All the different titles in the field
Q: I'm a telecom recruiter and I'm confused about all the different titles and abbreviations used in this field. What's the difference for example, between, a P.E., which means Professional Engineer, and a MCSE, which stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer?
A. A state issues a P.E. to someone calling themselves an engineer. Usually in a field we think of as true engineering: construction, electrical power distribution, public utilities design, you know, civil engineering. The requirements and tests needed to get a P.E. are very, very tough. Quite often you're entitled to be an expert witness in court if you have a P.E.
An MCSE, by comparison, is a company granted title, for someone who has passed Microsoft's own testing. Your past experience, credentials, and references aren't checked before getting certified, you just need to know their material. Two titles with the word engineer in them, but with vastly different requirements.
The lnstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, or IEEE (external link), usually called the I-Triple E when speaking it, serves electrical, electronics, and computer engineers. Here's their position on the title Engineer:
"IEEE-USA recognizes that the title, Engineer, has a multiplicity of meanings within the context of laws of various U.S. jurisdictions. All jurisdictions protect the titles Professional Engineer, Licensed Engineer, Registered Engineer, or some variation thereof, to refer to individuals licensed in those jurisdictions to practice engineering. In addition, some jurisdictions protect the title, Engineer, with no qualifying words added. The purpose of protecting these titles is to ensure that the public can easily identify those individuals who possess the requisite skill, knowledge and competence to protect public safety, health and welfare in the practice of engineering. Generally, the public interprets the term, Engineer, to mean a person who is qualified to practice engineering by reason of special knowledge and use of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences, and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by engineering education and engineering experience.
It is our position that the title, Engineer, and its derivatives should be reserved for those individuals whose education and experience qualify them to practice in a manner that protects public safety. Strict use of the title serves the interest of both the IEEE-USA and the public by providing a recognized designation by which those qualified to practice engineering may be identified. The education and experience needed for the title, Engineer, is evidenced by:
"Graduation with an Engineering degree from an ABET/EAC accredited program of engineering, coupled with sufficient experience in the field in which the term, Engineer, is used; and/or Licensure by any jurisdiction as a Professional Engineer."