Certainly the economy plays an intrinsic role in affecting hiring patterns across the country, but in technical fields such as engineering, the technologies themselves also drive employment. In the case of manufacturing engineering, today's graduates have a number of technologies at their fingertips that make them more employable than many of their predecessors. It's in computers, computer-numerical controls, machinery, robotics. Semiconductors are getting less expensive and more powerful each year. The University of Pittsburgh's Billow contends that information technology is providing the big boost in opportunities for manufacturing engineers.
Information technology represents the future of the profession.
We truly believe that at this university. While Boston University grads are meeting recruiters from across the country, Billow reports that University of Pittsburgh students largely get recruited by businesses a bit closer to home. At the same time, Pittsburgh grads are in no way lacking for opportunities. The organization's role is to help businesses get started. Our role is to give assistance in terms of technologies.