Such a weird thing to be concerned about.
According to the American Engineers' Council for Professional Development engineering is defined as, "The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property."
You'll note is says nothing about education, or professional association, or any other such ######baggery, it is a practice of applying specific principles and practices in the development of machines or systems. With that in mind, there are many positions in other fields that fit this description. Like every municipality has an individual (designated City or Town Engineer) who leads their Public Works divisions, and many of these individuals are not professional engineers, nor do any engineering of any kind. They are administrators who oversee those who manage industrial systems (utilities, roads, traffic, etc.). So where's the outrage here?
I have no idea why "professional association" engineers get so hung up on having to share this designation? The original engineers ran locomotives. The first "professional engineer" designation was not bestowed until 1907, long after other engineers had been piloting the steel horse across the plains. Maybe guys who drive trains should be pissed and prevent the steely waiving set from using the term?
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