[weberr]

I love this thread!

I feel the hard issue is going to be this. Salary.

I came to education in 2005 from industry where I was a cutting tool designer/manufacturer for over 15 years. When the auto industry tanked here in Michigan, jobs were scarce and I was lucky to find one in Education; actually it found me.

I had to go back to school for 83 credit hours and take a huge pay cut to be in education. I mean a pay cut of over half of that in industry, plus pay for 83 credit hours to get my certification.

Ten years later, I am happy where I am at. I am 48, and enjoy my summers off. I pick up side work to cover the still lower than industry salary. No problems. But if I was a much younger lad and entering in to education, I would have to think very hard as I could get a much better compensation if I went to industry instead.

In plain terms, then shortage is this. Good, qualified, knowledgeable people can earn much more in industry than over education. Unless you are willing to take the sacrifice, industry is the better choice if you are raising a family.