Today I received a solicitation from the National Society of Professional Engineers concerning my membership—I’m not a member—and exhorting me to contemplate the benefits of association with their august group.
Here is a quote from the beginning of the cover letter:
Dear William:
Nothing says “professional engineer” like the PE license.
Ummm, duh? I’m at a loss for words. Truly. But wait, there’s more.
Nothing says “professional engineer” like the PE license. Why? Because in a profession so affected by rapid changes in technology, techniques, and ethical issues, a demonstrated commitment to staying ahead of the curve is a pledge of excellence to a prospective client or employer.
I won’t go on.
If you can translate that last sentence into something that makes sense, please tell me what it means.
It translates to, roughly, “Give us money.”
And to add to the irony, isn’t the PE licensure a one-shot test? So passing the test indicates that you’re committed to being on the bleeding edge of the field for your career?