Page 2 March 4th,1999
Updated: Dec 15th, 2001

What Kinds of Work do Engineers do :

* Engineers do practical hands-on engineering to management types of work. They work in
an academic environment, production environment or as a field engineer.

* They spend time solving day to day problems. But it is primarily a mental activity rather
than a physical activity.

* The type of activity applicable to all engineering fields is problem-solving.
The most valuable skill is the ability to apply problem-solving techniques to
any type of problem. This may account for why engineers rise to leadership roles.

* Whatever engineering is chosen, your activities may involve some or all of the following :
analysis, evaluation, research, development, design, construction, production planning,
operations, sales and management.

* Development work may lead to specific designs. This always requires planning,
scheduling, supervision and management.

* Engineers find themselves in all industries : federal, provincial, municipal governments,
institutions, construction, consulting, mining, petroleum, food, transportation,
wood products, iron & steel, chemical, public services, public utilities, teaching in
universities, colleges, and secondary schools.

* Many engineers end up practising in fields other than they studied in.

* From this it is east to see that engineering is a stepping stone to many exciting
career opportunities.

How do You Prepare for Engineering :

* Need 6 OAC (Ontario Academic Credits) to get into engineering.
* Need to study Avanced Math and Advanced Sciences in grades 9-12.
* Algebra & Geometery OAC
* Calculus OAC
* Physics OAC
* Chemistry OAC
* English OAC
* Biology OAC, Economics OAC
* Interpersonal skills and writing clearly are also important.

Obtain and have at home an Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Teachers and
students should get acquainted with this web site : http://www.glencoe.com . The best
books to have as reference for the Introductory Engineer is the B.E.S.T series (Basic
Engineering Series and Tools) , http://www.mhhe.com/engcs/general/best .
There are 12 universities in Ontario. Contact the several universities and request them
to mail you their Engineering Program Brochures, with course descriptions, time tables,
and costs. Also request free information on enterance requirements, and application forms.
Which university is chosen is mostly a personal choice with economic considerations.
OSAP(Ontario Student Assistance Program), APEO's Foundation for Education and
Science Culture Canada scholarships are availabe to assist financially.

Job Prospects and Changes in the Field of Engineering :

* The field of engineering is constantly changing and any engineer must work at
keeping current.

* Engineering is a growth profession

* Engineers can do only engineering work or they can branch into other areas as law,
business or medicine.

* Engineers are salaried professionals and starting salaries in Canada today are about
$35,000/yr .

How do You become an Engineer :

To qualify as a Professional Engineer you must fullfill the requirements of Education,
Experience, and you must pass a 3 hour PEO exam on engineering law and ethics.

The academic portion of the licensing requirement is fulfilled by graduating from a
University program accredited by the CEAB ( Canadian Engineering Accredation Board).
Or graduates from other programs are required to complete a series of technical exams
administered by the PEO .

The experience requirement requires you to work in the engineering departament of a
company for at least four years. Or you should have technical experience for four years
that is approved in writing by the PEO. This experience must be verifed in writing by
two engineers who are currently members of the PEO and one technical manager or
engineering manager.

PEO it's Function and Organization :

PEO(Professional Engineers of Ontario), was created by the provincial government to protect
the public by enforcing the Professional Engineers Act.
In Ontario the Attorney General is responsible for the Professional Engineers Act. The PEO
64,000 members, governs the practise of engineering. It is mandated to protect the public.
It governs by :

* Setting standards for admission and practise. And it enforces these standards through
disciplinary action. It also enforces action agains't non-licensed practioners.

* Managing and administring PEO affairs by :
--Setting strategic direction
-- Creating policy
-- Making and monitoring decisions with respect to the PE act

There is a partnership between PEO and the Deans of Ontario Universities and the COU
(Council of Ontario Universities). But they still answere to the provincial government.

Committees Task Groups Local Chapters
(27) (39)
---------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------

Address contuining needs Study issues By geographic region
e.g. Discipline Committee Make recommendations provide a local presence
Executive Committee
*new: National Representatives
Forum: (on CCPE)

CCPE : Canadian Council of Professional Engineers & it's Organization

Established in 1936 to deliver programs to ensure high standards of
engineering : Education, Professional Qualifications, Ethical Conduct.
Also offers special financial programs and insurance to engineers.

It has no regulatory authority over the engineering profession. It is
governed by a board of directors, and it's members are representatives
(eg. PEO's National Representatives Forum, a committee), from each of the
provinces. They are volunteer representatives.
Reporting to the gouverning board of directors are four committess:

a) CEAB : Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, 1965 :
Validates or accredits Undergraduate Engineering Programs
b) CEQB : Canadian Engineering Qualification Board : National guidelines
on the qualifications required for admission to the profession,
and Standards of Practice, and Ethics. This includes Foreign
Educational requirements.
c) CERB : Canadian Engineering Resources Board : Conducts National Research
with canadian universities and members, to identify trends &
demographics.(Engineering Work in Canada Research Project).

d) CEIB : Canadian Engineering International Board: Enhancement of
International Awareness, and understanding of canadian
licensing requirements.

e) New committee : Emerging Science & Technology Committee :
Examining emerging technologies, software engineering,
bioengineering, environmental engineering, etc.

Conclusion :

It's amazing, professional engineering is all around you from computers, cars, to baby seats
and blow dryers. Everyone is in touch with the work of a professional engineer.
The practise of professional engineering is there to ensure that we are safe.
Engineering is always expanding to tackle new challenges, and meet people's needs.
Math and science are expertly used to put materials to work for our benefit.
And engineering is in sports, amusements, music, agriculture, roads, telecommunications,
and computers.

Good engineering for canadians means that we are looking ahead to meet the needs and
challenges of tomorrow. We live in an era of fundamental social, and economic realignment.
A time of change, unlike anything since the Industrial Revolution. And canadians can expect
to see even more astounding changes over the next ten years.

Websites of Interest

1. http://www.schoolnet.ca ......................The Schoolnet Website

2. http://www.osc.on.ca ......................The Ontario Science Centre

3. http://www. tvo.org ...........................The TVO TV Station

4. http://www.science-tech.nmstc.ca ..National Museum of Science and Technology

5. http://nyselabs.kcts.org ...................... Bill Nye the science guy

6. http://www.ncf.carleton.ca ................The National Capital Freenet

7. http://www.ccpe.ca ............Canadian Council of Professional Engineers

8. http://www.peo.on.ca ............Professional Engineers of Ontario

9. http://www.acec.ca ..........Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada

10. http://www.eic-ici.ca .................Engineering Institute of Canada

11. http://www.ceo.on.ca ................Consulting Engineers of Ontario

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENGINEERING AREAS OF STUDY

1. Aerospace Engineering 6. Electrical Engineering

2. Biomedical Engineering 7. Environmental Engineering

3. Chemical Engineering 8. Industrial Engineering

4. Civil Engineering 9. Mechanical Engineering

5. Computer Engineering 10. Mining Engineering

************************************The End***********************************************************

Click here to return to the main page : Main Page