ENGR 4109 Senior Seminar

Professor Miqdadi UT at Tyler Houston Engineering Center

Lecture 1

� Professionalism � Engineers as professionals � Engineering ethics and obligations

What is Professionalism? •  Dressing nice? •  Looking good? •  Having a degree and being educated? �  Having a license / certification? �  Being a member of professional associations? �  Having high social prestige?

“The skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well” (Merriam Webster)

Engineers are Professionals

� A professional is a member of a profession (earns his/her living from a specified activity)

� Professionals get education and training that prepare them with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role of that profession.

� Professionals are subject to strict codes of ethics and obligations.

� Professionals act in professional manner.

Professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes

1) Specialized Knowledge: professionals have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible.

2) Competency (the ability to do something successfully or efficiently):

Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. They don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions.

3) Honesty and Integrity: They keep their word, and they can be trusted. They never compromise their values. They are humble: if a job falls outside their scope of expertise, they're not afraid

to admit this. They ask for help when they need it, and they're willing to learn from others.

4) Accountability: Professionals hold themselves accountable for their thoughts, words, and actions, especially when they've made a mistake.

5) Self-Regulation: Professionals stay professional under pressure.

�  Instead of getting upset or angry, they exhibit true professionalism by maintaining a calm, business-like demeanor.

�  They show respect for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation.

�  NO GOSSIP

6) Image: Professionals are polished, and they dress appropriately for the situation. They are nice to others, and they smile. Because of this, they are confident, and they gain respect for this.

Professional at work

� http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/07/22/what-does-it-mean-to-be-professional-at-work

Unprofessionalism

� https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH68B5j9kZE

Engineering Ethics

� Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering.

� The field examines and sets the obligations by engineers to society, to their clients, and to the profession.

�  In the United States growing professionalism gave rise to the development of four founding engineering societies:

1)  The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) (1851)

2)  The American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) (1884) (now IEEE)

3)  The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (1880)

4)  The American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME) (1871)

�  By the beginning of the 20th century, there had been series of significant structural failures (bridges, river roads…)

�  These had a profound effect on engineers and forced the profession to confront shortcomings in technical and construction practice, as well as ethical standards.

�  One response was the development of formal codes of ethics by three of the four founding engineering societies: AIEE adopted theirs in 1912. ASCE and ASME did so in 1914

�  Civil Engineers: �  http://www.asce.org/code-of-ethics/ �  Mechanical Engineers: �  https://www.asme.org/getmedia/9EB36017-

FA98-477E-8A73-77B04B36D410/P157_Ethics.aspx �  Electrical Engineers: �  http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/

p7-8.html �  Professional Engineers: �  http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics

ASCE Code of Ethics

ASCE Code of Ethics �  First Canon ◦  Paramount is the safety, health, and welfare of the

public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development ◦ The public welfare: Prosperity (economical

projects) and happiness (successful completion of a project)

�  Second Canon ◦  Perform services only in areas of competence.

Others more qualified must be called upon to provide service beyond experiences

ASCE Code of Ethics �  Third Canon ◦  Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner

�  Fourth Canon ◦  Act in a professional manner (faithful agent must be frank and open

with the employer and client. Don’t violate the other canons to please them) ◦  Avoid conflicts of interest (in the eyes of the public, any gift maybe seen

as an attempt to gain favors (In the public’s view perception is reality) �  Fifth Canon ◦  Build their professional reputation on the merit of their service

(cheating is unethical) ◦  Avoid unfair competition (example: request to review the work of

another engineering firm)

ASCE Code of Ethics �  Sixth Canon ◦  Uphold and enhance honor, integrity, and dignity of the

profession (treat the others with the same courtesy that you would expect from them, and behave such that the credibility of your work is not jeopardized)

�  Seventh Canon ◦  Continue professional development ◦  Provide opportunities for professional development of

those engineers under their supervision

Discussion Question #1

The professional organization that you belong to has been offered the opportunity to meet in the facilities of a local casino free of charge. As the person in charge of arrangements, what action would you recommend to the executive committee of your organization. (NB: Think ASCE Code of Ethics)

Discussion Question #2 The city engineer has called your firm to ask that you review the design of a sewer that has periodic flooding. The design was performed by another consulting firm in the community. What actions should you take before accepting the job? (NB: Think ASCE Code of Ethics)

Online sources

� http://www.merriam-webster.com � http://www.mindtools.com � http://money.usnews.com � https://www.wikipedia.org