Can Civil Engineers Make the Difference by Involvement in Political Process?

Abstract

This paper supports the position that civil engineers serving the public through the political system can indeed “make the difference.” Notewor76thy examples of civil engineers who were elected to government positions are cited. Some of the ways in which a civil engineer can become involved in politics are discussed. The civil engineer's image in society and as portrayed by the media needs improvement. This may be accomplished through expanding the educational curricula in engineering and journalism, and by increasing the civil engineer's exposure to the general population. The civii engineer's technical expertise and analytical background in solving complex problems uniquely qualifies him or her for passage into today's political arena.