Thoughts on professional ethics

While attending Carnegie Mellon University in the late 1980s, I attended two on-campus presentations by author Kurt Vonnegut. At the time, the university received large research grants each year from the US military to conduct research in support of the Reagan-era defence buildup. Vonnegut pleaded with students to adopt an ethical standard in their careers, even going to far as to suggest creating the equivalent of a “hippocratic oath” for engineers, and specifically to refuse work in the military sector.

Inspired, I declined the opportunity to interview with the countless military contractors hiring young graduates and chose to explore more values-based options in my career. I committed myself to maintaining a high standard when choosing employers and clients. Specifically, that standard omits:

• National government agencies in the intelligence, military, or foreign policy sectors
• Companies with significantly destructive environmental practices
• Organizations with a stated position opposing LGBTQ equality

The limits evolved from years of thoughtful consideration and discussion. I continue to politely decline opportunities in the listed areas, and support others who chose to adhere to their own standards.