I keep on hearing that there will be shortage of engineers in the near future even though they tend to be highly paid. However, I wouldn't want my kid to major in engineer field to avoid harsh working condition and treatment by high tech companies such as Intel or having to compete against the ever increasing H1B engineer candidates. What is your thought on this?
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And people like BK and GAtes talk about the "shortage" of STEM candidates even while laying off US tech employeea by the droves. Many families I happen to know and their kids are not interested in an engineering career. The few who want to are very bright - aiming for MITs and Caltech, and not a cubicle worm at Intel or Microsoft. These business leaders have removed the incentive for engineering education by their continual demand for lower wage H1Bscand low cost Geo's.
I was an engineer and I was very good at my job. The problem was an H1B would do the job for 1/6 of what I could. Its didn't matter they didn't do as good a job, because they were so much cheaper. Plus, all other companies were hiring them so there was no competitive advantage to doing good work or having a better product.
I agree that H1B candidates are not better than Americans. If it will be a fair competition against H1B candidates then I wouldn't have any problem with it. However, we all know that it is not a fair competition when you are in the 25% or less minority group when working at high-tech companies like Intel.
H1Bs are NOT better than Americans. Go to any National Lab, NASA, and Research Lab. They just don't want to be underutilised doing sh--ty work at companies like Intel.
Please do not be harsh on your fellow Americans.
US employees are fighting an economic system. An economic system, which pays an US person at least 5 to 10times the salary of an Indian, for exactly the same work. It is not humanly possible to increase the productivity 5 or 10 times. Hence it is suicide for corporations if they do not shift jobs to low cost economies. In fact H1B system might be cushioning the impact on US economy. At least US is getting the rent and living-expenses of the foreigners back into its economy.
US employees have two options
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Wait for N more years, till markets push Indian salary levels as high as US.
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Reduce expenses so that one can survive on a lesser salary.
Both are very bitter and difficult options. But I do not see any other way out.
Nice question OP. I think the same about my 6 year old.
I became an engineer as that was the only gateway to an assured 'good' job. I was a good student and hence got through the exams and interviews. HOWEVER, I am mediocre at my job and most of people around me are the same. It seems corporations are okay with a mass of mediocres (like me) and few bright sparks. Personally, this hurts like hell. I did not want to be another brick in the wall but that is what has happened.
I guess I did not spend enough time to figure out my passion and that has been my undoing. To be fair, I do not complain against the money I got as an engineer. I never dreamt of such money in my childhood.
Going back to original question, I would like my kid to find her passion. I have no clear idea regarding how to go about that. I hope to figure it out. Also, I would not try to keep her away from harshness. Harshness and tough conditions at job are here to stay. If she can find a job which aligns with her passion, the job harshness won't seem harsh to her. That will be a nice place to be in.
Disclosure: I am an Indian. The H1B concern does not apply to us but we face very hard local competition. So the concern for kids future has similar dynamics.
Be a vibrator engineer working in the porn industry. H1B people won't be able to do that job due to religious beliefs.
They make more money than engineers. Good ones anyways.
Haha. Love response by 1puc.
Oh! this post is so sad. This is exactly the problem with America today. We forgot how to work hard and compete. You relaize if you don't push your kids towards Engg/STEM H1b will always stick around. What happened to us? We used to be pioneers. Now parents are taking about "avoiding harsh working condition and treatment by high tech companies". You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. You don't deserve to be Americans.
Mommas don't let their babies grown up to be chip cowboys (or girls)! Plenty of other fields out there.
Good question. My child is still not yet at school but he looks like having an innovative mind. I will make sure he chooses a solid job that he is excited about.
Medical school. All those old farts that ruined their health chasing the intel dream are going to need health care. The ones still there will need happy pills for the stress.
Engineers all want their children to grow up to be Doctors, Dentist and Lawyers, any questions, LOL.
Sure engineering can be good profession if you are good, but don't get old and stale or you'll be up a creek with no paddle. Look at the aerospace engineer, petroleum engineer, the process engineer, the "next" to be outsourced or replaced engineer...
Also foreigners are willing to work harder and for less than most american born and educated lazy fat A$$ kids
Hard choice.
Same boat.
"Humans need not apply"
There will be no shortage of Engineers because corporations are in the pockets of politicians and there will be an abundance of H1B Visa candidates to choose from.
People need an actual skill. I think a BS in 'art history' or some other almost useless degree is more tragic than ever with the price of college now and the amount of debt kids graduate with. Electrical or Mechanical engineering may have a better outlook. Software engineering jobs have been sent to cheaper geos and you can see the same happening with HW engineering. A skilled trade may be a route to sustained employment as well.