Merrill W. Buckley Jr. is an engineer, technical manager, and educator. He received the BSEE degree from Villanova University and the MSEE from the University of Pennsylvania. His early career was at government laboratories doing research in advanced radar technology and airborne systems design. Later, at RCA/GE at five locations (Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, California, and New Jersey), he was a project engineer, systems analyst, engineering manager, technical director, project manager, and manager of program planning. His specialty is project management for complex electronic systems (e.g., AEGIS, APOLLO), having presented papers and delivered invited lectures in this field. Mr. Buckley's commitment to engineering education covers 35 years for IEEE, RCA, GE, Lockheed Martin, and many universities, educational institutions, and corporations world wide. He received the IEEE Centennial Medal and the award for Meritorious Achievement in Continuing Education. He taught IEEE's first and sixth satellite videoconferences, is a member of the Villanova University ECE advisory committee, and is a retired Naval officer (Electronics/Communications). He has 24 years of service to IEEE in a diversity of volunteer positions from chapter chair to president of The Institute (1992). He was recently Director of Division VI (Engineering and Human Environment) and IEEE-USA President in year 2000. * * * PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT Many factors, both technical and nontechnical, influence career development. Young engineers in particular are faced with making important decisions based on incomplete information and limited experience. The speaker will discuss the factors that contribute to a rewarding, successful lifetime career in electrical/electronics/computer engineering. He will include personal observations on choices such as specialization vs. generalization, technical vs. management career, small vs. large organizations, new technology vs. mature products and services, R&D vs. application and engineering support, job stability vs. frequent relocation, advanced degrees vs. job emphasis, MBA vs. MSEE, position vs. job satisfaction, and registration vs. nonregistration. In addition, the impact of business cycles, political cycles, international competition, salary compression, continuing education, career burnout, and the image of engineers and technology will be discussed. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in post-presentation discussion. * * * WHAT IEEE-USA IS DOING FOR YOU AND HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IEEE-USA was created in 1973 to promote the career and public policy interests of the U.S. members. Its objectives are met by using U.S. engineers as a resource for technical advice to the government and other policy makers and by promoting stable rewarding engineering careers. In addition to these objectives, it aggressively promotes the effective practice of engineering in the public interest. IEEE-USA consists of volunteers from every state and a professional staff based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Buckley's presentation will be an overview of what IEEE-USA is doing to foster member interests in the following:
Attendees will be encouraged to participate in post-presentation discussion.
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