After a few years of this training specializa tion may begin along the lines selected for the life work but preferably not before. A man makes a mistake to consider himself a qualified electrical engineer after he has been graduated from college, for he is 'not one. His mind has been trained into a condition where he can readily absorb the principles of the electrical profession, but that is all, and the subsequent apprentice training is as important as the col lege course, in order to acquire the broad view point from which to make the correct start in the direction in which a man is best fitted. It perhaps means a smaller income the year after graduation from college, but it means much more at the end of five years. But theory and practice are not the only elements necessary for the successful engineer. There are many qual ities required in common with other profes sions; executive ability, business knowledge, presence of mind and ability to handle men; nerve and resourcefulness in handling machinery in times of emergency, are all neces sary to the successful engineer. These elements
cannot be acquired in the study of theory and practice alone, and many men who have stood high in their college courses have failed after ward in the practice of their profession because of a lack of these qualities. The study of chemistry becomes more and more important as the profession advances, for the branch of electrochemistry is rapidly developing and is likely to become one of the largest fields in the application of electrical science. And almost above all comes a training in the English lan guage. No man who cannot express himself clearly and concisely in writing or in conversa tion can hope to attain a prominent position in his profession. The education of an electrical engineer, however, must never be considered as completed. The art advances so rapidly that constant study is necessary, even to keep up with the progress of the times. But an elec trical engineer should be willing to do more than this. He should study to keep ahead of progress and do his share toward the instruc tion of others.