You wrote a lot to unpack, and I won't get into everything, as that would take more time than I have today.
A couple points - a lot of engineers have the degree, but not the mindset. Some techs do have the mindset, but didn't get a degree, and most large organizations require the degree (for good reasons and poor ones as well).
Attitude matters. Doesn't matter - degree or not - people with poor attitudes are a PITA to work with - doesn't matter how smart they are.
Engineers are generally underpaid by a lot and few companies recognize a technical career path. This is also true of the best techs. The easiest / fastest way to advance in a career is to manage others. I have a daughter who could have become an engineer - she has all the tools and talent, but decided it was more trouble than it was worth. I can't blame her for feeling that way.
Concur in all aspects. I saw your post and needed to vent. I was frustrated (still am somewhat) with the fact that we couldn't deliver to the warfighter what they needed in a timely manner. Cost over runs, missed target deadlines, etc.all because of inexperienced personnel in key positions. Not their fault, especially when pushed by their superiors to fill the vacated slots. Our young engineers were brought in at the higher payscales for their experience levels and within a short timeline were given managerial positions which was crushing their abilities. The maddening part was the talent pool of the SMEs (military) who knew exactly what was needed and couldn't advance because the position required an engineering degree. That was where I worked and the senior/executive management mindset. Have a great day fren!!
Sorry to hear your frustrations - in some ways I can relate, but nothing compares to putting our young men and women in harms way because of egos and incompetence. I think that is criminal, but except for a few cases, very hard to prove and punish appropriately. Although, the best punishment would be to put those people on an active front line unequipped and let them try to deal with it - without putting any regulars in harms way because of their inability to manage a bad situation.
You wrote a lot to unpack, and I won't get into everything, as that would take more time than I have today.
A couple points - a lot of engineers have the degree, but not the mindset. Some techs do have the mindset, but didn't get a degree, and most large organizations require the degree (for good reasons and poor ones as well).
Attitude matters. Doesn't matter - degree or not - people with poor attitudes are a PITA to work with - doesn't matter how smart they are.
Engineers are generally underpaid by a lot and few companies recognize a technical career path. This is also true of the best techs. The easiest / fastest way to advance in a career is to manage others. I have a daughter who could have become an engineer - she has all the tools and talent, but decided it was more trouble than it was worth. I can't blame her for feeling that way.
Concur in all aspects. I saw your post and needed to vent. I was frustrated (still am somewhat) with the fact that we couldn't deliver to the warfighter what they needed in a timely manner. Cost over runs, missed target deadlines, etc.all because of inexperienced personnel in key positions. Not their fault, especially when pushed by their superiors to fill the vacated slots. Our young engineers were brought in at the higher payscales for their experience levels and within a short timeline were given managerial positions which was crushing their abilities. The maddening part was the talent pool of the SMEs (military) who knew exactly what was needed and couldn't advance because the position required an engineering degree. That was where I worked and the senior/executive management mindset. Have a great day fren!!
Sorry to hear your frustrations - in some ways I can relate, but nothing compares to putting our young men and women in harms way because of egos and incompetence. I think that is criminal, but except for a few cases, very hard to prove and punish appropriately. Although, the best punishment would be to put those people on an active front line unequipped and let them try to deal with it - without putting any regulars in harms way because of their inability to manage a bad situation.