Why would you want to be an engineer? Seriously why, when you could do manual labour, be an electrician, cementer, crane driver, or work in a number of other trades? The other trades pay more, give you better conditions, and you don't need to go work for some mining company in the middle of no where to earn a wage.
I know electricians who did their trade after their EE degree for this reason. Sure you can make a mint as an engineer but is it worth it having to live in a remote country town in order to do so?
Or why not become a "financial engineer". You get to use your brain, you get paid massive bonuses for creating zero wealth, and you don't get treated as a second class citizen.
China or Germany don't have this problem. They raise their engineers onto pedestals bigger than those the Americans would reserve for bankers.
Why would you want to be an engineer?
Am I the only person who sees this post as crazy?
I don't live in the middle of nowhere. I live in a city.
I make better wages, have better benefits, and better working conditions than the trades.
Again, I don't live in a remote country town. Granted, I have to commute to the suburbs, but I can still live in a city.
I feel like I'm raised onto a pedestal. I feel respected whenever I meet people and they ask what my profession is. I date a lot and girls always get a little misty eyed when they find out (Yes, lots of interesting and attractive women actually respect brains).
Also, the work is AWESOME! Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers, Firmware, Software, Fixtures.
It really doesn't get better than this.