4 ms·

Computer engineer here, with the US equivalent of the ring. I'm also a software developer, but my resume says software engineer, because that's the name of the

by lfowles 12y ago

Computer engineer here, with the US equivalent of the ring. I'm also a software developer, but my resume says software engineer, because that's the name of the position I hold at work. I'm always a little confused why people are so touchy about the word "engineer". Here, at least, there is a very clear distinction between the word "engineer" and engineers who sign off on projects. It's not like there are thousands of resumes out there purporting to have a Software PE license. I'd appreciate if someone can clear up any misconceptions I have about PE licensing, especially as it applies to other countries.

bkirwi 12y ago
In Canada, as I understand it, it's illegal to refer to yourself as an engineer / a position as an engineering position unless you have Real Engineering Credentials. So a lot of the touchiness is just the usual sensitivity you find around a legal issue.
- snowwindwaves 12y ago
  it is the term "Professional Engineer" that is protected, <any other adjective> engineer is fair game. Similarly anyone can call themselves an accountant, but you can't call yourself a Chartered Accountant unless you are accredited by that organization.
  - y2kenny 12y ago
    Not true. http://redmondmag.com/articles/2001/06/20/updatecanadian-mcses-face-conundrum.aspx http://redmondmag.com/articles/2001/06/20/updatecanadian-mcs...
    - ckcheng 12y ago
      Actually the rules around the P.Eng. titles are provincially regulated as opposed to federally, meaning the rules in Ontario (where apparently the term "Engineer" is protected) is different than in Alberta (where the protected term is "Professional Engineer"). That's why in Alberta, Raymond Merhej was sued for using the title "systems engineer" (as an Apple Canada-certified systems engineer) but the suit was dismissed in late 2003. In response, the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) said basically they'll lobby the government to amend the laws to prevent that in the future. [1] I don't know if such an amendment was ever completed though. And some people seem to forget that military engineers are also "engineers", and they've apparently been around since the early 1600s [2]. And locomotive engineers are also "engineers", and it looks like they don't even need post-secondary schooling [3]. [1] http://www.itbusiness.ca/news/it-industry-wins-round-in-engineering-name-debacle/4133 http://www.itbusiness.ca/news/it-industry-wins-round-in-engi... [2] http://cmea-agmc.ca/our-heritage-and-our-stories http://cmea-agmc.ca/our-heritage-and-our-stories [3] http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/Profile.aspx?val=7&val1=7361 http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/Profile.aspx?va...
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]

by lfowles 12y ago

bkirwi 12y ago

In Canada, as I understand it, it's illegal to refer to yourself as an engineer / a position as an engineering position unless you have Real Engineering Credentials. So a lot of the touchiness is just the usual sensitivity you find around a legal issue.

snowwindwaves 12y ago
it is the term "Professional Engineer" that is protected, <any other adjective> engineer is fair game. Similarly anyone can call themselves an accountant, but you can't call yourself a Chartered Accountant unless you are accredited by that organization.
- y2kenny 12y ago
  Not true. http://redmondmag.com/articles/2001/06/20/updatecanadian-mcses-face-conundrum.aspx http://redmondmag.com/articles/2001/06/20/updatecanadian-mcs...
  - ckcheng 12y ago
    Actually the rules around the P.Eng. titles are provincially regulated as opposed to federally, meaning the rules in Ontario (where apparently the term "Engineer" is protected) is different than in Alberta (where the protected term is "Professional Engineer"). That's why in Alberta, Raymond Merhej was sued for using the title "systems engineer" (as an Apple Canada-certified systems engineer) but the suit was dismissed in late 2003. In response, the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) said basically they'll lobby the government to amend the laws to prevent that in the future. [1] I don't know if such an amendment was ever completed though. And some people seem to forget that military engineers are also "engineers", and they've apparently been around since the early 1600s [2]. And locomotive engineers are also "engineers", and it looks like they don't even need post-secondary schooling [3]. [1] http://www.itbusiness.ca/news/it-industry-wins-round-in-engineering-name-debacle/4133 http://www.itbusiness.ca/news/it-industry-wins-round-in-engi... [2] http://cmea-agmc.ca/our-heritage-and-our-stories http://cmea-agmc.ca/our-heritage-and-our-stories [3] http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/Profile.aspx?val=7&val1=7361 http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/Profile.aspx?va...
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]