You can save time, space, & labor makes simple work of Filtering, Mixing, Storing
Regardless of the size or type of your installation, whatever your process may be, there's an Alsop Filter, Mixer, and Storage and Mixing Tank to "fit your j o b , " you can be sure of getting from Alsop the right unit properly ap plied—you can depend on Alsop proved performance features. Al sop Filters, Mixers, and Tanks are available in a complete range of sizes and capacities, and Alsop Equipment is custom fitted to your application by engineers who have thorough experience in Filtration and Agitation. For full informa tion, recommendations, and quota tions write Alsop Engineering Cor poration, 1204 Black Road, Milldale, Connecticut.
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ALSOP ENGINEERING CORP. V i S S • , ! 1 2 0 4 Block Road. W f u S f i » > Mtlldole, Connecticut ^Εκα& B*t I Send me your New Complete j£ «--*^'^*-* .V • Catalog. |gS!^9 .
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M A I L COUPON N O W ! Circle Nos. 102 A - 1 , 1D2 A-2, 102 A-3 on Readers' Serv ice Card, page 129 A
102 A
THE PROFESSIONAL SIDE T h e r e is no sure formula for winning this acceptance, b u t development of a sincere respect a n d understanding for t h e problems a n d abilities of your fellow workers in other d e partments is essential. Secondly, seldom are either basic d a t a or time available to allow elaborate calculations to be m a d e , particularly where new products are concerned. O n e has to learn, working from a good knowledge of basic principles, w h e n shortcuts c a n be safely applied, a n d when they are justified. T h i r d t h e best solution to a problem is developed by looking not only at the problem itself, b u t at such things as original cost, downtime, projected maintenance costs, a n d operability. This was stated unforgettably by one of m y college professors as " t h e answer to a n engineering problem always comes out in dollars." T o this I would also add—or safety. This best solution as arrived a t by m a n a g e m e n t m a y often be incom prehensible to the young engineer, until he realizes that normally he is not in possession of enough facts to see decisions in their true perspective as part of a long-range plant or corporation plan. Fourth, the young g r a d u a t e is a n engineer in n a m e only for a n ex tended period after beginning work. While he m a y be able to d o technical calculations with great proficiency; he must learn w h e n to believe his calculations, how to p u t unit proc esses together into a workable plant, how to hedge his designs against operational upsets, how to design flexibility into a unit. These things come only with experience, but must be developed before o n e can d o t h e type of work which m a n a g e m e n t expects from its engi neers. T h e time required to develop these qualities varies markedly be tween individuals a n d , I believe, depends o n their initiative, willing ness to seek or utilize help, imagina tion, ability to organize their work, ability to get at t h e heart of a problem. Fifth, one must be able to present the results of his work to m a n a g e ment, either written or orally, in a clear, concise, logical m a n n e r . Fail ure to d o this will result n o t only in loss of recognition for the m a n , b u t
INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
in loss of his ideas for the company. I n looking back the question naturally arises, " W h a t would I d o to p r e p a r e better for a n engineering career if I were starting a g a i n ? " T h e high school g r a d u a t e intend ing to become a n engineer must first decide where to go to school—big school, or little school. It appears that this is critical in only one r e spect. T h e school must give a good course in basic engineering principles. A degree from a well known college will probably be a help in getting a first j o b at somewhat higher pay. After that, the m a n is on his own a n d the good m a n in either case will move ahead a t a speed which is determined by his own abilities. I think now that additional college training would have been justified, particularly in advanced m a t h e matics a n d physical a n d theoretical chemistry. I a m n o t sure t h a t studying for a n advanced degree would necessarily have given e m phasis on additional training where needed. Probably a 5-year course in engineering, with more emphasis on the above subjects, plus more survey courses in other fields would be better. T h e r e appears to be a major void in most college curricula in the field of process control. Automation is becoming a n increasingly larger capital cost item in most types of plants, a n d is so essential to their successful operation that it must be reflected very shortly in t h e colleges. Although engineers will get into this field regardless of their college train ing, I feel that they would be m u c h more effective in the early p a r t of their career if instrumentation r e ceived the same emphasis as the major unit operations. All engineers r u n into the dilemma of specialization a n d it is a real problem to all w h o try to plan their career on a long-term basis. For the individual, specialization can often offer i m m e d i a t e rewards. However, I believe that before o n e decides to specialize in a relatively n a r r o w field he should consider the question very carefully a n d assure himself t h a t : 1. His interest lies in that field. 2. He prefers to stick to detailed technical work rather than obtaining general experience which would lead to a management position.
