I think part of the problem is: 1) the IT field keeps diversifying at a rapid rate. Thus the schools try to teach too broad of a topic set. Thus making gener

I think part of the problem is: 1) the IT field keeps diversifying at a rapid rate. Thus the schools try to teach too broad of a topic set. Thus making generalist in what appears to be specific field. Oh so you are Robotics? Is that robotics, controls, building designing, human interface, power management, AI, blah blah. To be a well rounded robotics engineer would probably take a solid 12 classes. To be good at a specific topic, would be another 12 courses per topic. 2) tight job market makes it hard to acquire talent. Your boss does not want to match YOUR salary on a new engineer as that would anger you. Thus they aim lower ... 3) the really talented new engineers are possibly not interested in your field. As such the ones who have a passion are going somewhere else. 4) the explosion of money has a LOT of people who are more passionate about paycheck then tech. Which is not wrong, but does not provide the level of knowledge you seek. I can only assume you are passionate about tech, and thus spend spare time studying. You also delve into topics. I have found MOST techies are not so passionate. Most learn a specific topic and that is it. Tech is not their hobby as well as their job.