Shortage of Engineers

After reading your article (June 5) I continue to believe that the shortage of qualified engineers and scientists is an impediment to maintaining our long-term national competitiveness in the global aviation marketplace. It is not the present abundance of unqualified people, but the long-term shortage of qualified people that requires rectification.

On May 14, the Aerospace Engineering Department at San Diego State University was dissolved. The university president made this decision in reaction to California State University’s short-term budgetary problems. This department produced 50-70 qualified engineers each year to meet the long-term needs of industry; nonetheless, it is still being closed. Such actions send conflicting messages to industry and young engineers.

The continual pursuit of technology keeps America competitive in the international marketplace. The 400 aerospace engineering students at San Diego State are driven to endure a lifetime commitment toward maintaining this edge. The future of America’s aerospace industry is highly dependent upon this type of prospective work force. The opportunity to earn a technical degree should be preserved instead of being abolished.

SHERILYN LEE, San Diego State University