[onewhippedpuppy]

Blue Sky, I would have loved to attend your school. Throughout our entire 135 hours of AE curriculum, there was not one opportunity to get your hands dirty or put your education to work. My mechanical knowledge and inclination is a result of my own interests, not my education.

I think most modern engineering schools require you to take a variety of general ed classes. My early classes included two speech classes, two writing classes, natural and human sciences, etc. This is core curriculum at most schools. Where they fall short is actually applying the theory that they teach. I'd be willing to bet that 1/2 of my fellow students would be hard pressed to change the oil on their car, yet they are headed out into the world to design complex mechanical systems. Scary.....