Florida Engineering Society (FES)

By David Cowan, Jr., SENIOR ENGINEER, CMA

David Cowan, Jr., P.E., ENV SP, is a senior engineer at CMA in the West Palm Beach office. David has over 10 years of experience and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering with a water resource focus. David serves as a state director for FES, District Director for TBP, and on the Urban Drainage Standards Committee for EWRI.

Thriving and Growing in Engineering Today and Into the Future

Engineering has always been seen as a career that contributes to the growth of the country through the application of technology, math and science – be it an aqueduct that carries water from a far-off land to a city center or a rocket that brings people to the moon.

As we march into the future, the field of engineering continues to flourish, offering dynamic opportunities and pathways for individuals seeking both personal and professional growth. This article explores the growth of engineering and key ideas about growth as an engineer.

The discipline of engineering started during the 18th and 19th centuries from a military skill associated with the technology of war. The discipline then spread to broader civilian applications such as bridge construction, industrial technology and transportation.

The first American school to offer instruction in engineering was the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802 (“military engineering”), followed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1824 (“civil engineering”), the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1845, Harvard in 1847 (later spun off as M.I.T.), Dartmouth in 1850, and Yale in 1852. As Technology advanced, we saw the creation of many other engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, aerospace and computer engineering. Now we are seeing the growth of biomedical engineering, molecular engineering and other emerging fields. This diverse and growing history of engineering has always provided an opportunity for people with varied interests and skill sets, making it an exciting career to embark on and grow in.

INNOVATION AND THE TECH REVOLUTION

During the 21st century, we have seen a technological revolution.

The creation of new technologies has created enormous opportunities and disruptions in the market. The fusion of engineering with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing has given rise to novel career avenues.

Engineers are at the forefront of developing autonomous vehicles, revolutionizing healthcare through telemedicine and crafting sustainable energy solutions. These innovations have created countless new jobs, made other jobs easier and/or faster. It has also made some jobs obsolete.

One challenge we will need to face as we grow with technology is how we do it responsibly. This is why the Engineer’s Creed, a moral compass for our profession, starts with “As a Professional Engineer, I dedicate my professional knowledge to the advancement and betterment of public health, safety, and welfare” to protect the public.

As engineers we need to work with policy makers, doctors, lawyers, contractors and manufacturers to implement new technologies in responsible ways. Additionally, as we continue to integrate technology into society, we need to remain vigilant about the global market we are part of. We need to consider how bad actors could use beneficial technologies in immoral ways. This could take the form of cyber-attacks on our infrastructure, corruption of data, or the infiltration of supply chains in ways that could cause vulnerability in the future.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS LEARNING, CHANGING AND GROWTH

Because of these rapid innovations in the world today, new technologies emerge, regulations evolve and best practices shift. Consequently, a growth mindset and a commitment to lifelong learning are crucial for success.

Engineers need to continue to grow and stay current on new developments in their field. This can be done through research, certification, workshops and returning to school for advanced degrees.

To be successful today, engineers must be committed to personal development. It is important to learn and develop technical skills, but the true engineer will seek to develop their interpersonal skills as well.

The soft skills of engineering such as public speaking, managing people, quality communication and emotional intelligence are not a major focus of engineering education. They are a large part of the job as you grow in a company, and you must purposefully cultivate these skills. Engineers tend to be collaborative. No one can build a rocket or construct a bridge by themselves. It takes a team! And a diverse team is a better team. The growth of engineering careers goes hand-in-hand with diversity and collaboration. Engineering teams now comprise individuals from various cultural backgrounds, genders and experiences. This diversity helps with design but has to be intentionally developed.

Different people from various backgrounds bring diverse ideas to the table, and the best ideas can be brought to the surface. Learning from each other builds better teams and superior projects.

THE BUSINESS OF ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship is no longer reserved for business graduates alone. Engineers with a vision can start their own companies and create groundbreaking products or services. The rise of startups in tech and engineering has created an environment where engineers can turn their ideas into reality. This entrepreneurial spirit, combined with engineering expertise, can lead to exceptional career growth and financial success.

There will always be a place for the General Electric, Lockheed Martins, and AECOMs of the world. We must remember where these companies started: A person or two working away at a problem that people needed solved for a price they could afford.

Engineering is a great business. Today we have more work to be done than people who are willing to do it. If you are motivated and have initiative, there are great opportunities out there. I know many people who have taken the jump to start their own business, and one of their first clients is the large company that they used to work for. The growth and income potential in America is unlimited for the small business owner who wants to work.

If high risk-high reward is not your style, I still suggest bringing the entrepreneur spirit with you to work every day. Understand how your business makes money and how you can help improve that. This will help you to advance within your company in terms of your responsibility and respect. Engineering as a career is in a period of unprecedented growth in so many ways. Will you grow with the industry? Visit fleng.org and consider joining FES and be part of a community committed to promoting and defending Florida’s professional engineers, networking opportunities and continuing education to the development of leadership and personal skills.