> Given the tremendous value of an engineering degree, especially as a guaranteed high level of income, it makes sense practically minded managers would prefer such a safety net.
Practical experience (of a practicing engineer) shows that the value of an engineering degree outweighs that of one's work only in the first couple of months, or even weeks, on a job. The skills of incompetent engineers are in significantly less demand than that of incompetent managers (sadly). Unlike an MBA, the engineering diploma isn't worth the paper it's written on the moment people realize you're clueless. It's not a very good safety net :-).
Practical experience (of a practicing engineer) shows that the value of an engineering degree outweighs that of one's work only in the first couple of months, or even weeks, on a job. The skills of incompetent engineers are in significantly less demand than that of incompetent managers (sadly). Unlike an MBA, the engineering diploma isn't worth the paper it's written on the moment people realize you're clueless. It's not a very good safety net :-).