In Engineering lies the fascination of watching a figment of imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper, then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it elevates the standard of living of man and adds to the comfort of life, "THAT IS THE ENGINEERS' GREATEST PRIVILEGE".
The great liability of ENGINEERS compared to men of other professions is that, our works are out in the open where all can see them. Our acts; step by step are in hard substance.
We can not bury our mistakes in the grave like the Doctors. We can not argue them into thin air or blame the judge like the Lawyers. We can not like the Architects cover our failures with trees and vines. We can not like the Politicians scream our short comings by blaming our opponents and hope that the people will forget - The ENGINEER simply can not deny he did it. If our works do no work, we are damned.
On the other hand, unlike the Doctors, ours is not a life amongst the weak. Unlike the Lawyers, quarrels are not our daily bread.
To the ENGINEER falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort and hope. No doubt as years go by the people forget which ENGINEER did it. Even if they ever knew.
Some Politician may even put his name on it, or they credit it to some promoter who used other people's money........
But the ENGINEER himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which flows from his success with satisfaction and the verdict from his fellow professionals is the entire accolades he wants.
ENGINEERING IS INDEED A NOBLE PROFESSION