Hmmm...  I guess I didn't go to a engineering "party school".  It's a 
difficult for me to imagine engineers as "partying on daddy's money" 
while still graduating with good grades.

I too have seen great techs that would easily cross into design.  I've 
also seen some pretty gifted engineers that could also out solder a 
Chinese assembly line worker.  I've seen more than a few lazy slobs in 
both.  I think that if you are passionate about something you will find 
a way to do it.  But, if you make it difficult for yourself, don't 
expect a lot of understanding from those doing the hiring. 

That said, we've got a pretty good NDE here; but he'd be the first one 
to tell you its not the easiest way to maintain a career.  I've seen 
these people in other companies and it is very difficult for them to 
change jobs, because it would require working from the bottom up again 
(typically).  Management is aware of this so they can get dumped on as a 
result.

I think talent and passion will keep you employed regardless.  Good 
people generally find work fairly quickly.   But around here, the degree 
will open your options a good deal more if you gravitate towards R&D or 
design.

BTW, I'm still waiting for my nice paycheck to afford the huge house in 
the 'burbs. :)
>
> Any company that has hard requirements for degrees based on anything 
> other than law (say, Civil Engineering and a PE for certain roles), is 
> missing out on a LOT of GREAT technicians and people who are far more 
> capable as "Engineers" than some of their dull 
> daddy-paid-for-a-good-school counterparts who fondly remember their 
> frat-party days and couldn't care less about building or fixing things, 
> other than it brings them a nice paycheck to take home to their huge 
> mortgage, er... house in the 'burbs.
>
>
>   

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