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December 27, 2005
The Engineering Gap: A Myth?
Is there really an "engineering gap" between the United States and its technological competitors? Brian Schwarz at The American Thinker says "No.":
As I noted here last week, a new study from Duke University suggests the so-called engineering gap between America and its Asian rivals China and India is a myth. Now BusinessWeek has uncovered some possible reasons behind this “propaganda” and the detrimental effect it is having America’s current high-tech workers.
It seems that both sides are using the imaginary gap to further its own interests: the Asians are using the inflated numbers to lure investment; special interests in US are using the numbers to support their case for protectionist policies or greater government spending on education.
I've often wondered whether there's some connection between the engineering industry and the employment marketeers. It seems the employment section of our local paper regularly features profiles of the engineering profession, and the news is always that "demand will be strong for the foreseeable future"--regardless of the current demand.
There is no doubt, though, that we must do a better job of math and science education, starting in elementary school.
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Comments
There ia no shortage of American engineers out here, sharp veterans of the Cold War, looking for work. An employer is faced with a choice of one of these, or a recent grad from the Indian Institute of Technology (Asok of Dilberts alma mater). Either one will require about the same time to ramp up to the new position, but the IIT graduate will do the job for half as much.
To be fair, a new grad from State U would be competitive in this market, having 75% of the knowledge and demanding 50% of the money. When you're limited in your career to 10-15 years before you start looking much less attractive, there's less incentive to get into it in the first place.
Posted by: Billll at December 31, 2005 07:27 PM
