Shifting Gears: Leaving a Legacy in a Perpetually Changing Field

In 1926, Danish physician Johannes Fibiger concluded years of cancer research with the determination that microscopic parasites were the cause of cancerous tumors in rats. For his accomplishments, Fibiger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology. Fibiger’s legacy was cemented as one of his generation’s most successful scientists, but his seemingly secure legacy quickly fell apart. Fibiger’s discovery was later disproven due to subsequent research attributing the tumors to dietary factors, underscoring the transient nature of legacy when anchored solely to professional accomplishments. 

For engineers, legacy transcends the mere accumulation of tangible achievements. Legacy embodies the aspiration to shape the world through innovation and problem-solving, with solutions that endure beyond one’s lifetime and positively impact society. However, the field of engineering is inherently dynamic, with technological advancements continually rendering previous innovations obsolete. This ongoing evolution can make the quest for a lasting legacy seem daunting, instilling a mix of uncertainty and humility in those in the field. Additionally, another level of complexity enters the equation of defining an engineer’s legacy when considering the mindset every engineer is trained to embody: skepticism. Engineers are trained to question assumptions and rigorously evaluate scientific findings. This skepticism, while essential for ensuring the reliability and safety of engineering projects, can also cast doubt on the permanence of one’s contributions. Even groundbreaking innovations face scrutiny and revision as new evidence or methodologies emerge. This perpetual cycle of skepticism and reassessment causes meaningful and impactful work to become fickle and fleeting. Spending one’s career constantly calculating confidence intervals on work that will most likely be deemed outdated or outright erroneous seems ironic at best and torturous at worst. 

The most optimistic professors and professionals in the field suggest that despite the evolving field in which we work, it is the processes and methodologies that will endure. They tell us that by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, we as engineers aim to leave behind a legacy, not only in the form of tangible inventions but also in the knowledge and values that we impart to future generations of engineers. They may argue that by embracing change and uncertainty, we find resilience in the belief that our collective efforts contribute to a greater legacy of progress and innovation for humankind. This is where our hope is supposed to come from—this is our reason for pursuing excellence as engineers. However, it is clear that this hope is not enough.

The pursuit of a legacy based solely on professional accomplishment can result in a fragile sense of self that is vulnerable to external fluctuations and internal doubts, contributing to anxiety and depression. Engineers face intense pressure to innovate and excel, placing their self-worth in the tangibility of their creations. This identification with one’s work, while initially motivating, can lead to significant mental health challenges when faced with failure or when personal achievements do not meet societal expectations. A 2022 report on mental health among engineers corroborates these claims by revealing staggering statistics that display the lack of hope in the realm of engineering. The report found that nearly one in five engineers had lost a work colleague to suicide, over a third would describe their mental health as fair or poor, a fourth have considered self-harm or suicide, and over a fifth have had to take time off work because of mental health [1]. It is obvious that the prospect of legacy is a shallow source of hope for practicing engineers, begging the question: how does one have hope and aspire to leave behind a strong legacy while maintaining mental health and purpose? 

Every engineer must wrestle with the fragility of their own legacy and the personal vulnerability it creates. But the Christian engineer has a remarkable answer to this problem found in the biblical view of legacy that shifts the focus from personal achievements to a more enduring connection with God. In this perspective, identity is not anchored to evolving and often unpredictable professional outcomes but is instead based on a relationship with an unchanging and dependable Father. This spiritual grounding offers a stable foundation for self-worth and identity, mitigating the mental strains associated with potential failures or unrealized ambitions. By valuing divine principles over worldly acclaim, individuals cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the temporal nature of earthly achievements. Christians believe that such a worldview not only enriches one’s mental health but also redefines legacy as being found in a relationship with Jesus.

This is not to say that Christians do not experience depression and anxiety. In fact, I believe that God knew we would experience depression and anxiety as He guides us in managing our mental health. He tells us to “not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, [to] present our requests to God.” And in return, the Bible states that God provides peace that “surpasses all understanding” and “will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus” [2]. In the book of Luke, Jesus addresses this when he asks his disciples, “Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?”[3]

Does this mean that our pursuits as engineers and scientists are useless? Absolutely not. In Proverbs 10:4, a book written about wisdom for life, it states, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” [4]. It is clear that the Bible honors and encourages work, creativity, and innovation. Moreover, the pursuit of science in the context of Christianity helps me acknowledge that God’s complexly perfect creation warrants study, leading me to deeper curiosity and love for a God so wonderful, brilliant, and creative to engineer a world like ours. 

Innumerable approximations of chemical systems and processes have comprised my undergraduate studies in chemical engineering. It can be exhausting, my feeble attempt to approximate God’s perfect creation. How many exceptions to the general rules do we learn about in just one class of general chemistry? Even two full centuries of scientific endeavors have failed to define God’s perfect creation. However, I still have hope. I believe that God is the ultimate engineer. My desire to study science is rooted in a desire to know the God who created it in the first place. This pursuit may not seem like legacy to most. Yet, I cannot think of a more fulfilling legacy than to root my career and studies in God, the engineer of this world. The engineer who set the world in motion is the same engineer who made you and me. And because this engineer made me, He knows my strengths and weaknesses. Still, He chooses to have a relationship with me. Such a truth as great as this warrants reverence and study for His beautifully complex creation- wouldn’t you agree?

1. McBride-Wright, Mark. “Masculinity in Engineering Report.” EqualEngineers, 25 Oct. 2022, equalengineers.com/masculinity-in-engineering-report/.
2. Philippians 4:7 CSB.
3. Luke 12:25-26 CSB.
4. Proverbs 10:4 CSB. See also Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 13:4, and Proverbs 21:5.