[JoeSchem]

As a BSEE of the University of Washington, I recently got to work as a landscaping digger on my alma mater. I was making $8.63 an hour as a temp, and I only get work about half the time. I was working alongside an illegal immigrant making $13/hr under the table (which is like $18 an hour above the table) and who got hired his first day as a temp (even though that's probably a violation of the rules of his temp agency . . . but he'll never tell!).

Actually, 'working alongside' is a misstatement. They hired me because the weather was really hot and the work was really hard and they couldn't hire an illegal immigrant willing to do it. So basically, at age 47, I was doing the work that illegal immigrants won't do.

[snopercod]

I can relate. But you should prepare yourself for more good news.

Once you hit 50, nobody will hire you as an engineer. Your only options will be to go into business for yourself or get out of engineering altogether.

[Aquinasfan]

As a BSEE of the University of Washington, I recently got to work as a landscaping digger on my alma mater. I was making $8.63 an hour as a temp, and I only get work about half the time.

I can't believe this. I graduated as an ME in '84 although I've never worked as one (by choice). I remember that EE's could write their own ticket back then. My how times have changed. I also remember that EE was very, very tough. It has to be tougher than med or law school.