Diversity is a major theme in NSPE’s strategic plan, and it recently gained a place in the NSPE Code of Ethics. For any future-focused, proactive profession or professional society, diversity is increasingly a strategic imperative. But there needs to be an acknowledgement of the missed opportunities created by the biases in our personal, professional, and societal lives. »

When a ship experiences a grounding, collision, capsizing, or fire, the responders’ order of priority is to save lives, save the environment, and save property. To that process, salvage engineers bring a problem-solving mindset and flexibility in a field that provides not just the opportunity but the requirement to think creatively. »

Engineering firms around the country recognize that their employees want to seek out knowledge and training to advance their careers, and have obliged by furthering their development programs, continuing education offerings, and opportunities to attain professional licensure and advancement within their workplace. »

Today’s young engineer professionals have a strong desire to lead and make positive impacts in their careers and communities. At the 2019 Professional Engineers Conference, top AEC leaders offered their perspectives on what it takes to develop strong leaders and how the industry will thrive going forward. »

Among PEs’ professional obligations emphasized in the NSPE Code of Ethics is a responsibility to provide career guidance to youths. Some NSPE members have taken the obligation to heart. »

Differences of opinion about the use of “engineer” and similar titles can turn contentious. State licensing boards are usually responsible for regulating use of engineer titles. But in a few cases, including some recent high-profile ones, the issue has reached the courts. Their responsibility: balancing the need to protect the public with free speech. »

As technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, advanced robotics, and mobile supercomputing move from the realm of science fiction to reality, there are very real consequences if tomorrow’s engineers are unprepared. »

The NSPE Board of Ethical Review recently released its 60th year of opinions. The compendium of cases offers a unique catalog of ethics interpretation for the profession. The scenarios benefit not only engineers in the profession but also students who haven’t yet faced engineering’s real-world challenges. »

As technology advances, issues arise regarding the evolution of the standard of care. During contract negotiations, design firms must resist client demands for a standard of care that goes beyond what is reasonable, which could cause later conflicts. »

As engineers seek to move up the career ladder toward management and leadership positions, effective communication skills will benefit them greatly. While it is no secret that top managers often demonstrate effective communication, what are the specific skills that engineers need, and where can they go to gain, practice, and maintain these important skills? »

Experience shows that people who practice a visual art develop new ways of seeing. They see things others don’t. For engineers who spend their careers defining problems and designing solutions, such a skill can be a real eye-opener. »

Each year, the Professional Liability Committee of NSPE’s Professional Engineers in Private Practice, in conjunction with the risk management committees of the American Institute of Architects and the American Council of Engineering Companies, conducts a survey and face-to-face interviews with representatives of companies serving the A/E professional liability insurance market. The results and the accompanying directory can help you select the best provider for your firm. »