Are you an engineer if you never worked as one?

[Anonymous]

Question on reference to Emily Calendrelli. She's done a ton to promote engineering and science, but I wonder why she calls herself an engineer even though she's never worked as one.

Is it enough to have the degree?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the laws in the state.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone not use the name of the professional degree that they earned, which is also the field where they work?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is enough to have the degree.

[Anonymous]

This is usual for people with engineering degrees.

[Anonymous]

She has an undergrad engineering degree. Then ,a masters in aerospace engineering from MIT and another masters in Tech and Policy from MIT. That is in the School of Engineering. I have one.
She got an engineering prize as an undergrad, worked at NASA doing engineering.
Yes she can say she is an engineer.

[Anonymous]

A paper engineer? She sounds like a professor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has an undergrad engineering degree. Then ,a masters in aerospace engineering from MIT and another masters in Tech and Policy from MIT. That is in the School of Engineering. I have one.
She got an engineering prize as an undergrad, worked at NASA doing engineering.
Yes she can say she is an engineer.

She was barely an intern at NASA.

[Anonymous]

OP may be wondering if age has to be a RPE to say she is an engineer. No. She can't pur RPE after her name unless she is licensed dunno if she is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has an undergrad engineering degree. Then ,a masters in aerospace engineering from MIT and another masters in Tech and Policy from MIT. That is in the School of Engineering. I have one.
She got an engineering prize as an undergrad, worked at NASA doing engineering.
Yes she can say she is an engineer.

I'm just surprised she doesn't have even one job as an engineer. She's more a TV personality with a passion for engineering and science than an actual engineer.

[Anonymous]

She worked at NASA before focusing more on the education and outreach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP may be wondering if age has to be a RPE to say she is an engineer. No. She can't pur RPE after her name unless she is licensed dunno if she is.

That I understand, my Dad is a PE. It just seems not genuine to have never worked professionally as an engineer and call yourself an engineer.

If I have an SB and MA in science does that alone make me a scientist? Most would argue you need a PhD which is the work-experience as a scientist.

[Anonymous]

Would you not call a person who earned a PhD, a PhD? Would you not call someone who learned a law degree a lawyer? I would say yes, even if these people are not actively working in those fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you not call a person who earned a PhD, a PhD? Would you not call someone who learned a law degree a lawyer? I would say yes, even if these people are not actively working in those fields.

I wouldn't call someone not professionally working as a lawyer, a lawyer.

The PhD earned the title of Dr. but you wouldn't call them a professor if they aren't one professionally.

[Anonymous]

I was an economist working for the federal government with a BA in Econ. There are hundreds of employees like that. We legitimately did do economics-related work, and at a junior level compared to PhDs. My office had a few PhDs, a bunch of Master's grads, and a few BA's.