABET accredited, it's only expensive wallpaper.

 

[GregLocock]

" I have never heard him refer to himself as an engineer. But here’s the thing, no one here considers the guy an “engineer”."

Great. So the only person who cares is YOU. get over it.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Ashereng]

"Call it what you will. If it isn't ABET accredited, it's only expensive wallpaper."

ABET, Inc., is the recognized U.S. accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology.

 

[jsummerfield]

In many states the ABET accredited engineering degree is among several paths to obtaining a professional engineering license. One can obtain a PE with an engineering technology degree. Ethically however, representing his degree as a bachelor of science in civil engineering is not accurate as it is not the same as a bachelor of science in engineering technology. I would represent my degree as it appears on the diploma. Perhaps he has an inferiority complex about the diploma. Still, if he is not claiming to be an engineer it is of no real consequence.

John

 

[zcp]

Why the need to hang the certificate on the wall? A certification like API510 or a CWI maybe, a masters or PhD possibly, but why hang a bachelors? If you are an engineer, you are an engineer. You should prove it with your work, not with a piece of paper.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[RDK]

Local association rules are to display the license where you normally work.

Usually see it in someone's office but seldom see a BSc at the work place, Masters and PhD's sometimes but not always either for those that have them.


Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[Ashereng]

One reason to hang one's certificate on walls is that they are proud of their achievements. Akin to people's pictures of their family, that big fish they caught, or the RV on the desk.

It can also be culture. The new person coming into the office notices all the licenses, certificates and degrees on other people's walls, will most likely bring his/hers in also.

It's their wall, and unless there is a rule against hanging things on it...

 

[HgTX]

Most of the people I work with display their degrees and their licenses. Most only have a bachelor's degree, no master's. I'd hang my degrees up too but I'm too lazy to remember where I put them.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[stevenal]

Call it what you will. If it isn't ABET accredited, it's only expensive wallpaper.

ABET accredits engineering technology programs also. Better than wallpaper, but not the same as an ABET accredited engineering program.

 

[wes616]

I hang my ABET Accredited Degree in my bathroom above the toilet. On the frame is a small engraved placard that reads,

In Case of Emergency, Break Glass

Wes C.
------------------------------
When they broke open molecules, they found they were only stuffed with atoms. But when they broke open atoms, they found them stuffed with explosions...

 

[Beggar]

It doesn't sound like an ethical issue to me unless he were to warrant it as such on a proposal, resume, CV, tech paper, or something.

Sounds like much ado about nada.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

--------------------

 

[TheTick]

The HR department got a photocopy of my degree. My boss knows I have one. As an exempt engineer, I see no need to advertise.

 

[HgTX]

Mine is pretty. It has stickers on it. It would make a lovely wall hanging.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[Slowzuki]

Our office encourages people to bring in their degrees and post them up. I don't even know where mine is, never took it out of the envelope.

It isn't that I'm not proud of the work I did to get it, more that I prefer useful or interesting things on my walls.

It reads Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering. No distinction that I took mechanical engineering. That information resides at the association and is checked when you take a job.