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When is a Systems Engineer really a Systems Engineer?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:08 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:08 am
I had to deal with someone yesterday at a technology company. He really didn't know his stuff, so when I saw his title on his email signature stated, "Systems Engineer", on my next phone call to him I asked him where he went to school for his engineering degree. Turns out he doesn't have a degree in anything, not even an ITT Technical anything.
So should I contact this company and complain? I mean, if he states he's an Systems Specialist, I'm okay with that, but to state you're a Systems Engineer when it is really obvious you're not just really rankles me and it seems very wrong and an insult to people who studied hard to become an engineer.
So should I contact this company and complain? I mean, if he states he's an Systems Specialist, I'm okay with that, but to state you're a Systems Engineer when it is really obvious you're not just really rankles me and it seems very wrong and an insult to people who studied hard to become an engineer.
9
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:09 am to HubbaBubba
That's my title and I don't have a degree.
Come at me, bro.
Come at me, bro.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:16 am to Schwartz
So what makes you an engineer? You play with trains?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:17 am to HubbaBubba
WTF? You don't need an engineering degree to be a Systems Engineer. Would you mind giving us what speciality a Systems Engineer will fall under?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:21 am to HubbaBubba
Yes.
ETA: And I architect and manage the server and virtual infrastructure for the largest company in our industry in Louisiana.
ETA: And I architect and manage the server and virtual infrastructure for the largest company in our industry in Louisiana.
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 9:23 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:22 am to wizziko
Sorry. I'm just a bit old school. If someone titles themself as a doctor, I pretty much expect they went to school, finished residency, passed the exams and are a Doctor.
So, by the modern definition of an engineer, because I can put a bandaid on a scraped knee, why.... I must be a Doctor!
So, by the modern definition of an engineer, because I can put a bandaid on a scraped knee, why.... I must be a Doctor!
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:23 am to HubbaBubba
I don't think you're as smart as you think you are.
Here's some crazy information: different titles mean different things in different industries.
Here's some crazy information: different titles mean different things in different industries.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:26 am to Schwartz
No, I just think the term is being watered down to give people the illusion of importance and stature.
Edit:
Let me clarify my concern. This person I dealt with knows nothing more than what his company has taught him to do within certain confines. He can't think out of that box. He is nothing more than a trained rat. That does not make him a Systems Engineer if he can't actually engineer outside of his own company's small set of products. That makes him a system specialist, not a system engineer. Sorry, not meaning to disparage anyone here who actually knows their shite, okay?
But the point is that this company is giving this idiot a completely unearned title that waters down the value of the meaning.
Edit:
Let me clarify my concern. This person I dealt with knows nothing more than what his company has taught him to do within certain confines. He can't think out of that box. He is nothing more than a trained rat. That does not make him a Systems Engineer if he can't actually engineer outside of his own company's small set of products. That makes him a system specialist, not a system engineer. Sorry, not meaning to disparage anyone here who actually knows their shite, okay?
But the point is that this company is giving this idiot a completely unearned title that waters down the value of the meaning.
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 9:36 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:29 am to HubbaBubba
Meanwhile, I think that you're a gigantic tool.
Aren't thoughts great things to have?
Aren't thoughts great things to have?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:30 am to HubbaBubba
You realize the IT industry has been using the term "engineer" for quite some time huh? You mad that engineering degree isnt worth what it used to be?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:32 am to gmrkr5
I think we've found the root cause. Homeboy's pissed that I make more than him and didn't waste time going to college.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:32 am to Schwartz
Lol...thats what it sounds like
Bet youd like the fact that the term "architect" is pretty common in this intustry as well
Bet youd like the fact that the term "architect" is pretty common in this intustry as well
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 9:36 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:38 am to gmrkr5
That's actually going to be my title come October. 
It still cracks me up that people outside of the IT industry have absolutely no concept of the fact that for the most part higher education is a complete and utter waste.
It still cracks me up that people outside of the IT industry have absolutely no concept of the fact that for the most part higher education is a complete and utter waste.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:41 am to gmrkr5
I have a BS in Electrical Engineering. I also became an MCSE 15 years ago.
I know they changed it to MCSA for the exact reason the OP talks about. They didn't want to water down the engineer designation. I agree with OP, engineer title is earned.
I know they changed it to MCSA for the exact reason the OP talks about. They didn't want to water down the engineer designation. I agree with OP, engineer title is earned.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:42 am to ColdDuck
And that brings me to my other issue with IT:
90% of certifications simply mean that you can pass a test. They're not an indication of you being able to actually do the work.
ETA: "You" in the general sense, not you specifically.
90% of certifications simply mean that you can pass a test. They're not an indication of you being able to actually do the work.
ETA: "You" in the general sense, not you specifically.
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 9:43 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:46 am to Schwartz
It's a shame the State Engineering Boards have allowed the term engineer to be watered down. It use to be you had to have a certain number of PEs on staff at a company to call even your college graduates with engineering degrees engineers. Now pretty much any slapdick can get an engineer title. They only defend the PE title now.
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 9:48 am
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:51 am to Dam Guide
Jesus frick you people are dense. They're not the same thing. At all. I can go call myself a Brigadier General if I want to. It's a made up title, and it doesn't mean anything in the realm of IT. Deal with it.
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:55 am to Schwartz
quote:Thank you for making my point for me.
It's a made up title, and it doesn't mean anything
Posted on 9/13/14 at 9:59 am to HubbaBubba
So what's the point of you getting your jimmies rustled if someone has that title if it doesn't mean anything?
Posted on 9/13/14 at 10:01 am to Schwartz
Op has misplaced anger. Be mad at the company that hired the incompetent worker, not the system. You wouldn't be bitching if this guy knew what he was doing.
This post was edited on 9/13/14 at 10:19 am
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