Transfers

Recent circulars distributed by committees have elicited replies indicating that certain unsuccessful applicants for transfer to the grade of Member are dissatisfied with the results. In a general way it may be stated that these applicants have not submitted proper records of their engineering experience. One of the important qualifications of an engineer is that he should be able to prepare specifications or reports of his proposed work, or of investigations in behalf of a client. He should be able to judge of his own qualifications, and specify the important work he has done, and for which he was responsible. Many applicants rely upon their references to give this information, and this is frequently done. The intention is, however, that the applicant should personally record not only his electrical engineering experience, but indicate the periods of time occupied in carrying out the work. The requirements of the Constitution are simple, and if the applicant can comply with them he is in a certain sense more competent from his own knowledge to determine his qualifications than is the Board of Examiners which depends chiefly upon the records placed before it. The impression that appears to have prevailed in the past — that the decision of the Board was a mere perfunctory proceeding, has gradually been replaced by a belief that it is too rigid in its interpretation of the Constitution. If Associates will indulge in a serious contemplation of their records before filing their applications, they will in most cases avoid delay and annoyance, and greatly facilitate the work of the Board of Examiners.