“If you need a mechanical engineer, the fact that candidate A, with no degree builds hotrods makes him infinitely better than candidate B who got straight A’s in engineering shchool and has no outside interest in mechanical stuff. The same is true in all professions. An electrical tech with a ham license is 50 times better than a degreed engineer who has never built any of his own equipment.”
I remain skeptical of your assertion about qualifications. Engineers need a good understanding of math and science. Building engines does not provide a good background in math and science. Obtaining a ham license does not provide sufficient training in math and science for electrical engireering work. I agree that a degree is not sufficient but practical experience as a mechanic or radio operator does not provide sufficient training. In most cases, it is far easier for a degreed engineer to obtain relevant work experience than a mechanic and electrician to obtain background in math and science.
I agree that that a degree is not a prerequisite for engineering work. Individuals need training and experience with some certified credentials especially for entry level positions. University education needs major overhauls for much lower costs, increased flexibility, and standardized results.
“I remain skeptical of your assertion about qualifications. Engineers need a good understanding of math and science. Building engines does not provide a good background in math and science. Obtaining a ham license does not provide sufficient training in math and science for electrical engireering work.”
I spent half of my 33 working years hiring engineers. I hire first for attitude. Second, I look for a consuming interest that tells me the person will be interested in the job; interested enough to acquire the background they need. On several occasions, I interviewed EE’s with straight A’s from FAMU. One, I finally asked, “can you tell me what V=IR means?” (A central equation in her field that she should have used 100’s of times.) She couldn’t. I asked if she could tell me what any of the letters stood for, she said no. I was very careful writing up the interview as I’d been told the company wanted her. The HR lady was furious with me and the company, Honeywell, made her an offer anyway. We were out bid by TI. Another straight A engineer was having problems with his car battery, so I told him how to troubleshoot it. Turns out, he had no idea how an alternator worked.
A college degree in business is a good primer for the business world. I’m not so sure other degreeS aren’t more or less worthless, or even detrimental to a healthy and productive life. Most professors are obtuse leftists, and this held true way back to the 1970’s. Both of my paqrents were full professors : )
I’m on a odd keyboard....pardon the typos : )