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
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- 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!
