I was reading this article :
http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20030227-26542174.htm
and it is pretty scary. I am graduating with my BSEE in June. This has been one of the most difficult programs that an undergrad can get into. I went in thinking that I would have no problem finding a job when I graduated, but that was 4 years ago.
It seems alot has changed. Everything is being sent overseas where US companies can pay a chinese or indian engineer $5K to do the same work that I would need $50K to live on. It seems that all manufacturing AND engineering jobs are leaving the US. It used to be just manu jobs, but now eng are leaving by the truckload.
Engineering message boards are overloaded with people of all experience levels who have been laid off for over a year or never got jobs who have giant student loans to pay off. Many students feel they were lied to when they picked EE, or other engineering disciplines, as majors. They were told of the big bucks, stable jobs, etc… and they are no where to be found. If you have less than 3-5 years exp in a very specific part of the engineering feilds you may as well go flip burgers because you are not going to get hired.
All the talk about CO-OPs, internships, projects, etc… is worthless now because for every 1 COOP or internship opportunity out there, there are 60 undergrads trying to get them. ITs just as bad as the job market.
I am commissioning into the AF in July to get engineering exp there and secure a retirement in the process. But for the people who aren’t doing that the outlook looks bleak.
What can be done about this? Or is the damage done? Is there anyway to make US companies pay someone $50K here when they can pay an Indian $5K?
I think the first thing that needs to be done is to drop the H1B visas. There is no benefit to americans to be importing engineers and other degreed workers when there are so many here already that can’t find jobs. It also makes no sense for us to be importing people from abroad when the terror climate is so high.
Anyone?