It's Licensed P.E. Day!

The Michigan Society of Professional Engineers has asked P.E.s to post to social media today using the hashtag #LicensedPEday. I have decided to share my thoughts on licensure.

I realize that most engineers practice under the industrial exemption; I chose to pursue my P.E. for a variety of reasons, not least of which is pride in my profession. If you look at my LinkedIn profile, you will see that I have collected certifications at every step of my career. Certified Quality/Certified Reliability Engineer, Certified/Expert Systems Engineering Professional (and I was the youngest ESEP ever at the time I received it), OMG Certified System Modeling Professional-Model Builder Advanced.

So with all of those to choose from, why is my LinkedIn persona Michael J. Vinarcik, P.E., FESD? It's because of all of those certifications and credentials, I am proudest of my P.E.. I am a metallurgical engineer and although there is a licensure exam for that discipline, there are few study aids. I had to self-study and put a lot of time into it...and it represents passing two difficult examinations. Receiving my P.E. was a crucial milestone in what has become a lifelong journey of self-improvement that has led me to my current positions in professional and volunteer life.

There are many who would argue that being licensed or certified is no guarantee of excellence (and I agree, I know many competent people who lack certifications and a few borderline ones who have them). But I will say this...I consider certifications/licensure part of someone's professional CV (on par with patents/publications/visible experience) because obtaining them is not easy. They show the holder cared enough, for whatever reason, to go through the process, pass an exam, or otherwise demonstrate competence. And until I know an individual well enough to make my own assessment, credentials help me to determine how much trust I should place in their opinions and work.

I am proud to be a P.E..

#LicensedPEday