Thanks for interjecting some reality into this thread. The fact that U.S. manufacturing output *per worker* is so high is not exactly a "problem" for our society - it's what gives us such a high standard of living. I'm not advocating we ignore the losses suffered by individuals whose jobs are lost through technological change, increased international trade, or deregulation of industry. There may be a sensible role for government to step in and subsidize retraining and relocation for them, along with providing *temporary* income support. The Bush Administration introduced a plan whereby, under certain circumstances, you can "cash out" your unemployment compensation entitlement to pay for such retraining costs.
As for the alleged dearth of high-paying jobs for recent graduates, my father-in-law says it's extremely difficult for his small architectural/engineering firm to find qualified new hires for less than $100,000 a year.
There are always going to be people who bet on the wrong horse when they pick a college major. Remember aerospace engineers in the early 70's? More recently, MIS majors? I know this is going to seem terribly old-fashioned, but there is still value in a diversified, rigorous liberal-arts background (not, of course, the mushy-headed stuff taught now in comp lit departments). Maybe diversification is even more valuable today than it was in the past because of the faster pace of change.
My dad's is an engineering consultant for various automotive industry companies. Finding well-trained workers with a good work ethic has always been a problem for the companies he has worked for. Everthing from welders to design engineers.
I know this is going to seem terribly old-fashioned, but there is still value in a diversified, rigorous liberal-arts background
I tend to agree. Pushing your kids into a highly specialized field doesn't seem like a great idea, IMO.
"but there is still value in a diversified, rigorous liberal-arts background"
Well you should hire this particular skill set and at the same time tell us the buildings that they will design so that we can avoid them.
Garbage can only design more garbage.
Qualified accountants are also extremely hard to find. While I'm not downplaying what may be happening to the techies, there are lots of fields that are growing right now. The key for current students is to study the job market and find the fields that have growth opportunity.
What exactly are his requirements? Can you list them?