Why Don't Engineers Get Involved?

On engineering and apathy

by Tom Cudd

Since coming to school at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, I have noticed how wonderfully involved all the students on this campus can be. There always seem to be people who want to give that extra effort back to this community.

While there are many students from many majors who volunteer their time to academic as well as service organizations, most of those students are not engineers. Even while I type this out and try to think of the involved engineering students, I realize that those I can come up with are the anecdotal exception rather than the rule. There is an utter lack of College of Engineering & Technology students who maintain an active profile on this campus.

I remember that before I ever came to UNL, people would always ask me what I wanted to major in. Whenever I said computer engineering, I mostly heard, “There is a lot of money in that field,” or “You are never going to have trouble finding a job.” It never occurred to people that I might have actually enjoyed working with computers.

I fear that many of my colleagues have the same attitude that those teachers and guidance counselors expressed towards my future direction. (Now don’t get me wrong, my other choice was music, but since I liked computers and music equally, the one that could enhance my chances of success was the major that won out.)

Some people say that there is no such thing as a selfless act. While I do not intend to debate this issue, not many engineering students do much to benefit someone other than themselves. Engineering programs are some of the largest that UNL has to offer and I would venture a guess that they have some of the lowest involvement numbers. It seems that some engineers’ ideas of involvement include playing video games with their friends or… well that’s pretty much it. If playing video games IS your idea of involvement, then make a club out of it. Creating an organization here at UNL does a lot to teach someone about teamwork and organization.

If students feel that volunteering their time could only happen if it helps them, I would encourage those students to think of a few things first. Involvement in academic and service organizations can probably add as much to a resume as work-related experience in your discipline.

Employers know that a student is going to school to learn a subject; it’s whether or not a student can work with a team or communicate that really adds to the depth necessary in most engineering and technology environments. Keeping up membership with a certain group can indicate loyalty and dedication, some of the intangibles that can swing a job to a person with less technical experience and more personal experience.

And don’t forget, helping out feels good. If anything, join an organization to create that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. All I am trying to point out here is that in the long run, getting into the heart of the community has a long-lasting impact on you, those you have helped, and those who see a better image of this school. The College of Engineering & Technology needs you to help yourself by helping others.