The Institute, EE Times and several recently released announcements have been trumpeting the good news: income for electrical, electronics and computer engineers soared 7.5% during the past two years, easily outpacing the 5.8% increase in the Consumer Price Index.
That's the good news and it's all based on the results of the recently released IEEE-USA 1997 Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey. But let's put it in context: this is the fourth (biennial) survey in a row to show increased purchasing power, however, over the long-term (the 25 years for which IEEE-USA has been taking these surveys), the nominal average earnings for EEs have increased from $19,200 (1971) to $78,465 (1997) - almost all that growth is inflationary: $19,200 in 1971 is equivalent to $74,324 in 1997.
Those working in their primary technical specialty had total (median) incomes of $76,000 and income from primary sources only (excludes overtime, profit sharing, supplementary earnings, retirement or pension benefits and any additional earnings other than stock options) of $72,000 (1995 - $67,000).
Again, to give this some perspective, note that the $72,000 median is the center of a range of salaries from $44,000 (first decile) to $116,000 (top decile). Also, the average employed IEEE US member is 44 years old with a BSEE degree and about 17 years of professional experience. He has been with his current employer for the last six to seven years and is at the fifth of nine possible levels of professional responsibility (equivalent to a department manager or associate professor).
From 1995 to 1997 engineers between the ages of 20 and 39, saw their base salaries rise a full 15%, while 50-60 year old professionals experienced only a 4% increase. The technical areas with the highest income growth were electromagnetics and radiation, 18.7%, and computers, 10.2%. Respondents in energy and power engineering reported only a 3.1% improvement, and those in systems and control earned a mere 0.6% more.
Location also had an effect on level of compensation. Region 5 ranked fifth of the six US Regions in income with a median of $66, 837 (followed only by Region 4 - upper mid-west). The median salary for the state of Texas was $68,000 and for the Dallas Metropolitan area, $69,000 (Houston was $71,500 and Austin $74,250).
The 1997 survey report includes a newly refined regression-analysis formula that individuals may use to predict salary for particular positions. Also, for the first time, data is provided on hourly rates for self-employed engineers. For a copy, call 1-800-678-IEEE and ask for product no. UH2966-BAA-971. $74.95 for IEEE members, plus $6 postage and handling.
| (full-time engineers working in their Primary Area of Technical Competence, 1996 income from primary sources only) | |
| Computers | $79,500 |
| Communications | $78,000 |
| Aerospace | $76,250 |
| Electrical/electronic manufacturing | $72,000 |
| Consulting | $71,400 |
| Defense (other than aerospace) | $70,632 |
| Medical | $70,000 |
| Other sectors | $69,900 |
| Petrochemicals | $68,000 |
| Utilities | $67,950 |
| Electrical/electronic services | $65,950 |
| Education | $65,000 |
| Transportation | $63,410 |
| Automotive | $62,000 |
by Jeff Carrell, Electronic Communications Chairman
Continuing our discussion of OSI Physical Layer Electronics (Part 1 was cabling, part 2 discussed hubs) this article addresses the "host" device connection point, or Network Interface Cards (NICs). Occasionally, the terms LAN Adapter Card or network adapter card are used, but the preferred term is NIC.
In order to connect a device to the network, it must contain a network interface. For the most part, we call any device that has a direct network connection a "host." (The use of host in this particular context does not refer to the mainframe or minicomputers, which have been traditionally called host computers.)
Today, we have many different types of hosts: PCs, Macintosh's, UNIX systems, notebook computers, minicomputers, mainframes, printers, communications systems, routers, etc. All of these devices, no matter their function or physical design, will have a NIC installed.
The I/O connector of the host can be one of many different types of buses, for example: ISA, EISA, MCA, PCI, PC Card, or proprietary. The different bus types also have different I/O data paths (i.e., how many bits the bus moves at a time). Traditionally, the ISA bus is an 8 or 16 bit bus, EISA is 32 bits, MCA is 16 or 32 bits, and PCI is 32 bits.
In the realm of Ethernet NICs, there are many different options to choose from today. And, in addition to connector styles, there is the speed issue to consider. Is the network running 10Mb/s, 100Mb/s or even (soon) 1000Mb/s? Also, what about the upgrade path? A lot of networks today run at 10Mb/s, but the cost of a 10/100 NIC is usually only a little bit more. That being the case, it is best to go ahead and install 10/100 NICs now, to facilitate a later upgrade or the swapping of hosts for servicing/redeployment. Since Ethernet has been around for longer than forever (in networking time anyway), there are three different connector/cable types to be supported. The original AUI or DB15 connector for Thicknet cable, the BNC coax connector for Thinnet and the RJ45 supporting UTP/STP modern day cable plants. NICs can come equipped with: any one of the three specific connectors, two connectors (usually the AUI and one other), or a combo card of all three. Obviously, an Ethernet NIC that is a dual speed with combo connectors can support virtually any network and cable plant. Of course, the more options the NIC has to offer, the higher the price.
Token Ring NICs have similar issues. There are two speeds of Token Rings - 4Mb/s and 16Mb/s. Although the original Token Ring NICs were 4Mb/s only, the current day Token Ring NICs are usually dual 4/16. Likewise, early day Token Ring cables terminated at the NIC via a DB9 connector. However with the Cat5 structured cable systems of the 90's, vendors have been putting RJ45 connectors on most Token Ring NICs, and some come with both connector styles.
Each NIC has a unique hardware level address, called the MAC address. This address is "burned-in" by the vendor, and usually cannot be changed. The MAC address is a 12 digit, hexadecimal number divided into two components, a prefix (first 6 digits) and suffix. The prefix number is assigned by the IEEE. During the manufacturing process the vendor takes their specific prefix and adds a suffix - sequentially. This allows for all NICs to have an individual 12 digit address. If a vendor runs out of suffix addresses, they apply for a new prefix and keep on going. (Imagine the problems if two or more NICs on the same network had the same MAC address.)
Installing NICs can be easy or very troublesome depending on the host platform type, bus type, operating system and network drivers. Some points to ease the pain: buy only name brand NICs (no "clones"); verify the parameters of the host before buying NICs (are they all compatible with each other); once you find a NIC that works in your environment, stay with that brand; and be prepared during the first installation (have all drivers, documentation and technical support numbers handy).
NIC is a very integral component in the network. I don't recommend saving a few dollars and installing lessor quality NICs - I have seen too many intermittent problems with them. When NICs go bad, they can cause all kinds of problems many of which are hard to troubleshoot. There are many diagnostic products available and it always helps to have accurate documentation of the network and the host types, NIC types, and driver software configurations available. Often, the root problem with a NIC is a simple software driver configuration error.
Copyright © 1997 Jeffrey L. Carrell All Rights Reserved
by Jean Eason and Dick Riddle, IEEE-USA Employment Assistance Committee
The typical unemployed IEEE member in this country is over 50, has more than two decades of professional experience, holds a graduate degree and has been without work for more than a year. These were some of the results of a 1995 survey conducted by IEEE-USA's Employment Assistance Committee. In that year, there were more than 3000 unemployed members. But by 1996, more than half had been re-employed. Where and how did they find success? The data from two follow-on surveys helps us to understand.
The first survey, the UNemployment Survey, addressed the same questions to the 1996 list of unemployed and confirmed many of our previous results. The second survey, a RE-employment Survey, was sent to the more than 2000 members who indicated they were unemployed in 1995 but not in 1996. The analysis of this data provided insight into how the previously unemployed member conducted his successful job search and helped us understand how we might better address the problems of the remaining unemployed.
When asked what they perceived to be personal barriers to re-employment, respondents overwhelmingly replied: age. Further analysis of 1996 unemployed survey data showed they might be right - those selecting "age" were on the average 55 years old and unemployed for 99 weeks, versus 44 years and 71 weeks for those not selecting age.
A regression analysis also confirmed the adverse affect of age - growing older by one year adds about two weeks more to the duration of unemployment than an additional year of experience reduces it. This result is stable across the 1995 and (both) 1996 surveys.
What happened to the more than 2200 members who said they were unemployed in 1995, but were not on the list in 1996? Did they all find jobs (we hope) or did they cease being IEEE members? And, if they all found jobs, how did they do it? Our RE-employment survey attempted to answer these questions.
Ninety-six percent of the more than 800 respondents were still members, paying full dues. These members were similar in age and experience to the unemployed members. But, the question is: how do they differ?
One thing that jumps out is the increase in consulting and small company employment. Self-employed engineers in this survey represent 11% of the respondents - in the 1995 Salary Survey they were 3% and in the 1996 Member Opinion Survey (worldwide), 4%.
And, how did they find these jobs? Networking - members of both the UNemployment and RE-employment surveys rated "networking" as the most successful job search technique.
For more details on the surveys, refer to the article in the Web edition of Frontlines at www.ieee.org/jobs.html.
The new Fort Worth Section officers for 1997-98 are:
Congratulations to all and good luck in the coming term.
During the summer months, Jeff Carrell and Jean Eason will be introducing the email version of Signals. Over the long-term (years from now) we will be phasing out the printed version entirely. The advantage to the Section is obvious - cost savings. Printing and mailing costs for the newsletter are the Section's largest expense. The advantage to you is easily accessible, up-to-date information. If you are already on our "master blaster" list, you are familiar with our periodic email notices.
So, send a message to either j.carrell@ieee.org or j.eason@ieee.org to subscribe to our mailing list. For now, you will be receiving both the print and email newsletters. In the future, you can help us save some trees.
The Exposition provided a great opportunity for networking and as an added bonus, about 450 individuals attended the Rangers vs. Oakland game after the Expo. Thanks to all who exhibited, attended and otherwise supported the 1997 Industry Exposition - it was a great success.
IEEE MEMBERS GARNERED ALL FIVE 1997 NATIONAL MEDALS OF TECHNOLOGY - The Medals are the nation's highest honor for technological achievement. Among the winners was Norman R. Augustine, IEEE Fellow and CEO and Chairman, Lockheed Martin recognized for his leadership and innovation that have made significant contributions to America by creating jobs, strengthening its competitive position, and advancing its standard of living.
IEEE-USA CHAIR DANIEL R. BENIGNI WROTE TO FCC Chairman Reed E. Hundt on April 9 to promote universal access to telecommunications services. Benigni called on the FCC to identify incentives to promote infrastructure development and encourage broadband network access by underserved populations, and to cooperate with local government and private-sector entities to assist in aggregating demand for networks and service.
ENCRYPTION BILL CLEARS HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE - IEEE-USA joined more than 20 other organizations in sending a coalition letter expressing support for the Security and Freedom Through Encryption Act (H.R. 695) that cleared the Judiciary Committee in May. The letter, however, expressed concern with encryption "crime." Copy is available at http://www.privacy.org/ipc/safe_letter.html.
HOUSE ADOPTS OVERHAUL OF US PATENT SYSTEM - H.R. 400, the 21st Century Patent Improvement Act was passed on April 23 by voice vote after narrow adoption of an amendment that exempted small businesses, universities, and individual inventors from the bill's patent publication requirements. H.R. 400 would transform the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) into a quasi-private corporation (but continues its status as a government agency subject to Congressional oversight). IEEE-USA comments on the patent proposal, which were submitted at the Judiciary Committee's request, supported the intent of H.R. 400, but offered specific suggestions dealing with publication, re-examination, prior user rights, and patent term restoration. IEEE-USA's statement at http://www.ieee.org/usab/DOCUMENTS/FORUM/LIBRARY/PAPERS/hr400.html.
ENGINEERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SERVE AS MENTORS but who don't have much time away from the office can still share their expertise through the Science By Mail (SBM) program sponsored by the Museum of Science in Boston. SBM is a national program that pairs up children in grades 4-9 with a scientist who acts as their mentor. Dallas Section and USAB member Robert S. Powers is an SBM volunteer. The program, he says, "is very rewarding. The school kids continually amaze me with their interest in the SBM projects. It's a super opportunity." To volunteer, send a message to Tom Champoux, SBM marketing director, at champoux@a1.mos.org.
US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POSTS - As a regular activity, IEEE-USA consults with the White House on appointments and recommends qualified candidates to serve in key science and technology positions in the Federal Government. Currently there are a number of positions vacant or soon to be vacant to which IEEE-USA would like to see engineers (and IEEE members) appointed.
Contact Chris Brantley, IEEE-USA, 202-785-0017, c.brantley@ieee.org.
THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS to assist with their Electricity Merit Badge booth at the National Scout Jamboree, to be held 28 July- 5 August at Fort A. P. Hill, VA. Volunteers will be providing a booth where the scouts can get electrical, electronics and computer science engineering career counseling. The event will be attended by over 30,000 scouts from the United States and several foreign countries. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Ralph Russell, bsajambo@aol.com or 804-273-2216.
CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE SEEKS MEMBER INPUT - Have you used any of the IEEE's educational products? Are there other topics, technical or non-technical, that you would like to see presented? How about the costs and availability? The Continuing Education Committee (CEC) of the IEEE Educational Activities Board constantly strives to provide the latest and most effective programs to help members stay technically competent. But, member feedback is essential. Pass along your suggestions to the Committee: Gale Latzko, Educational Outreach Coordinator, g.latzko@ieee.org, or Ted Moody, CEC Chairman, t.moody@ieee.org.
The Section has long been a patron of the Fort Worth Regional Science Fair recognizing excellence in science and math education in our area. The Section awarded First, Second and Third Place ribbons in both Division I (high school) and Division II (middle school). Topping this year's outstanding exhibits:
Division I
Division II
Recognizing our Section members for their long-time commitment to the profession on the anniversary of their joining IEEE.
45 yrs
Jean Eason, Editor