A Message from Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
Chairman and CEO, International Business Machines, Corp.

2001 Chair, National Engineers Week

As we prepare to observe the 50th Anniversary of National Engineers Week, it’s appropriate that we reflect on the last half century of innovation, appreciate it and celebrate it. But it’s even more important that we look ahead to the potential unfolding before us in the form of a truly networked world—faster, more open, more global and more competitive than anything we've ever seen in our professional lifetimes.

The opportunity for the engineering profession is huge: to deliver better, more efficient, reliable and environmentally sensitive products and services, of course; but beyond that, to actually invent and build a world that is safer, more secure, and more prosperous for more people.

For those of us already involved in the hard work of institutional transformation, it's clear that the Internet is nothing less than the single most powerful tool we have ever seen for driving business, economic and societal change. It demands that we seek out and implement completely original models— in commerce, healthcare delivery, government service and education. And importantly for the engineering profession, it places an unprecedented premium on the ability to innovate—in every industry, across every discipline.

One implication of all this is the requirement to continuously replenish this profession with the most creative thinkers and most adept problem solvers. So I personally commend every engineer who is engaged in the effort to reach out and energize the next generation of engineering talent—right down to the elementary and middle school kids, and importantly, bright young women and minorities who are so important to our future.

We'll mark a major milestone in 2001 with Eweek’s 50th Anniversary. Let's use this platform to remind people about the pioneering work that’s already been done and its impact on the quality of life we enjoy today. And let's not miss this opportunity to personally get another generation of top talent on the track to careers in engineering.