Visionaries and futurists call engineers, structural engineers included, the "wealth creators," and say that a country’s economic stability, growth, and standard of living depends on the strength of its engineering base. They contend that engineers are the single most indispensable group needed for developing and maintaining a nation’s infrastructure.

These seer groups also predict that science, engineering, and technology will advance more over the next few decades than they have in all of history. In addition, the world will become more technologically dependent and sophisticated as the 21st century matures. It’s obvious that increasing numbers of people trained in engineering will be required in countless decision-making positions. Not only will the skills of America’s engineers be put to the test, so will the scientific and technological literacy of its population.

The future will demand that tomorrow’s professional engineers be both technical experts and leaders in public debates on national—even international—issues. Among them will be how to strengthen our country’s crucial engineering base and deal with international terrorism, runaway population growth, environmental and sustainable development concerns, as well as the exploration of space and earth’s oceans. Perhaps most important is maximizing our country’s future productivity in today’s explosive global marketplace.

With today’s mushrooming computer-driven technologies and communication tools comes global access to low-price labor markets, creating unlimited supply of foreign engineers working for lower salaries than their counterparts in the United States. It also allows for the instant transfer of designs and drawings to offices around the globe, encouraging 24-hour engineering design assignments. The proliferation of advanced software programs that increasingly allow non-engineers to "do" engineering is a factor, also.

Addressing these kinds of global developments is complicated by our country’s "lawsuit crazy" environment, which stifles innovation and progress. Technical expertise isn’t enough to confront these issues. Leaders from the design and building industries need to step forward and be heard and effective in a wide array of venues.

Specifically, to advance the value of the engineering profession, increasing numbers of structural engineers must serve on consequential advisory committees, and on public boards and commissions that make policy and set direction. These include long-range planning boards, economic development and highway commissions, and so on. They may even need to serve as elected officials.

In tomorrow’s world, being only a technically competent structural engineer won’t be enough. The world’s new growing-dependence-on-engineering environment cries out for more American engineers than ever to become influential industry and societal leaders. Being a technically skilled engineer as well as a wealth creator and protector of our traditional standards of living will continue to be rewarding. And for those who get active as public pacesetters and societal "movers and shakers," tomorrow will be especially exhilarating.

However, this result requires that engineers develop all their talents to the highest level, that they be conversant in a wide range of topics. Remember that technical competence alone doesn’t translate into having sound judgment or vision. Nor does it make for being the best-rounded person with the big-picture-thinking, leadership abilities needed for dealing with today’s trends and developments. Other talents must be evoked.

Engineers of the future have to develop expanded ways to hone their leadership and communications skills to the fullest. They must move out of the backrooms and up the "food chain," to where controlling decisions are made. No longer can they be on the outside looking in. No longer can they sit on committees; they must become the leaders, the chairs, of them! Plus they must befriend the media to spread their message and convey their worth to as many people as possible. It’s the only way, in the long run, for engineers within the United States to be in charge of their own destiny.

In essence, tomorrow’s structural engineers must take on a wide array of leadership positions and get involved in helping set public and industry policy. This requires that engineering societies and educators improve how structural engineers can develop into effective leaders beyond, as well as within, engineering circles.

If you want to make a true difference during your career, then establish a comprehensive life plan to become a trailblazer—and role model for other engineers. Stand up and become as skilled at running things as you are at making things run. When you do, you’ll significantly improve the stature of this noble profession. You’ll better control its direction—and your own fate.

Richard Weingardt, P.E., is CEO and chairman of Richard Weingardt Consultants, Inc., a Denver-based structural engineering firm. He can be reached via e-mail at rweingardt@gostructural.com.