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Reversing the Loss of Science and Engineering Careers
walterbyrd writes "In response to the alleged shortages of qualified American engineers and technology professionals, numerous initiatives have been launched to boost interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers and to strengthen STEM education in the United States. Unfortunately, these programs have not proven successful, and many blame the laziness of modern students, the ineptitude of their teachers, poor parenting or, when there are no other excuses remaining, they may even jump to moral decay as a causative agent. However, the failure of STEM is because the very policies that created the shortages continue unabated. This is not a uniquely American problem. The best way to increase interest in STEM degrees is by making certain that STEM careers are actually viable."
I think a lot of engineers would be OK with that if US companies would actually make low-wage job offers to US citizens, instead of just blindly looking abroad. Heck, my first development job paid significantly less than a "fresher" in India makes, and I got by! But companies don't seem to do that.
They don't do that probably because those junior engineers will start looking for a new job the minute they've signed the paperwork to work for these companies, and as soon as they find something that pays $1/hour more, they're outta there. And for very good reason: a typical college grad these days can expect, thanks to skyrocketing college tuitions and costs, to be $100,000 in debt when they graduate with their BS*E. It's pretty hard to pay back a $100k (or even a $50k) loan, and have money to live on, if you're only getting paid $20k or whatever. It's even worse if the company is in a city that has a higher cost-of-living.
You mention "freshers" in India; Indian engineers (living in India) are notorious for jumping ship as soon as they get a job offer for slightly more than their current rate.