Wk1 - Quotes

 “I contend that we (engineers) are undervalued because of our widespread inability to explain what we do to the general public (and why it is so important). It is one of the hardest goals to accomplish, to be able to boil down difficult concepts into a short and easily understood presentation or elevator pitch.”

Marybeth Miceli, President, Miceli Infrastructure Consulting, USA (2011)

Engineering is a field that often deals with highly technical and complex concepts, tools, and processes. However, this complexity can create a gap between engineers and the general public. Many people don’t fully understand what engineers do or how engineering impacts their daily lives because we, as engineers, tend to speak in highly technical terms or focus on details that are meaningful to us but inaccessible to others.

This quote actually emphasizes the importance of being able to take this complex work and simplify it into a form that anyone can understand. For example, when explaining a project, instead of diving into technical jargon, we could focus on the real-world benefits or problems it solves. This ability to "boil down" difficult concepts into clear, relatable messages is crucial because it allows engineers to showcase the value of their work, connect with others, and advocate for their profession. Without this skill, the importance of engineering might be overlooked or underestimated by those outside the field.