... you're an engineer! Does 'ex' count?
Or do I still qualify as I still design and make things?
Dyson answers the call to fill a vacuum in British life
“But only 16 per cent of engineers are unhappy in their careers, compared with 44 per cent of journalists and 25 per cent of medics. We need to show it’s respectable to make money out of making things, not just shuffling money around.”
Showing posts with label ENGINEERING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ENGINEERING. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Civil unrest
Let engineers make Britain great again
In a quick scan through I think I saw the name 'Dilbert' there; one could do worse than sign up to Mr. Adams' daily bit of genius on the plight of engineers stateside.
I graduated with a Civ. Eng back in the lat 70's, but only on the strict understanding I didn't try and build anything people's lives depended on. Fair enough, and advertising has been mostly kind to me.
Of my graduating class, even back then I doubt more than 10% stayed in the profession for long, and those mostly the guys from the Far East. Almost all my mates ended up as Masters of the Universe in the City; not sure how that is working out now, mind.
I now busy myself with things of a planetary-positive nature, combining my science/engineering education with my media experiences to try and make the world a better place based on a principle I have dubbed the enviROI, basically a measure of how products or initiatives perform in a way that will actually make a positive difference to my kids' futures.
And I have to say that the lack of many... any with even a basic understanding of practical realities in senior government is a worry. And if they do have 'qualified' advisers, these guys don't seem very competent or vocal at setting them straight on what can... and can't work. And that often also includes saving money.
I seem to recall the 'unofficial' motto of either my college (Kings) or the profession was 'An engineer can do for a shilling what any other darn fool can do for a pound'.
Looking at the vast black holes being spun in the the world of green, all I see are targets, box-ticking and lobbyist-fueled agendas that would make any true engineer weep.
We're now in an era of process over product, and being seen to do rather than actually doing anything.
It's a house of cards on near zero foundations. I may not have been the best engineer, but I can see the result a mile off.
And that... really sucks.
In a quick scan through I think I saw the name 'Dilbert' there; one could do worse than sign up to Mr. Adams' daily bit of genius on the plight of engineers stateside.
I graduated with a Civ. Eng back in the lat 70's, but only on the strict understanding I didn't try and build anything people's lives depended on. Fair enough, and advertising has been mostly kind to me.
Of my graduating class, even back then I doubt more than 10% stayed in the profession for long, and those mostly the guys from the Far East. Almost all my mates ended up as Masters of the Universe in the City; not sure how that is working out now, mind.
I now busy myself with things of a planetary-positive nature, combining my science/engineering education with my media experiences to try and make the world a better place based on a principle I have dubbed the enviROI, basically a measure of how products or initiatives perform in a way that will actually make a positive difference to my kids' futures.
And I have to say that the lack of many... any with even a basic understanding of practical realities in senior government is a worry. And if they do have 'qualified' advisers, these guys don't seem very competent or vocal at setting them straight on what can... and can't work. And that often also includes saving money.
I seem to recall the 'unofficial' motto of either my college (Kings) or the profession was 'An engineer can do for a shilling what any other darn fool can do for a pound'.
Looking at the vast black holes being spun in the the world of green, all I see are targets, box-ticking and lobbyist-fueled agendas that would make any true engineer weep.
We're now in an era of process over product, and being seen to do rather than actually doing anything.
It's a house of cards on near zero foundations. I may not have been the best engineer, but I can see the result a mile off.
And that... really sucks.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Numbers games
I am on various forums. One threw up this link on nuclear: Warning over nuclear power sites
Before I knew it I was mouthing off...
'Could'. 'Significantly'?
I started life as a Civil Engineer. The unofficial motto was 'Civ. Eng's do for a shilling what any other idiot can do for a pound'.
I then went into advertising, mostly in Asia. The rule there was 'He who goes over approved estimate may dream fondly of getting any more out of client'.
Two different careers. One common theme. Budgeting ... and, without wishing to end up like the JLF in 'Life of Brian', time management (still boiled down to money).
Now, I never went near money in either. I made... make things. But at every stage of my career I have understood the need, and value of accurate estimates. Working with those who drew 'em up.
There were unforeseeables, inevitably. And that's why we had smart cookies figuring out the contingencies to negotiate the contracts, based on accurate parameters.
What the heck has happened?
From Wembley to the 2012 Olympics, it seems you pluck a number out the sky, halve it to win the contract, and then quadruple it so the lawyer fees look only slightly less in comparison.
When it comes to energy, especially nuclear and renewables, I am at a complete loss. With politics and subsidies and targets and agendas muddying and already murky mix.
Black is white. Green is red. Up is down.
As a consumer I just want things quick, cheap, fast and reliable. If I am so minded, I might now throw some ethics in the mix. Those factors are all a juggle. A unit of 'leccy is not very sexy, so I could care less how it arrives or from whom.
Hence, in opting for my supply, I need to know how much, for how long, how often and how well. With some sense on carbon consequences if I feel in the mood to trade some gr££n for some green. Weighing all the options.
It would be nice to have clear, simple charts showing what is front loaded or back loaded, what is more secure because of investment, or what goes into payback and when for the same reason. So I can asses £/kW over a defined set of periods. And if there is a dirty great big plummet (in supply) or soar (in cost) about when my kids are plugging in my blanket because the systems are going off line (decommissioning or exploding gearboxes), I want that in there too. Because it's not fair on them and dumb for me not to be aware.
Now, why is getting that so hard? Or are the massed voices of lobbyists and activists just drowning out any sane long term information (which just must be out there), at least as far as any media I read seems capable of sharing.
It has come to something that I consider our government at best incompetent (what Minister on 6-month rotation could understand the issues) if not corrupt (what MP is going to do what's right today but get 'em bounced tomorrow?), and our media incapable (are there any qualified science reporters any more?) if not venal (ratings trump all), and hence not to be trusted in helping the public understand what it is facing and arrive at a consensus that it will support to drive through what is best for now... and the future.
Before I knew it I was mouthing off...
'Could'. 'Significantly'?
I started life as a Civil Engineer. The unofficial motto was 'Civ. Eng's do for a shilling what any other idiot can do for a pound'.
I then went into advertising, mostly in Asia. The rule there was 'He who goes over approved estimate may dream fondly of getting any more out of client'.
Two different careers. One common theme. Budgeting ... and, without wishing to end up like the JLF in 'Life of Brian', time management (still boiled down to money).
Now, I never went near money in either. I made... make things. But at every stage of my career I have understood the need, and value of accurate estimates. Working with those who drew 'em up.
There were unforeseeables, inevitably. And that's why we had smart cookies figuring out the contingencies to negotiate the contracts, based on accurate parameters.
What the heck has happened?
From Wembley to the 2012 Olympics, it seems you pluck a number out the sky, halve it to win the contract, and then quadruple it so the lawyer fees look only slightly less in comparison.
When it comes to energy, especially nuclear and renewables, I am at a complete loss. With politics and subsidies and targets and agendas muddying and already murky mix.
Black is white. Green is red. Up is down.
As a consumer I just want things quick, cheap, fast and reliable. If I am so minded, I might now throw some ethics in the mix. Those factors are all a juggle. A unit of 'leccy is not very sexy, so I could care less how it arrives or from whom.
Hence, in opting for my supply, I need to know how much, for how long, how often and how well. With some sense on carbon consequences if I feel in the mood to trade some gr££n for some green. Weighing all the options.
It would be nice to have clear, simple charts showing what is front loaded or back loaded, what is more secure because of investment, or what goes into payback and when for the same reason. So I can asses £/kW over a defined set of periods. And if there is a dirty great big plummet (in supply) or soar (in cost) about when my kids are plugging in my blanket because the systems are going off line (decommissioning or exploding gearboxes), I want that in there too. Because it's not fair on them and dumb for me not to be aware.
Now, why is getting that so hard? Or are the massed voices of lobbyists and activists just drowning out any sane long term information (which just must be out there), at least as far as any media I read seems capable of sharing.
It has come to something that I consider our government at best incompetent (what Minister on 6-month rotation could understand the issues) if not corrupt (what MP is going to do what's right today but get 'em bounced tomorrow?), and our media incapable (are there any qualified science reporters any more?) if not venal (ratings trump all), and hence not to be trusted in helping the public understand what it is facing and arrive at a consensus that it will support to drive through what is best for now... and the future.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ay Trace, wot's 'n eng'nier do?
Dunno Shaz, summat to do wiv drivin' trains?
This from EnvironmentTimes highlights the lack of awareness amongst teenagers of Engineering as a career.
"Ninety per cent of 14 and 15 year olds know little or nothing about careers in engineering and technology, a study by Europe's largest professional society for engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), has revealed."
At a time when it looks as if some fairly hefty engineering projects are going to happen along (Severn barrage, expanding the Thames tidal barrier etc.) I find that really disheartening: And its probably a sad reflection of the state of our current education system too.
This from EnvironmentTimes highlights the lack of awareness amongst teenagers of Engineering as a career.
"Ninety per cent of 14 and 15 year olds know little or nothing about careers in engineering and technology, a study by Europe's largest professional society for engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), has revealed."
At a time when it looks as if some fairly hefty engineering projects are going to happen along (Severn barrage, expanding the Thames tidal barrier etc.) I find that really disheartening: And its probably a sad reflection of the state of our current education system too.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Why skilled engineers make perfect leaders
Amen!
Peter Martin, Junkk Male, Big 'Ed, top 40 producer, ad agency owner CD... and BSc Civ. Eng (Hons - so long as I promised not to try and build anything)
Times - The world’s your oyster
Times - Professional development
Times - Making a difference
Times - Engineering a solution
I left Uni 25 years ago with a BSc Civ. Eng.
A combination of happy factors took me through advertising and
music production to an ideal career now trying to save the planet
through science AND the art of persuasion, via branding, reward and
incentive.
However, it was rather sad then (and I'm not so sure it's too different
now) that of a graduating class of around 35, less than 10% remained
directly in the profession. And most of (well, 3 and a half of them) were
not spanning the Humber or building dams bestride a mighty D10. A
two-up two-down in Slough was more the speed. So good careers
planning and management of graduate expectations is still critical I'd say.
Mind you, most of my mates are now 'Masters of the Universe' in the
City (bit of a black sheep, me),so something must have worked out
well, if not perhaps for our culture of innovation in actually making
tangible 'things' any more. But as Mr. Dyson has proven, it's hard to
design them and sell them if you don't know how to make them.
Peter Martin, Junkk Male, Big 'Ed, top 40 producer, ad agency owner CD... and BSc Civ. Eng (Hons - so long as I promised not to try and build anything)
Times - The world’s your oyster
Times - Professional development
Times - Making a difference
Times - Engineering a solution
I left Uni 25 years ago with a BSc Civ. Eng.
A combination of happy factors took me through advertising and
music production to an ideal career now trying to save the planet
through science AND the art of persuasion, via branding, reward and
incentive.
However, it was rather sad then (and I'm not so sure it's too different
now) that of a graduating class of around 35, less than 10% remained
directly in the profession. And most of (well, 3 and a half of them) were
not spanning the Humber or building dams bestride a mighty D10. A
two-up two-down in Slough was more the speed. So good careers
planning and management of graduate expectations is still critical I'd say.
Mind you, most of my mates are now 'Masters of the Universe' in the
City (bit of a black sheep, me),so something must have worked out
well, if not perhaps for our culture of innovation in actually making
tangible 'things' any more. But as Mr. Dyson has proven, it's hard to
design them and sell them if you don't know how to make them.
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