{"id":5006,"date":"2019-02-14T06:23:34","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T14:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.plm.automation.siemens.com\/t5\/Solid-Edge-Blog\/Things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-engineers\/ba-p\/567274"},"modified":"2026-03-26T07:15:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T11:15:51","slug":"things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-engineers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-engineers\/","title":{"rendered":"Things you probably didn&#8217;t know about engineers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><P><\/p>\n<div class=\"lia-vid-container video-embed-center\">\n<div id=\"lia-vid-BzZzg5aDE6R_IANCmMNe_CF4ltoUojttw596h336r118\" class=\"lia-video-ooyala-player-container\"><\/div>\n<p><script>LITHIUM.OoyalaPlayer.addVideo('https:\/\/player.ooyala.com\/static\/v4\/production\/', 'lia-vid-BzZzg5aDE6R_IANCmMNe_CF4ltoUojttw596h336r118', 'BzZzg5aDE6R_IANCmMNe_CF4ltoUojtt', {\"pcode\":\"sxdjkxOluLl_gSQrV57FiGraFE2-\",\"playerBrandingId\":\"ODI0MmQ3NjNhYWVjODliZTgzY2ZkMDdi\",\"width\":\"596px\",\"height\":\"336px\"});<\/script><a class=\"video-embed-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.plm.automation.siemens.com\/t5\/video\/gallerypage\/video-id\/BzZzg5aDE6R_IANCmMNe_CF4ltoUojtt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(view in My Videos)<\/a><\/div>\n<p><\/P><\/p>\n<p><H2>&nbsp;<\/H2><br \/>\n<H2>Engineers solve problems.<\/H2><\/p>\n<p><P>Did you know the word &#8220;engineer&#8221; comes from a Latin word meaning cleverness?<\/P><br \/>\n<P>Engineers learn how things work, solve problems, and you use their deep knowledge to create solutions that enhance\u2014and even save\u2014lives.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>The field changes rapidly, especially in the Digital Age, providing new opportunities for engineers to grow professionally, be creative, and make a difference in the world. For these and other reasons, many engineers wouldn&#8217;t dream of doing anything else.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>As Professor John Hennessy, President of Stanford University, notes, \u201cengineers solve problems. They do so through the creation and deployment of new knowledge and technologies to create cost-effective solutions, often to the most demanding problems the world faces.\u201d<\/P><\/p>\n<p><H2>Engineers shape our future.<\/H2><\/p>\n<p><P>The world is in the middle of an era of unprecedented change. In this world, engineers have some of the highest job security of any profession. And that is both exciting and challenging.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>Governments face many pressing issues, from delivering a zero-carbon economy to addressing the issues created by population growth and urbanization.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>For many businesses, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is providing <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/solutions\/products\/complete-product-development-portfolio\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">new opportunities to develop innovative products<\/A> that will work for the good of all.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>It is important to recognize that there is no cure-all fix that will resolve the problems we face. Rather, it&#8217;s many solutions and clever minds working together that&#8217;ll enable sustained change. Uncovering practical, realistic solutions requires a firm focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/en\/about_us\/events_webinars\/solid-edge-university\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">science-led engineering<\/A>, hard work and an appreciation of facts.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><H2>Engineers make the world happy, healthy and safe.<\/H2><\/p>\n<p><P>While some people study engineering who might have been better at something else, many people who could make good engineers miss the opportunity because they don&#8217;t know what engineers do.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>Engineers love to <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/solutions\/users\/designers-and-engineers\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">solve big problems<\/A>. They get turned on by engineering challenges to world issues, not just technological issues.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><UL><br \/>\n<LI>How do we <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/resource\/customer-story\/cad-cam\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">provide clean water to large populations in a sustainable way<\/A>?<\/LI><br \/>\n<LI>Can we provide <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/resource\/customer-story\/cad-cam\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">natural methods to remove toxic pollutants in many of the world\u2019s harbors<\/A> without harming fish stocks?<\/LI><br \/>\n<LI>Can we find <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/resource\/customer-story\/solid-edge-simulation\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">sustainable sources of energy<\/A> to replace fossil fuels?<\/LI><br \/>\n<\/UL><\/p>\n<p><P><a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/solutions\/products\/electrical-design\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Semiconductor processing<\/A>, for example, is highly populated by electrical engineers, but its basis is in physics and chemistry. Other areas include optics (as applied to communications), <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/industries\/aerospace-supply-chain-software\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">aerospace engineering<\/A>, and even life sciences. Many people don&#8217;t realize that a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/industries\/medical-devices\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">biomedical devices<\/A> are actually just electrical devices that can be designed by any electrical engineer. Engineers work on everything from drones and theme parks, to running shoes and special effects for movies.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>The future of our world, and the solutions that spur happiness, health and safety, depend on the <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/industries\/academic\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">young minds considering technical careers, their teachers and mentors, and the industry leaders<\/A> who work with the academic community.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><H2>Engineers take humanity further.<\/H2><\/p>\n<p><P>All over the world, engineering holds the key to human progress. Yet, while recognising the sector\u2019s role in powering innovation and creating today\u2019s technology-based society, the world is also looking to engineers to do more when it comes to solving the planet\u2019s most pressing problems. Engineers could and should lead the way in building a better, more sustainable world of tomorrow in areas like renewable energy, transport infrastructure, healthcare, reducing social inequality, and data security.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>The good news is that it can be done. Professor Choon Fong Shih (National University of Singapore) notes, \u201cone of the most encouraging findings of the<I> <\/I><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qeprize.org\/report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\"><I>QEPrize Create the Future Report<\/I><\/A> is its highlighting of the faith the general public place in engineers and engineering to deliver changes which will be of great benefit to society. As engineers we must all be mindful of this responsibility. People are looking to us to solve the world\u2019s problems.\u201d<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>People are united in their respect for the engineering sector\u2019s positive influence on society in the past. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.qeprize.org\/report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\">9 in 10 people<\/A> believe engineering can provide <a href=\"https:\/\/solidedge.siemens.com\/en\/solutions\/products\/complete-product-development-portfolio\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">solutions to the environmental, social and infrastructure challenges of the future<\/A>, as shown in the table below by World Economic Forum (2018).<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P><span class=\"lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-inline\" style=\"width: 999px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/Fig-6-e1446035646227-1024x629-1.jpg\" alt=\"Fig-6-e1446035646227-1024x629.jpg\" title=\"Fig-6-e1446035646227-1024x629.jpg\" \/><\/span><\/P><br \/>\n<P><FONT size=\"2\">Source: <EM>Create the Future Report<\/EM>, World Economic Forum &#8;(2018)<\/FONT><\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>While the current role of engineering is seen as inspiring new innovations, people are calling for a drastic shift in focus, with \u201csolving the world\u2019s problems\u201d moving from 7th place in roles for engineering in the present, to 1st place for roles for engineering in the future.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>There is faith in engineering to solve the world\u2019s problems. And there is particular faith in engineering in solving environmental and infrastructure challenges. Professor Juergen Maier, Chief Executive of Siemens Pic writes, \u201cI passionately believe that engineering holds the key to a better tomorrow. To see people\u2019s faith in innovation and engineering as the future number one driver to solving the world\u2019s problems is inspiring and also challenging.\u201d<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>Within the next 20 years, people want to see engineering improve energy and healthcare. Bob Dudley, Chief Executive Officer at BP, highlights this critical need: \u201cMore energy is required to lift millions from poverty. Yet we need energy to have less environmental impact. Resolving that paradox is one of the great missions of this century.\u201d<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>Globally, people are optimistic about what engineering can achieve in the next 20 years. 75 percent beleive engineering will improve renewable energy and advance computer technology. More than half think engineering will improve issues ranging from infrastructure challenges to healthcare to making agriculture more sustainable to addressing climate change.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><H2>It&#8217;s time to #ThinkLikeAnEngineer.<\/H2><\/p>\n<p><P>If you knew the things listed in this post already, good for you. Now go share them with people you know considering engineering as a profession.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P>And if you didn&#8217;t know, no need to worry. We&#8217;ve got you covered.<\/P><\/p>\n<p><P><a href=\"http:\/\/siemens.com\/plm\/thinklikeanengineer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\">Discover how free Solid Edge software can help prepare future engineers.<\/A><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p> Engineers solve problems. <\/p>\n<p> Did you know the word &#8220;engineer&#8221; comes from a Latin word meaning cleverness?<br \/>\n Engineers learn how things work, solve problems, and you use thei&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30919,"featured_media":5007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"industry":[],"product":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-5006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/Fig-6-e1446035646227-1024x629.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5006","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30919"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5006"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5006\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5010,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5006\/revisions\/5010"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5006"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5006"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5006"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=5006"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=5006"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/solidedge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5006"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}