THE BATTALION.
32
THE MAKING OF AN ENGINEER.
We each see this world from a differ
ent point, though all see the same gen
eral scene; the details and scope of view
vary according to our particular posi
tion. Not only this, but each of us looks
through a colored glass which gives a
personal tint to the scene, colored by our
personal temperament.
Then to have our thoughts coincident
on this subject we must look through the
same glass, or agree on the same defini
tion of the word “engineer.” Accepting
Tredgold’s in the broad sense of “One
who is skilled in the application of the
material and processes of nature to the
uses of man,” what a vast field is to be
covered. Experiences of the age in which
we live have shown that every other
scientific field is tributary to him and his
work.
A theory that was abstracted but yes
terday is demonstrated to-day, and ap
plied to the uses of man to-morrow by
the engineer. The continually increasing
number of new discoveries in both prac
tice and theory daily increase the respon
sibility of the engineer.
Some of these discoveries burst upon
us suddenly; others require the age of
time for their application. This very
change is illustrated daily, for the de
velopment of our manufacturing estab
lishments has brought with it the im
portance and positive necessity of em
ploying skilled engineers to conduct the
technical affairs. Also from these in
dustries we see the difference in the du
ties of an engineer—we find the engineer
of the user, and the engineer of the
maker.
While at school and then in college the
young engineer is unable to see before
him what duties he may have to perform
in life. Hence it is almost impossible
for the scientific schools to turn out men
who can take any and every problem that
may* confront them and work it out to
its best uses. The experience for this
must be accumulated slowly while at
work. There may also be new practices
that his education has never touched
upon; necessarily it takes time for the
development of new practices and theo
ries, then their publication and adoption
by the educational staff.
To the young man whose intentions are
to become an engineer—C. E., E. E., or
M. E.—I should say, he has the widest
field that science presents to the ambi
tious and industrious mind wherein to
acquire honor and wealth. However, he
should never forget for one moment that
success depends upon no one so much as
it does upon himself. For although so
great his field, it may be greatly nar
rowed by indolence and lack of applica
tion.
The most important thing in life is
to make a good start, by carefully de
termining what one’s capabilities best fit
him for. Do not reckon on chance, but
set your aim high. If Providence then
sees fit to raise or lower it, we may fol
low. ICON., ’01.