Re: From Joel Orr

=================== I suggest that you take a very close look at the actual data rather than NSF [National Science Foundation] press releases. For example

Review google on {NSF shortage engineer OR technician} for > 112k hits. Talk to the NSPE [National Society of Profession Engineers] and see how many of their current [and former] members [licensed engeneers] are able to find employment in the field. Ignore the fluff and spin, request actual numbers.

Talk with the other engineering societies and see how their current and former members are making out. Again, ask for actual numbers and not the hype/spin. Start with the SAE [Society of Automotive Engineers] and SME [Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Collect the H1b visa data and compare with the wage and employment rates in engineering positions of new and recent engineering graduates.

Project the the trends for the amount of manufacturing and related activities which depend on manufacturing such as construction that *MAY* hire engineers.

Collect annual salary data for the different types of engineers and the hours work per year over the last 20 years and project these into the future. Collect the data on actual promotion and advancement within organizations for persons with and engineering degree and/or responsibilities.

Go back and re-read the NSF press releases.

Now draw your own conclusions....

Unka' George [George McDuffee]

------------------------------------------- He that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils: for Time is the greatest innovator: and if Time, of course, alter things to the worse, and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall be the end?

Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English philosopher, essayist, statesman. Essays, "Of Innovations" (1597-1625).