Reply #6: Why do you think engineers get hired into so many

[exboyfil]

different fields? Either companies are moving in lockstep without considering the bottom line (engineers are expensive) or engineers bring value to these companies.

Also if we have too many engineering and science graduates, why do we have so many H-1B Visa individuals?

My company recently doubled the bounty on bringing engineering recruits into our company. I was shocked, but this indicates that we are having difficulty recruiting talent.

I am advising my daughter, who is interested in video editing/cinema/journalism, to pursue an engineering undergraduate degree with a film studies minor. At least in today's market the difference is stark: $60K+ starting salary as an engineer with 90%+ placement versus $30K and uncertain placement. The nice thing about an engineering degree, which you pointed out, is that it can take you in almost any direction; and, if your avocation does not work out, it will serve to put food on the table in the interim.

Engineers also study other fields besides math and science. Many (like me) spend a great deal of time studying history. I am also interested in archeology, general science, and education. Many liberal arts degrees have little quantitative content, but most science and engineering majors contain extensive humanities and social studies content.