A MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

All graduates of ceramic and materials engineering programs should seriously consider being members of the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers. Why? Being able to use the title 'Engineer' affords you a salary that is about 10-25% higher than that of the scientist (Science and Engineering Indicators 2000 NSF) and yet that position is quite precarious. There are 27 states/territories that restrict the job title of 'Engineer' to those having PE licenses. They are AL, AK, AR, CT, DC, GA, GU, HA, IL, KY, LA, MS, MO, NV, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VI, WV. Additionally, there are 36 states/territories that allow only those with an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) EAC (Engineering Accreditation Commission) accredited degrees to obtain license (through the education route). They are AL, AR, CA, DE, GU, HA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MN, MI, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY.

The larger engineering disciplines take the title of engineer very seriously and belong to their respective engineering societies. Many are sworn in to the Order of the Engineer, and most consider you not a 'proper' engineer if you have not gotten your PE license. The smaller societies have routinely ignored this, but not ACerS/NICE. You cannot get a materials engineering PE, but you can get a ceramic engineering PE. We offer the exam once a year at the Annual Meeting of The American Ceramic Society held in conjunction with the Materials Science and Technology (MS&T) Conference. We can induct you into the Order of the Engineer and provide other continuing education opportunities to support your professional career.

ACerS/NICE is also a custodian of the quality of your engineering education. Our representation on the ABET Board and the ABET Commission is disproportionate to our size and we are your voice in engineering accreditation. We are recognized by National Council of Examiners in Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) as the body for preparing and grading the PE exam for CE in several states. In short, we are a little engineering society with a lot of clout for our size.

OK, so what if you don't call yourself an 'Engineer' at the moment? Why cut off your options? In most job search engines, 'engineer' is a very favorable word. There is no additional cost to join ACerS/NICE. If you are either a student member of “Materials Advantage” or a member of ACerS. You may become a member of ACerS/NICE, just for asking. As an ACerS/NICE member, you can help shape both your own future and the future of engineering; you could even end up being part of the accreditation process. So I urge all you Graduates out there join up! Be proud and be loud! To join, contact ACerS customer service at customerservice@ceramics.org or by telephone at 866-721-3322.

Dr. Alexis Clare
Past President, NICE