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A lot of sci/eng grads don't go into sci/eng in workplace
Time Magazine did a cover story on this recently, and their conclusion reflects opinion that's been expressed on here. The problem is not that we don't graduate enough scientists and engineers, but rather companies in the U.S. don't reward scientists and engineers enough to make the fields attractive. The labs are not as nice or up-to-date as those abroad. Salaries are not competitive with other fields that those with sci/eng skills can also go into. Scientists are not well respected within their place of work, and are typically given "drudge work", rather than anything interesting. And there's not much possibility of advancement. In short, businesses here are making science and engineering dead-end careers.

Once students graduate with science and engineering degrees, a lot of them immediately go into business/finance fields, because their analytical skills translate well, and those fields pay better. Hence the sci/eng "shortage" that companies complain about.

A physicist they quoted gave a different perspective. He said that science has long been a laggard when it comes to cushy salaries. He said "Science is like sex. There are practical reasons for it, but that's not the reason why most people do it." I tend to agree. At least in my field of IT, I do it because I love it, and I'm willing to put up with a lot. Those who get into it for the salary don't stay for long.
Posted by: Mark Miller   Posted on: 03/21/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Message has been deleted.  pa2004 | 03/20/06
the bitter truth  BrutalTruth | 03/20/06
Of course we are stupid in math  Art Royce | 03/21/06
Yes, but it was inevitable ...  George Mitchell | 03/20/06
I Agree  John Zern | 03/20/06
Why would they join nato?  voska | 03/21/06
Per Capita, US Produces More Engineers Than China and India  Vicissidude | 03/20/06
How many Capitas?  sundby@... | 03/20/06
Graduating engineers is pointless  Art Royce | 03/21/06
A lot of sci/eng grads don't go into sci/eng in workplace  Mark Miller | 03/21/06
Does per capita mean anything  voska | 03/21/06
Absolute AND Per Capita  Vicissidude | 03/21/06
Failed education?  Anton Philidor | 03/21/06
Indian Graduates  Vicissidude | 03/21/06
PortGate: H1bGate: Bill Gates  mighetto | 03/20/06
I don't think so  Art Royce | 03/21/06
Well, all Americans believe in fairnesss, well, as long as  DonnieBoy | 03/20/06
Again like Techboy I agree to some of what you say, but  Laff | 03/21/06
Wake up call to unions  Mark Miller | 03/21/06
It's short sighted to only look at the Unions faults....  Laff | 03/21/06
The True Concern  toodevastate | 03/20/06
way to go america  leorj79 | 03/20/06
How are they going to buy much without wealth?  Mark Miller | 03/21/06
Just what do we make? I know in some cases we assemble.  Laff | 03/21/06
conspiracy puppets  rocketzoom | 03/21/06
When the dollar crashes...  redstone | 03/21/06
Pollyanna changes her mind.  Anton Philidor | 03/21/06
I agree  Art Royce | 03/21/06
Decidedly less bright  ebrke | 03/21/06
There is another even DARKER side to all this....  Laff | 03/21/06
agreed....and not just losing high end jobs  wrench_ninja | 03/21/06
Well think of it this way  Mark Miller | 03/21/06
True Mr. Gates...true:)  Laff | 03/21/06
Yes, the global high-tech work force is bad for U.S.  mKind | 03/21/06
Common agreement  MyLord | 03/21/06
The point being  MyLord | 03/21/06
It's a character issue...  techboy_z | 03/21/06
Over simplify much?  Laff | 03/21/06
A bit of subject....but  Laff | 03/22/06
You are correct, but...  Art Royce | 03/22/06
Do NOT underestimae the slacker or lazy person!!!  Laff | 03/22/06
Perhaps ... Tariffs ... ?  NetObserver | 03/22/06
RE: Is a global high-tech work force bad for U.S.?  codeit | 08/12/09

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