[jsb944]

I (an ME) think many of you have nailed it.

I don't think it's about 'glamour' necessarily....it's about respect and money. What drive is there for a bright young kid to become an engineer over say...a doctor or lawyer? He or she will make far less (unless they choose to get their MBA after a masters) and have far less opportunity.

In addition...in the US we seem to want to funnel everyone toward being a manager...with that being the only way to earn a really nice living. Heck in my office (we are in the process of changing this) if you currently are a technical engineer...eg. you do the work...you are very limited in terms of salary growth....and once you get 'there'....that's it....done...no other career path or area to advance unless you want to manage.

I think when you add up level of effort and time to get thru your BS, get a masters and get your PE and then compare to a BA at school X and three hard years to get a JD and pass the bar......and then look at what your potential is in each of these paths....it's very obvious why we have SO many lawyers compared to Engineers.....heck we make lawyers like the franklin mint makes commemorative elvis coins.

The message we telegraph to young people is that if you want to work your ass off, have a well respected profession AND get the big buks/opportunity...be a lawyer or stock trader.

If you want to just work your ass off be an engineer.

By the way, I have on occasion been a speaker at several schools in similar courses as the one you mention. I absolutely love what I do...and although I don't have an MBA I have received incredible mentorship from our executives and from them, gained the tools I need to manage.....and therefore have advanced beyond 'drone'.