Answer to 'What is a Civil Engineer?'

[Phobos]

Just wanted to share this tidbit since the Civil Eng forum died of loneliness.

[H]ow many of your neighbors would know the answer the question ‘What is a civil engineer’? I suspect the majority would not. Yet civil engineers are probably the most important people in the world and should be among the best known. The answer to this question is that civil engineers improve the quality of life. We plan, design, build, and maintain the world’s infrastructure: roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment plants, dams, power plants, offshore platforms, and the like.”

(quote by Patricia Galloway, from her acceptance speech in becoming the 1st woman president of ASCE at the 2003 Civil Engineering Conference and Exposition held in Nashville Tennessee, 11/15/03)

The "most important people in the world" bit is a little over the top...but the point remains valid. Drinking water treatment alone should be high on everyone's list of things to be thankful for.

 

[eberg]

A well respected cohort whom I work with once said while driving along the highway:

"Look out the window and everything you see is created by either an engineer or God"

Made me laugh and it's a pretty bold statement, but really most of the things you see today, at some point an engineer is involved like in cars, buildings, water towers, roads, etc.

 

[ravenprp]

Thank you for sharing this information and quote about civil engineers. I completely agree that they are often underappreciated and not well known by the general public. Yet, as Patricia Galloway points out, they play a crucial role in improving our daily lives through the design and maintenance of vital infrastructure. From clean drinking water to safe roads and bridges, civil engineers are responsible for ensuring the safety and functionality of our communities. It's important for us to recognize and appreciate their contributions to society.