A study to determine and compare work assignments of technologists in selected industrial oriented technologies

Abstract

The technological development that followed World War II caused widespread changes industrial occupations. New approaches to principles of science were developed so rapidly that engineers lacked the knowledge to apply them. In an effort to close the "knowledge gap" engineering schools increased the amount of theoretical course content and eliminated much of the practical. As engineering became more abstract, professional personnel having a practical or operational type education were in short supply. The federal government became more concerned about the problem. The President's Commission on Higher Education studied the problem and recommended that technical workers called "technicians" be trained. The junior colleges and technical institutes provided training programs. Curricula varied in length from two to three years and the graduates were commonly awarded associate degrees. Shortly after the "space race" between the Soviet Union and the United States became intense, four-year technological programs were developed in some colleges. The graduates were awarded baccalaureate degree in technology and assumed the title of "Technologist." ...