Steve;

>
>My dad is an EE...I thought he always has called himself an Electrical Engineer. He has primarly done power supply design (a lot of stuff for defense industry over the years). He's currently looking for work, though :(

The electronics manufacturing industry did not provide many opportunities during the recession that began here in 1990, coupled with the attitude in Silicon Valley to avoid hiring employees over 40, prompted be to become a programmer. At the time there were 60,000 unemployed electronics engineers in Silicon Valley.

So far I have been able to pay the bills and our son and daughter are in college. Many times I wish I had gone into teaching as I cannot recommend “electrical engineering or programming” as professions. There is a lot to say for doing something you enjoy and being able to contribute to others.

I wish the best to your father – being out of work is a stressful time of your life.

Tom