[snowsislander]

I think that if the student had perceived the economic rewards of being an engineer as far greater than being an investment banker or lawyer, then he might have made more of an effort: "You party and blow off homework now, but in ten years, you'll be making merely wonderful money as investment bankers and consultants, while I'll be getting laid off from a great job at General Electric."

But his observation is accurate: it is simply more economically sensible to go into another career than engineering. Unless that dynamic were somehow to change, and I don't see that happening, our best and brightest will tend more toward careers that make more money and are less subject to lay-offs. (Though I might point out to the young man that while the legal profession doesn't seem to have many lay-offs, investment banking is not immune to them.)

[Professional Engineer]

Though I might point out to the young man that while the legal profession doesn't seem to have many lay-offs,

Or time off. But hey, it's only life right.