To be an Engineer

Titles in the Czech Republic are particularly important when doing business. Almost every piece of professional communication a person is referred to by their academic title. On the surface, this is not so different than in America. However, the level of post-graduate education is all that is reflected in the American titles. In Czech, they use titles down to the baccalaureate level Maybe because so few people in Czech seek post-secondary training, maybe a free education should be more discussed in the USA?

After six years of grueling training, I am particularly proud to call myself an Engineer. Customarily Czechs with a Master’s degree are referred to with the title of “Mgr”, or magister. Unfortunately, if they have a bachelor’s degree regardless of discipline, they refer to them with an “Ing” title, short for “Ingenýr”. This seems fair in the light of reason, but strictly unfortunate when compared to those who gave up so many nights of college debauchery studying esoteric physical and mathematical laws. Ten years later, I am still waiting to use my understanding of Hooke’s Law to woo the ladies.

Having met several Czech engineers, who are of like mind on this topic, it is unfortunate. However, I am sure all of the “domestic and sanitation engineers” of America are rejoicing in such international recognition of their title. Even though most of them probably can neither find the Czech Republic on the map and or still refer to it as Czechoslovakia.