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Iron Ring

en.wikipedia.org

21–30 of 194 posts

Re: Iron Ring

#21
post #18

Upon reading this, I wanted one. With inscriptions reminding me of the theoretical and the practical aspects of my craft. Maybe "λf.(λx.f (x x)) (λx.f (x x))" and "10 PRINT "Hello World" 20 GOTO 10". But is that really the point? To proclaim how clever (I imagine) I am. I think the ring is meant to be a reminder that I'm part of something bigger, something important. And that I have a responsibility to other engineer…

I think having the ring is one thing, but earning it is another.

Re: Iron Ring

#22
I never wore mine. Got one mostly to be able to go through the ritual with friends.

OT: Funny to see that the term 'engineer' is held in high regard in Canada but here in UK there's no such connotation.

Re: Iron Ring

#23

Sort of relevant: In Canada the word "Engineer" is protected. While I am a Computer Scientist, I can not call myself a Software Engineer (or any form of Engineer), unlike in the US. In Canada you must have graduated from an Engineering College of a University to use the title.

I was at a networking event once, and handed a gentleman my business card. My title listed on the card was 'Software Architect'. He himself was an actual Architect (who designs physical structures), and he became upset and claimed I had absolutely no right to that title. I had never given it much thought until that point, but some folks are very protective over that sort of thing.

Re: Iron Ring

#24
post #3

After introducing the ring, still bridges collapsed in Quebec while in service not at construction and people died. I am not sure how effective is this ring.

What the hell did I just read ? It was not bridges, but a single overpass that fell and it is unrelated to the ring or engineers. The main problem was that two governements failed to identify the weaknesses because they wanted to save money. I despise people like you who try to link two totally unrelated facts to sound smart.

http://www.cevc.gouv.qc.ca/

Re: Iron Ring

#25
post #13

Random trivia: the "iron version" picture is of my own ring, uploaded a few years back when I was messing around with my friend's new camera. Pleasant surprise not only to see this on HN, but to see that the picture is still there after all this time :) As far as I know my year (2005) was one of the last years that U of T still offered an actual iron version, as opposed to stainless steel (most other schools no longe…

There was no option to get an Iron version back when I graduated in '97. The story was the iron ones turned your finger black so they stopped selling them.

Still have mine after all these years and it doesn't come off anymore, so I think I'll be taking it to the grave.

Re: Iron Ring

#26
post #13

Random trivia: the "iron version" picture is of my own ring, uploaded a few years back when I was messing around with my friend's new camera. Pleasant surprise not only to see this on HN, but to see that the picture is still there after all this time :) As far as I know my year (2005) was one of the last years that U of T still offered an actual iron version, as opposed to stainless steel (most other schools no longe…

RE: Getting an Iron Ring vs Stainless Steel

It is still possible to get a ring made out of iron at all Camp One Universities (Toronto/Ryerson, and I believe now York and UOIT as well). I graduated in 2009 from UofT and got one, and I have friends who received their iron one this past March, 2013.

Re: Iron Ring

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually don't think that's strictly true. Although there might be a stigma associated with calling yourself an Engineer if you didn't go through an Engineering program, it is only illegal to call yourself a Professional Engineer if you're not properly licensed. Graduating from an Engineering degree (and/or receiving an Iron Ring) has no real legal protection or obligation. The licensing requirements to become a Pr…

Calling yourself a P.Eng without actually being a licensed P.Eng is very, very illegal. Calling yourself an Engineer without having graduated from a CEAB-accredited institution is also illegal, just that people don't care nearly as much as bout this. You will occasionally see job postings and titles for "software engineers" from companies that don't know about this particular legal snag, and for the most part it's no…

As a licensed Professional Engineer I worry about the state of engineering in the US. I feel the word "engineer" is diluted to mean any job that requires technical know-how. Yet there are important ethical considerations if one practices as an engineer. I wish the true engineering professions could have the "Engineer" title differentiated from these other technical professions but it looks like it won't happen anytime soon, if ever. For instance you couldn't practice law or medicine without specific accreditation but for some reason engineering is not differentiated. Sure you can't design a bridge unless you are an accredited Professional Engineer. But the engineer with that title is not differentiated in the marketplace unless the organization knows it.

Re: Iron Ring

#28

Sort of relevant: In Canada the word "Engineer" is protected. While I am a Computer Scientist, I can not call myself a Software Engineer (or any form of Engineer), unlike in the US. In Canada you must have graduated from an Engineering College of a University to use the title.

After graduation you get the title of EIT (Engineer In Training). After about 4-5 years of professional work you can submit to become a P.Eng. (Professional Engineer) after which you can be called an 'Engineer' at real Engineering companies.

Anywhere else doesn't care and will call the guy taking out the garbage a Sanitation Engineer if they feel like it.

Re: Iron Ring

#29
post #13

Random trivia: the "iron version" picture is of my own ring, uploaded a few years back when I was messing around with my friend's new camera. Pleasant surprise not only to see this on HN, but to see that the picture is still there after all this time :) As far as I know my year (2005) was one of the last years that U of T still offered an actual iron version, as opposed to stainless steel (most other schools no longe…

I graduated from UofT in 2011, and they still offered iron as an option.

Re: Iron Ring

#30
post #22

I never wore mine. Got one mostly to be able to go through the ritual with friends. OT: Funny to see that the term 'engineer' is held in high regard in Canada but here in UK there's no such connotation.

"in UK there's no such connotation"

That is a real shame given the UK's fantastic history of engineering. Still, I guess it was something that an engineer came out second in the BBC's poll of the Top 100 Britons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isambard_Kingdom_Brunel

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