Public Affairs and Administrative Involvement

Technical expertise alone is inadequate for good administration. It is also inadequate for the civil engineering profession. Professionally, civil engineering development and competence involve not only technical expertise, but also administrative skill and ability. If the civil engineering profession is to avoid being relegated to the role of technicians, and is to work for the “progressive well-being of mankind” with corresponding public support and confidence, then the profession must become involved administratively as well as technically. Therefore, it behooves those of us in ASCE to make a special effort to create the professional attitude, professional educational opportunities, and professional society activities that encourage, strengthen, and support the total professional development of those civil engineers whose potential leads them into greater areas of administrative responsibility. Your suggestions as to how this can be better accomplished are encouraged.