Anchorage Daily News

The engineering profession needs a few good men and women. Actually we need quite a few. If you've seen the news lately, you know that much of our road, water and sewer infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life, and government efforts are under way to help reinforce that infrastructure while creating jobs.

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Tim Gallagher is a professional engineer and Alaska marketing manager for HDR Engineering in Anchorage.

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This means engineers are needed now more than ever, yet a perfect storm is brewing and we may not have enough engineers to meet demand. Nearly 30 percent of the workers holding engineering and science degrees are age 50 or older and are expected to retire within the next 15 years. Yet the number of bachelor's degrees awarded in engineering has dropped nationwide by nearly 20 percent since 1985.

The American Council of Engineering Companies and other professional organizations are hoping to turn this around. Not just because we need engineers, but because engineering is both a satisfying profession and a good way to earn a living. The average entry-level starting salary range across the country is approximately $36,500 to $50,000.

Engineering is satisfying because engineers make a positive difference in our quality of life. Yet engineering typically has not been viewed as a helping profession, but rather the province of nerds and geeks who love math and science. How better to help your community than by providing a safer road, greener building or cleaner drinking water, while taking care to protect wildlife that might be affected by your design?

At my firm, HDR, what we hear from our young engineering hires dovetails with what researchers found when they interviewed high school students, particularly young women. They want to make a decent living, but they also want to make a difference, and they want to connect with people.

Yes, you do need math and science skills if you want to be an engineer. But you might be surprised by what a people profession it is. You are communicating with your clients and colleagues all the time (or you should be). You may be called upon to communicate with the public as well, to explain why a certain site was chosen for a road or a water treatment plant or solid waste facility, or to explain how your design works. Teamwork and people skills are as critical as science and math skills.

Now there is financial help available for those wishing to pursue a degree in engineering. On July 1, 2008, Congress approved the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which includes a new program designed to address labor shortages in engineering and other "high need" professions. Under the law, a person will be eligible for up to $2,000 in student loan forgiveness for each of five years of work in engineering or other designated fields. The maximum amount of loan forgiveness available to an individual is $10,000.

So whether you're a student wondering how you can make a difference while still earning a good living, or a parent or teacher trying to guide a student toward a satisfying career, remember engineering is a great choice.

Tim Gallagher is a professional engineer and Alaska marketing manager for HDR Engineering in Anchorage, www.hdrinc.com.

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