Professionalism and Marketing of Civil Engineering Profession
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 117, Issue 1
Abstract
Basic microeconomic principles are used to evaluate the widely anticipated shortage of civil engineers. Long‐term trends, demographic projections, and data on numbers of graduates and their starting salaries are considered. Civil engineering salary trends are compared to trends for other professions. The study found little evidence to support the widely accepted forecast of a civil engineering shortage. Instead, it found that we are in a period of oversupply. It also found many forecasts of civil engineering shortages during the last 35 years, but no evidence that any of these shortages actually happened. Skepticism of shortage forecasts is urged. Evidence of quality problems in civil engineering students, graduates, and practice are cited. These problems are related to the long‐term oversupply of civil engineers and the resulting weak economic and professional position of civil engineering. Since additional students will worsen these problems and further lower the quality and stature of civil engineering, recruiting should be stopped and direct action taken to raise the quality of civil engineering students, graduates, and practice.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Ackerman, A. (1955). “Engineering education, an appraisal.” Civ. Engrg., 35(9), 47.
2.
“ASCE news.” (1989). Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 59(3), 83.
3.
Basta, B. (1990). “Civil engineers.” Graduating Engr., 11(4), 74.
4.
Carson, D. (1970). “Civil engineering today: A profession in crisis.” Civ. Engrg., 40(1), 48.
5.
Demand for engineers and technicians. (1966). Engineering Manpower Commission, New York, N.Y., 12.
6.
Dyckman, Z. (1965). Study of physicians' income. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Office of Research and Statistics, 10.
7.
Ehlers, J. (1955). “From the nation's capital.” Civ. Engrg., 35(3), 78.
8.
Ellis, R. (1988). “Engineering and engineering technology enrollments, 1987.” Engr. Education, 78(13), 51–54.
9.
Fuleo, N., and Dallaire, G. (1973). “Are more women needed in engineering?” Civ. Engrg., 43(5), 54.
10.
“Fundamentals of engineering (FE) examination review, 1986.” (1988). J. Prof. Issues Engrg., ASCE, 114(2), 173–191.
11.
Handbook of labor statistics. (1989). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D.C.
12.
“Job market recovery seen.” (1973). Civ. Engr., 43(1), 88.
13.
Jones, R. C. (1990). “Technical personnel shortages in construction industry.” J. Prof. Issues in Engrg., ASCE, 116(1), 16–26.
14.
Michael, H. L. (1989). “Attracting students to a professional career in transportation engineering.” Proc. of 75th Annual Road School, Purdue Univ., Mar. 7–9, 4–15.
15.
Placement of engineering and technology graduates 1977. (1977). Engrg. Manpower Commission, 13.
16.
“Professional Briefs.” (1973). Civ. Engrg., 43(8), 75.
17.
Professional income of engineers. (1956). Engrg. Manpower Commission, 25.
18.
“Professionally speaking.” (1982a). Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 52(7), 76.
19.
“Professionally speaking.” (1982b). Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 52(6), 82.
20.
“Project statement.” (1990). NCHRP Proj. No. 20‐24(3), Transp. Res. Board, Washington, D.C.
21.
Reuss, M. C., and Vogel, R. M. (1989). “Attracting today's youth to civil engineering.” J. Prof. Issues in Engrg., ASCE, 115(4), 363–368.
22.
Santayana, G. (1968). Birth of reason, Columbia University Press, New York, N.Y., 284.
23.
Smith, A. (1937). Wealth of nations. The Modern Library, New York, N.Y., 147.
24.
Statistical Abstracts of U.S. (1958). U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 320.
25.
Statistical Abstracts of U.S. (1959). U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 113.
26.
Statistical Abstracts of U.S. (1989). U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 117 • Issue 1 • January 1991
Pages: 10 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1991
Published in print: Jan 1991
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.