2014 Issue

8 I AM IN MY fifties now, the years that one starts to look back as much as for- ward. Everyone has their “bucket list” of accomplishments they want to achieve in life, and that is a good thing. For many, this bucket list includes getting a college degree, sharing a life with the love of one’s life, raising a family, traveling, owning a home and successfully working in a career of choice. I believe the last one should in- clude the sense that your involvement and contribution hasmade a positive difference to those you work directly with and to so- ciety as a whole. For engineers, the latter is why many choose engineering as their career choice. Our particular contribution to society as a whole isn’t always obvious, however. Quite often, our contribution is one of many parts of a much larger system designed to improve life through cost sav- ings, greater opportunity for others and advancement of overall quality of life. Engi- neering is a collaborative, creative process that makes a difference in all of our lives. Imagine what life would be like without pollution controls to preserve the environ- ment, lifesaving medical equipment, clean drinking water, or heaven forbid, nomobile devices. All this takes engineering. In very real and concrete ways, engineers save lives, prevent disease, reduce poverty, and protect our planet. The UEC Journal articles presented high- light many of these advancements in new and developing technologies. The difference we make more directly to others comes through our individual leader- ship or mentoring skills outside of the basic requirements of our technical skills. Taking the initiative to get involved in the related opportunities of our careers is a good way to make a difference in the lives of others. This often means joining or volunteering in professional societies or serving with non-profit organizations. These organiza- tions and professional societies rely on the contributions we make both monetarily and in offering our time. These efforts can make the opportunity of a higher education a reality for the disadvantaged, through scholarships or providing the basic need for a reliable, clean drinking water source for undeveloped areas struggling to simply survive. Whatever the effort, these simple acts of giving of our time, money or skills for others have a benefit for both the giver and the recipient, in a direct more obvious way. Those still alive today, who have been born into what some call the Greatest Genera- tion, have seen unprecedented change in engineering advancements and technology throughout their lifetime. This generation is described as having lived through twoworld DAVID K. CLINE, P.E. (ASCE, SAME, EWB) UTAH ENGINEERS COUNCIL CHAIR 2013-2014 Message from the Council’s Chair Making a Difference