The Patriot News Review and Opinion December 28, 2003 A Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a master's in engineering design, a professional engineer's license, 27 years of engineering experience, working for some of the premier companies in America, six U.S. patents. And no market value whatsoever. Here I am, 53, supposedly at the peak of my earnings career, when I should be packing away money toward my retirement. Instead I've been cooling my heels for more than a year, and I'm having to think seriously about taking a McJob just to bring in money, and maybe gain health care coverage....