| I couldn’t help but notice that there is a run | | | | Logistics. |
| on Engineering and Accounting jobs in the market | | | | In this time of innovation in this country where |
| right now. I decided to do a little research to see | | | | technological advancements occur so rapidly the |
| if I was imagining this and here is what I came up | | | | need for quality engineers is apparent. |
| with: | | | | Competitive advantages are won or lost on the |
| After speaking with employers and examining job | | | | ability to drive innovation. |
| descriptions It didn’t take long to realize that | | | | Another important factor to consider is the pool |
| the mad rush to fill accounting positions can be | | | | of candidates available for high level engineering |
| traced back to the high profile accounting scandals | | | | jobs in this country. According to the National |
| at companies such as Enron, WorldCom, and | | | | Science Board, International students account for |
| Tyco. In response to these scandals Congress | | | | nearly half the US doctorates awarded in |
| enacted the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, also | | | | engineering and computer science. In addition, |
| known as the Public Company Accounting Reform | | | | more than 35% of US engineering and computer |
| and Investor Protection Act of 2002. | | | | science university faculty are foreign-born. |
| Sarbanes Oxley established 11 new stringent | | | | According to the Journal of Engineering Education |
| standards for company boards, management, as | | | | many nations are seeking to reap the benefits of |
| well as public accounting firms. Rulings on | | | | advanced education, including strong positive |
| requirements of Sarbanes Oxley come from the | | | | effects on GDP growth. They are not only trying |
| Securities and Exchange Commission. | | | | to attract international students to their countries |
| As a result of this legislation as well as an overall | | | | they are trying to lure top talent as well. Those |
| climate of corporate regulation companies are | | | | countries like China and India that used to feed |
| placing a premium on finding quality accounting | | | | American schools with engineering students are |
| candidates, specifically those candidates that have | | | | now making a concerted effort to keep those |
| experience with Sarbanes Oxley compliance. | | | | students home or to return home after getting |
| The generous supply of Engineering jobs on the | | | | their education. This new competition may be a |
| market can be traced back to several different | | | | factor on the pool of quality candidates for |
| factors. According to The Engineer of 2020: by | | | | engineering jobs in this country. |
| the National Academy of Engineering the | | | | One thing is for sure, if I were advising a young |
| engineering field is and will continue to be driven | | | | person today I would say get that accounting |
| by breakthrough technologies specifically | | | | degree or that engineering degree and better yet |
| Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Materials Science | | | | get an advanced degree. You will be in high |
| and Photonics, Information and Communications | | | | demand. |
| Technology, Information Management, and | | | | |