Why 75% of Engineers Will NEVER Work As Engineers!!

Transcript

75 of engineering graduates end up ditching engineering right after graduation what's up everyone it's oliver today i'm going to be talking about why so many engineering graduates don't end up working in engineering if you've ever been on the dark web of engineering you've probably seen a statistic just like this one many times before but why is it... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏑 There is a disconnect between job seekers and employers in the engineering field, with employers struggling to fill job openings while graduates struggle to find employment.
• 💦 Underemployment is a significant issue, with 20-30% of engineers working in jobs that do not require their degree.
• 💦 The oversupply of engineering degrees contributes to the high number of engineering graduates not working in their field.
• 🥺 Many students pursue engineering for the wrong reasons, such as salary or societal pressure, leading to dissatisfaction and potential dropout.
• 😘 Despite the challenges, engineering degrees still hold value and have lower underemployment rates compared to other bachelor's degrees.
• 👨‍🏫 The imbalance between the number of engineering graduates and job availability highlights the need for a reevaluation of career options and a shift towards trade schools and alternative careers.
• 🧑‍🎓 Universities should provide engineering students with the skills that employers demand to improve job prospects.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do 75% of engineering graduates never work as engineers?

The speaker attributes the gap to several combined factors: a disconnect between how graduates seek jobs and how employers hire, universities not teaching the skills employers want, employers not training new graduates, insufficient job creation, and too many engineering degrees. He believes the oversupply of engineering degrees is likely the biggest contributor.

Q: What percentage of engineering graduates work in engineering?

The transcript says 25% of engineering graduates are employed in engineering, meaning 75% are not. It also describes another 50% as holding decent jobs outside engineering.

Q: Are engineering graduates unemployed or underemployed?

The cited figures in the transcript put engineering unemployment at 2–4%, suggesting most graduates find some kind of work. However, 20–30% of engineers are described as underemployed.

Q: What does underemployment mean for engineering graduates?

Underemployment means working in a job that does not require a bachelor’s degree. The speaker says this affects 20–30% of engineers and about 40% of people with bachelor’s degrees across the United States and Canada.

Q: Why is there a disconnect between engineering graduates and employers?

Students commonly report that they cannot find jobs in their field, while employers say they struggle to fill openings. The speaker concludes that graduates’ job-search methods and employers’ hiring practices are not connecting effectively, although he says this discrepancy alone cannot explain the 75% gap.

Q: What did fourth-year engineering students expect after graduation?

An Ontario Society of Professional Engineers survey found that 92% of fourth-year engineering respondents expected they would probably or definitely work in engineering. The transcript contrasts that expectation with its claim that only 25% ultimately work in the field.

Q: How much does an engineering degree cost in Canada according to the transcript?

The speaker says an engineering degree in Canada costs about $100,000. He questions that investment when graduates are described as having only a 25% chance of working in engineering and a 20–30% likelihood of being underemployed.

Q: What alternatives does the speaker suggest for someone unsure about engineering?

For someone who is only borderline interested in engineering, the speaker suggests considering trade school and taking a few university courses that genuinely interest them. He says this route may avoid debt and could provide a better chance of working in the chosen field.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• 75% of engineering graduates do not work in engineering after graduation, with only 25% finding employment in their field.

• Underemployment is a significant issue, with 20-30% of engineers working in jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree.

• The oversupply of engineering degrees and mismatch between job availability and graduates contribute to the high number of engineering graduates not working in their field.