Apparently slashdot mobile didn't like the enter keys I put in. Sorry for the run-on...

Sounds like you went into the wrong area with your anecdotal evidence. I'll give mine then. I started off I the utility sector working with controls (production engineer, then a system engineer) and now work in manufacturing in controls. Salary was at $90k after six years and I'm on track to pay off all of my loans early (half were paid off in less than five). That was with $55k in student loan debt. I get contacted by recruiters every one-two weeks about jobs either working at power or manufacturing plants or doing design work/contract work. Some of those jobs would be travel, but not all. I can see your point about losing some of your college experience, as I do not do heavy math anymore and work on PLC and Visual Basic programming, along with some power work. The core concepts still get used but in a qualitative way, especially when having to troubleshoot system issues. I love what I actually do, as I get to do some small-scale design work and get time out in the field pulling wire, troubleshooting with a fluke meter, messing with PLCs and robotics. Anyways, I'm sorry you feel like you got a bad wrap, but based on the peers I worked with in the nuclear industry and now in manufacturing not every electrical engineer is doomed to middle management. Some of us actually like what we do or have no desire to head up that way. Also a lot of us cannot be easily outsourced. If I worked in automotive, then that would be another story salary and enjoyment-wise : )