http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/25/news/economy/engineering-best-paid-jobs/index.html?iid=SF_E_River
Basically, the point the article is trying to make is that we as liberal arts college students, are screwed. Engineering is the way to go if we want to seek a high paying job in the future which most of us do. According to a report out Thursday from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, seven of the top 10 highest-paid college degrees are in engineering.
Petroleum engineering majors are the highest paid, with starting salaries averaging $93,500, according to the association. That's at least $20,000 more than the average salary for computer engineers, who are the second-highest paid group on the list. Other highly-paid engineering degrees are in the fields of chemical, aerospace, mechanical, electrical/electronic, communications and technology, with starting pay ranging from $62,200 to $67,600 per year.
Computer science is the most lucrative non-engineering degree, with an average starting pay of $64,800. The only other non-engineering degrees placing in the top 10 for pay are managing information systems/business ($63,100) and finance ($57,400.)
God bless us all.
3 comments:
It is unfortunate that liberal arts tend not to have engineering. However, I think the liberal arts degree is very attractive to employers. Even if we, the students, hate the fact that we have to hit a wide range of different studies and requirements, employers see us as more rounded individuals. In addition, engineering takes a specific kind of individual with certain skills. It is very hard to learn and to implement. Sure, if you get through the years of learning and succeed, the payout is great. But I believe as immigrants from nations that emphasize science and math in their schooling come to our markets, the wages will sooner or later decline. Also, speaking with family friends that work in the research triangle in North Carolina, engineering is often mundane. Sure, you get to create and be innovative. But most of the time, there is hours and hours of research and testing required before you get to the "creative" phase. In all honesty, I would rather start at a decent entry level salary position and end up making just as much or more than engineers in a job that I have a passion for and love.
In a world that is becoming more technologically advanced, of course engineering is a higher paid alternative. It also requires a ridiculous amount of undergrad work, as well as very particular skills. I have friends who are at high level institutions studying engineering, and I can tell you that they are earning every single dollar they will make. They basically have to complete an entire math major, as well as high level chem and physics. It's an extremely taxing major, it makes sense that due to the difficulty of it they make more coming out.
This ties in with what I have been reading recently about the government preferring teachers who specialise in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) versus the humanities or social sciences. They apply similar thinking to priority for work visas as well, is my understanding. I agree with your sentiment that we're screwed in comparison to engineers.
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