Order of the Engineer
Encyclopedia
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that emphasizes pride and responsibility in the engineering profession. It was inspired by the success of The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is a ritual for students about to graduate from an engineering program at a university in Canada. Participation may also be permitted for Canadian professional engineers and registered engineers-in-training who received training elsewhere. The ritual is...
, a similar Canadian ceremony, and is a common presence in American engineering schools. Before joining, members must take an oath to abide by a code of ethics called The Obligation of an Engineer:
- I am an engineer, in my profession I take deep pride.
- To it I owe solemn obligations.
- Since the stone age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius.
- Engineers have made usable nature's vast resources of material and energy for humanity's benefit.
- Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology.
- Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.
- As an engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance, and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth's precious wealth.
- As an engineer, I shall participate in none but honest enterprises.
- When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good.
- In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.
- - The Obligation of the Engineer
Members are given a stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
ring called the Engineer's Ring
Engineer's Ring
The Engineer's Ring is a ring worn by members of the Order of the Engineer, which is an association for engineers in the USA . The ring is a plain stainless steel band worn on the little finger of the working hand...
. The ring is worn on the little finger so that it will drag across any surface on which the wearer writes, providing a constant reminder of the engineer's oath.
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
's Fenn College of Engineering. Now, almost all states have universities with chapters, called "links", that host the Order of the Engineer. Several engineering organizations also host links such as NSPE, United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
, and ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
. During the ceremony engineering graduates take the Obligation of the Order. After each member takes the obligation they are awarded the ring while putting their hands through a big ring and having a member of the Order of the Engineer put the ring on the little finger of the dominant hand. Each inductee takes the obligation, signs a certificate of obligation and wears the ring to show their pride in the Order and as a symbol of their Obligation to the Profession and the Public. Often friends and family join the new initiates for a time of celebration together after the Ceremony.
Early attempts to extend The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer
The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is a ritual for students about to graduate from an engineering program at a university in Canada. Participation may also be permitted for Canadian professional engineers and registered engineers-in-training who received training elsewhere. The ritual is...
to the United States were unsuccessful due to complications including copyright issues.
See also
- EngineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
- EngineeringEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
- Engineering ethicsEngineering ethicsEngineering 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...
- Engineer's RingEngineer's RingThe Engineer's Ring is a ring worn by members of the Order of the Engineer, which is an association for engineers in the USA . The ring is a plain stainless steel band worn on the little finger of the working hand...
- Iron RingIron RingThe Iron Ring is a ring worn by many engineers in Canada as a symbol and reminder of the obligations and ethics associated with the profession. Obtaining the ring is an optional endeavour, as it is not a prerequisite to becoming a Professional Engineer...
- National Society of Professional EngineersNational Society of Professional EngineersThe National Society of Professional Engineers is a professional engineering organization in the United States. From their press releases:...
- The Ritual of the Calling of an EngineerThe Ritual of the Calling of an EngineerThe Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is a ritual for students about to graduate from an engineering program at a university in Canada. Participation may also be permitted for Canadian professional engineers and registered engineers-in-training who received training elsewhere. The ritual is...