These students are smart. They do not want to invest their time and money in order to compete with Indians and Chinese for low wages without any job security and to be dumped after they get 40 years old.
If they're native born and can get and maintain a high security clearance, they will be employed at a very good salary for life.
This sure did happen to me. We are pressing our two really smart boys to go into medicine or anything besides "engineering for the ingrates".
I don't even know why this issue still comes up on FR anymore. its not even debatable anymore - the free market and global trade have spoken, these tech jobs can be done for less offshore, so they will be.
My cousin's husband, who is a biochemist, was dumped at age 61, after more than 20 years with the same company. Imagine trying to find a new job when you are 61.
OTOH, with the Pelosi/Reid cutbacks in defense (and don't kid yourself, Space as well, after all how many votes do the Martians have?), I may find myself in about the same situation at 58 or 59. I think I'm OK for this year, assuming our contract is signed off soon by the General for CY 07. FY 08 is when the cutbacks, both in Army civilians and contract dollars are slated to begin.
These students are smart. They do not want to invest their time and money in order to compete with Indians and Chinese for low wages without any job security and to be dumped after they get 40 years old.
Exactly right. The wailing about tech shortages has been going on for decades. The real problem is that various companies live in mortal fear of paying employees a wage that justifies 4 years (or more) of a challenging curriculum.
When China pulls ahead in the tech race, be sure to thank a free traitor!