[Max Lobovsky]

Let me start by saying that I had a similar discussion via PMs with Ken Wittlief a few months ago about how its bad to trivialize the title engineer and I completely agreed with him. I am also the son of a PE and I think I have a pretty good grasp of the work involved in reaching that status.

I think two slightly different meanings of "engineer" are being discussed. One who engineers, and one whose profession is engineering. As stated by engineers in this thread, many people "engineer" and do not have the honor of being engineers by profession or title. It would be imporper to call them an engineer because that is not their trade. In the US, it can be your trade only if you are certified. I don't think there is anything wrong with saying someone did engineering work even if they aren't certified.

Though Astronouth is guilty of the same trivializing that I was, I'd like to point out that he never actually called himself an engineer, and all the righteous "if a 15 year old bla bla bla" is a bit out of place. I think the most important thing you can gather from his post is that he does respect the degree and the work an engineer has to go through because as he said, he realizes that that usually makes the more qualified person for the job.

Because I know some people will take this the wrong way, I ask you to please read this post in its entirety if you care to reply.

-Max (aspiring engineer/physicist)