ASSOCIATIONS
THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE Manpower Y The previous item in this series de scribed briefly wliat some agencies other than the ACS are doing in the field of manpower. One of the most active was not mentioned because its program merited more extended discussion. The enrollment of male college stu dents reached an extremely low figure during World War II. Fields such as en gineering and science that attract prin cipally men "were affected most. The in evitable result was a reduction in normal manpower supply to these professions. In the years immediately following World War II, students returned to col lege in unprecedented numbers. Enroll ment in engineering schools increased at a rate greater than college enrollment in general. Many reasons for this have been advanced such as the knowledge that there was a shortage of engineers and the fact that many GI's while in the services had received some training which interested them in engineering. Whatever the causes, the enrollment in the classes to b e graduated in 1949 and
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local groups are reported to have used the suggested plan effectively. The results of the educational arid guid ance program of EMC are striking. T h e survey of enrollment of engineering stu dents recently completed by the Office of Education shows that all college fresh man male enrollment dropped 12.3% in the fall of 1951 while freshman enroll ment in engineering schools increased by 15.4%. The major credit for this, prob ably can be attributed to the campaign conducted by the engineers. The public · relations program of EMC and its numerous local units has involved the distribution of much printed litera ture, provision of speakers at the na tional and local level, the encouragement of articles in professional and popular magazines, and the sponsorship of radio and television programs. EMC also considers that one of its major responsibilities is to advise Govern ment on the effect of legislative proposals or administrative policies on the ability of engineers to serve the country. In implementing this, it has testified before the Armed Services Committees of Con gress and has submitted data on the waste of engineering talent in the Armed Serv ices to the Committee on Specialized Per sonnel of the Office of Defense Mobiliza tion. Figures seem to indicate that the man power shortage in engineering is more severe than in most scientific fields. Chem istry, biology, physics, and geology, for example, did not receive the 1948 p u b licity concerning possible overcrowding, which so hurt engineering. As a result, college enrollment in these disciplines did not decline as rapidly as in engineering. Thus, it is not surprising that the engi neers were the first to organize and carry out an extensive program. However, the shoe now is on the other foot. The engineers can show positive results from their program and perhaps to some extent at the expense of science. The shortage in the various branches of science is becoming more acute and many national organizations, including the ACS, are undertaking programs similar to that of EMC.
1950 reached all time highs. Beginning in 1948 there was a slight business reces sion and hiring lagged somewhat. Some concluded that an oversupply of inexperi enced engineers was imminent and such statements received wide distribution. As a result engineering enrollments started to decline in the fall of 1949 at a rate greater than the decrease in college en rollment. The fallacy of the assumption that there would be a surplus of engineers Became apparent when the 1949 and 1950 gradu ates were absorbed with unusual prompt ness. A complicating factor that had not been given adequate consideration in 1948 and 1949 was the fact that college enrollments could be expected to decrease sharply in 1949 and for a few years thereafter because of the smaller number of veterans eligible for GI benefits and the decreased number of people of col lege age resulting from a low birth rate during the depression. Leaders in the engineering profession foresaw the consequences and organized to take such preventive steps as were possible. The Engineering Manpower Commission was established in September 195Q by the Engineers Joint Council. The commission is made up of three represen tatives of each of the five EJC member societies and three representatives from the American Society for Engineering Education. It is served by an executive secretary and a paid staff. The first step in the EMC program was to gather as many data as possible on the supply of engineers and then to estimate the demand for manpower in the field. The results, which showed critical short ages, were publicized widely. EMC realized that the shortage could be rectified only through increased enroll ments. That meant interesting students in thousands of localities. To start off its "grass roots" program, the commission last September sponsored in Pittsburgh a Rewards of W o r k convocation of engineers, educators, and There's an old saying that the reward industrialists from all parts of the coun of work well done is more work. It is silly try. Outstanding speakers presented up- . to deny that there's some truth in it. But to-date statistics on the severity of the there are other rewards, too. shortage of scientists and engineers. A Here's what one of our members, re panel answered questions. The 400 who cently given substantial advancement by attended were made aware of the critical his company, has to say: nature of the situation and most left with I certainly cannot say too much for the a desire to help in its solution. Immediately thereafter, EMC appointed rewards of working for the ACS locally and nationally. It was a considerable fac local delegates in all states to participate tor in gaining recognition in my company. in the national "grass roots" program. The fact that other chemists chose me to Each person was given a suggested or do these tasks meant a lot to the manage ganizational chart and an outline of steps ment. The experiences gained were in that might be helpful. Committees in the valuable. fields of education and guidance, public relations, Armed Forces, industrial co ,^ct^2S^W operation, and enlightenment of civic groups were recommended. State and CHEMICAL
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