How the fate of the middle class and the brain trust are linked
In an earlier post I mentioned issues impacting the middle class specifically. Although this would appear to have little to do with the American brain trust and its loss. But the demise of the middle class is inextricably linked to the demise of the middle class. After all, scientists and engineers have never been in the forefront of high wage earners.
Yes, there are people for whom money isn’t everything. I know that sound virutally amazing in these times where the bottom line seems to rule all - but its true. People have entered these fields knowing that for the most part, they would be employees earning an upper middle class salary after many years of paying dues in the form of higher education and climbing the ladder. This was the trade-off for having a career that was very fulfilling and satisfying.
So when America started betraying the middle class - it betrayed the core population of scientists and engineers that lived their lives in an ivory tower by day - where they worked - and emerged as normal middle class working people by night.
What we are seeing is not a diminished interest in science, math and engineering, but we are seeing a decay of viable careers at all levels. As this decay continues, college bound students and new college grads all rush for the few fields left that are lucrative enough to promote a moderate degree of financial security.
Take Law School for example: for years it was a golden ticket to almost instant guaranteed wealth. When I was an undergrad - the trend away from medicine and science was judy beginning. Many students started turning their sights towards law school or top of the line MBA programs. They started turning their backs on medical school let alone a Ph.D. The issue was not interest but in a world of tattered safety nets financial SECURITY becomes an ever more elusive goal.
Now the bloom is off the rose even for law school. A recent article in the New York Times points out that the “golden ticket” to the good life is no more. Yet another viable career opportunity bites the dust.
But what creates this rush towards jobs that offer security over satisfaction? Elizabeth Warren outlines why the middle class is in trouble and just how serious the situation is for the vast majority of Americans. The video is LONG - but for those with the patience to stick it out - I think (unintentionally) it sheds a great deal of light on why Americans are shunning careers that don’t earn them the big bucks.
