Question for Engineers

[elektrafried]

Is the electrical engineering being performed overseas for U.S.projects? Has there been a large amount of E.E.'s from overseas emigrating to the U.S.? Are E.E. salaries stagnating like the wireman/installers are (in many parts of the country) or are they keeping pace with the cost of living? I'm thinking of going back to school and have been advised by someone who reads a lot (but is not in this trade) that much of the engineering in the U.S. is being performed by engineers overseas.I'm not sure if he had this particular trade in mind and would like some more information so I can make an informed decision.Thanks in advance.

[ May 19, 2005, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: elektrafried ]

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Re: Question for Engineers

Originally posted by elektrafried:

Are E.E. salaries stagnating like the wireman/installers are (in many parts of the country) or are they keeping pace with the cost of living?

I think all salaries (except that of CEOs) are under pressure. It is becoming a "world" economy, and all standards of living are going to migrate to the mean.

 

[hmspe]

Re: Question for Engineers

I think the friend is lumping all engineers together and is drawing incorrect conclusions. A lot of machine design, software design, and similar work is being done overseas. The type engineering that's discussed here is not -- in most cases it requires licensure by the state where the work is done. While it's not impossible for people outside the USA to be licensed, it's not a trivial matter. If you check the list of licensees at any state's site you'll see very few overseas addresses.

Martin

 

[tony_psuee]

Re: Question for Engineers

Engineering jobs in the US are being filled by people immigrating to this country and also are going overseas. There has been an ongoing "battle" over the past few years between the academic and industry forces on the number of H1B visas issued for technical people to come into the US and work. Academics want more and industry wants less. Regardless, the number of engineering graduates in the US has been on the decline almost every year. Salary is dependent on geography and what you actually wind up doing. You can see two engineers in the same area, same years of experience and a significant difference in salary based on jobs. I think a little research on an job board will give you an idea of which "specialties" within electrical engineering are hot at this time. I would say though with a trade background you have a leg up on applied knowledge and a lot more credibility on a job site.

Tony

 

[kaltbier]

Re: Question for Engineers

I am an electrical engineer who went back to school to get his EE degree at the age of 33. I was 40 when I graduated with a BSEE (had to work and support a family). Getting this degree was a *hard* experience, but I will not relate it here.

I will say that my salary and those I associated with on jobs changed significantly. Furthermore, my job description changed significantly. No longer was I on wiring pulling, conduit bending, device installing crews on commercial jobs. I became a technician with a degree. As my technical skills and successes increased, so did my salary, which led to increased responsibilities, which led to more successes which led to more experiences, skills, successes and salary. My *base* salary (after less than 10 years) is under $100k/year, and yet it amounts to much more because I work offshore Gulf of Mexico and overseas in places like Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon. That part of the job which I have specialized is fixing systems which are down. It doesn't matter whether it is electrical (starters & drives), instrumentation, controls, pneumatics, PLCs, HMIs, etc. If it is broken, I do not leave until it is fixed or I know why. When the parts are available I return and finish (or remain until they do).

In addition, the engineers over there do not compare with engineers over here. And I am not just talking about technical ability and knowhow. However, their wiremen are on a par with ours.

Get your BSEE degree. You will rate it as one of the best decisions you ever made.

 

[celtic]

Re: Question for Engineers

Microsoft Chairman: End overseas hiring limits

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates urged the Bush administration and lawmakers Wednesday to abolish immigration limits on foreign engineers who can be hired by U.S. companies, a sensitive subject among American technology workers watching their own jobs increasingly move overseas.

Source:CNN ~ April 27, 2005

...and why should he care? He personally has more money than some of these countries GNP.
*************************************
Acedemics wants more, industry wants less?
I think they all want more...

Bush Jobs Record Claims Unwelcome Legacy
Since January 2001, the private sector has lost 1.6 million net jobs. Some 1.7 million workers have been unemployed for six months or longer.

Now that 2.7 million factory jobs have gone offshore in the past three years, employers are gearing up for the next big outsourcing wave: service jobs.

SOURCE:IBEW.org ~ October 14, 2004

...How does that ad for Gibbs go..."Your job is going here, and it's not comming back"?
*************************************
How's this for your "world" economy, and all standards of living are going to migrate to the mean. :

According to the most recent Census Bureau statistics, nearly 36 million Americans lived in poverty in 2003, an increase of 1.3 million from 2002. And since 2000, 4.4 million more people in this country are living in poverty. The Census Bureau defines poverty as an individual earning $9,393 or less and $14,680 or less for a family of three

SOURCE:Money.CNN.com ~ December 30, 2004

...unfortunatly, the "mean" we are used is NOT the same "mean" in many of these countries where the jobs are going to. These 4.4 million here might already be living the "mean" of say India.
*************************************
...at least you can't put an outlet in from a distance (overseas)....yet.

 

[elektrafried]

Re: Question for Engineers

I thank you all for the information.

 

[lady sparks lover]

Re: Question for Engineers

Can I interject...

I have a BAE degree, it's a 5 year architectural engineering degree, which entails knowledge of Lighting design and power distribution for buildings. It was the best degree I could have gotten. I was taught what a feeder, how to wiring a building, and what the NEC is before i even left college. I also was taught how to light an entire building, from task to spot lighting. PSU offers this program, and that's where I went, because it's number one in the country.

I'm very happy to be in this field, and being the only chick in the field in my area is just great. I feel special. However, what's even more rewarding is being able to due what I love!!