Engineering in America ... What's the Future?

Last night we put down my son's enrollment deposit to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (#1 ranking from US News). Erik is excited about his choice (read my entire series ... the college search from a parent's perspective). I'm also thrilled with his choice, but as a father I must consider this issue: What's the future of engineering in America?

For an answer, I'm going to pull upon my alma matter, Dartmouth.  Dean Helble notes that American Media has taken a sensationalistic approach which makes it seem like "the sky is falling". In fact, this year's graduating class at Rose-Hulman had on average 5 job offers per newly minted engineer! If one keeps current, there is plenty of engineering work in the U.S.A.

Here is a quote and podcast from Dean Helble which further expands upon this subject:

• Podcast: Making Engineering Relevant
  .
• Quote: (read entire article)
  "Unfortunately, students considering a technology-based education these days are confronted by stories of the growing numbers of engineers in countries such as India and China, stories suggesting that many U.S.-based engineering jobs will be outsourced. The implicit message is that America doesn't need to develop its own technical talent. This is wrong, and it is a dangerous message to send to those now making decisions about colleges, their majors and their careers." ...
  "It is true that India and China produce more engineers than the United States, but per capita production of engineers in those countries lags far behind that of the United States, and those countries, with their needs for basic infrastructure, have ample work to keep their local engineers busy for decades, The question is not whether we are graduating as many engineers as India or China, the question is whether we are producing the technical talent we need to create new industries and address pressing problems in energy, health care, the environment, sustainable manufacturing, security and communications."

Finally, some of Dean Helble's article is based upon the report written by the former president of the University of Michigan, James Duderstadt: Engineering for a Changing World.

I think Erik made a great choice, and has an excellant future!

   

Comments

[Rich Hoeg ... the NorthStar Nerd]

Response to John Streyle: Sorry you feel so negative about America's technology future. While jobs certainly move across international boundaries, if one keeps current and even "on the cutting edge" there is lots of work available. However, a key point is one must keep reinventing oneself through research and education. This is a personal responsibility, not something to expect from your employer.

I am still very happy with Erik's choice of schools. He has been offered and accepted a position with GE's engineering co-op program.

[John Streyle]

Tell this story to all the laid-off engineers in the US, and see what they say! Tell it to my co-workers (electronic and mechanical designers) that were laid off 18 months ago!
I was shocked to talk to a high-school buddy (a guy smarter than me - with an MSEE, very creative) He's been laid off twice, and is now unemployed, seeking some *other* type of work than engineering. "Electronic engineers are a dime a dozen" was his statement. The grim fact is that anything that can be easily moved via the internet (like electronic design information) can be done much cheaper somewhere else than the US, and the work is going there. As a mechanical engineer myself, I'll advise my sons to seek something else. Corporate America is going for the quick profits of cheap outsourcing, and design engineering is something easily outsourced. What'll be next?

[Puneet Gupta]

One of the most fascinating, intriguing (and IMHO the most compelling) point of view on this issue of "What's the future of engineering,..." is articulated by Sir Ken Robinson, a renowned professor and writer, who challenges the way we are educating our children.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

He takes the debate from 'engineering in America' vs 'engineering in India or China' to a little different level and contrasts engineering disciplines with arts and science, and further talks about the issue of 'education inflation'. Not to mention his captivating and enthralling style of delivering his message.

One of ways that United States education system is different from what you find in India (perhaps China) is the emphasis on 'practicality'. I hear this all the time from students coming from India to US for their graduate studies...that they are amazed and invigorated by the emphasis on real practical hands-on approach to teaching vs more theory based (cramming) approach back home.
I believe as long as the emphasis on hands-on approach continues, and creativity is encouraged and rewarded...US education system will maintain its lead (in the form of the quality of its products - its graduates).