May/June 2017
You Said It
NSPE members are sharing their views in many ways—though the new online NSPE Communities, Twitter, Facebook, letters to the editor, and more. Here are some of the recent highlights.
PE License Benefits
I graduated from a very large engineering school in the US (Purdue) about 12 years ago. I was one of many...probably hundreds…who took the FE exam during my senior year. As I reflect back, one thing that surprises me is how little I understood about the PE license then. Even though I had an interest in obtaining a PE license, I was naive regarding what the license allowed me to do and what responsibilities it came with. I expect that many or most of my classmates were equally naive as well. My question to fellow PEs is twofold:
1. Do you believe young engineers are properly informed about the benefits and responsibilities of a PE license?
2. If not...what should young engineers (and students) know about the benefits and responsibilities of a PE license which they do not already?
Levi Sutton, P.E.
Truxton, NY
Since I am a chemical engineer, I was not required to have my PE license for my day-to-day work. Later in my career, I decided to get it to set an example for younger engineers and to be able to sign off on their experience if they decided they wanted to pursue their license. I always wished I had taken the time to get it earlier in my career. A number of years ago, I started my own engineering company and I was happy I had my PE (one less thing to get in place), and I’m now licensed in multiple states where we do business. It has served me well in a discipline where it is not required. I feel it put me in an elite group that wanted to take their credential to the next level. I encourage all young engineers to pursue their PE. You never know how it will help you and it will certainly never hurt you.
Charles Clerecuzio, P.E.
Woolwich, NJ
Transparency Needed
Enjoying reading the current PE magazine.
Referring to the article on NY project manager convicted for falsifying reports (March/April): I worked with FEMA on several flood insurance areas and after my report is submitted I have had no additional contact with anyone so I do not know if the report was changed or left as submitted. The article recommends increased transparency, which I wholeheartedly agree.
Don Jessup, P.E.
Check Your Spelling
On page 7 of the March/April 2017 PE magazine, you have misspelled Judith Resnik’s last name as “Resnick” in the photo caption to your article “Wanted: NASA Mentors to Inspire Women to Pursue Aerospace STEM Careers.” Very sloppy and disrespectful.
How do I know? Judy and I were close childhood friends, who went through most of our school years together.
Your mistake is more common than it should be, and the only one I found in what was otherwise a very nice and informative issue of your magazine (normally flawless, as I read them cover to cover, generally).
Brent C. Sisler, P.E.
Akron, OH
Correction: The March/April article “Indiana Piping Bill Encroaches on Engineering Expertise” incorrectly referred to Position Statement 1745. The number of this position statement on professional practice was recently changed to 1778.
Don’t miss out on the discussion in NSPE’s online Communities for professional engineers. Engage with your peers on issues of professional importance. Visit https://community.nspe.org.
Join the Conversation
There’s no shortage of ways to connect with the Society as well as other members. NSPE’s Communities, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram all help you make that connection. Or you can write a letter or send an e-mail to the address below.
On this page, we’ll show you some highlights of what people are saying. Keep in mind, however, that the views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of and should not be attributable to the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Share Your PE Experience with NSPE