I have an engineering degree and specialise in semiconductor design. Pretty much as advanced as electronics gets. I would have earned way more as a banker and 30% of my fellow graduates went straight into the city.

If society continues to value moving money around more than it values creating better things then the cream will tend to head in that direction.

Happiness is what you make of it.

I started in the not-for-profit world, moved to marketing, got an MBA, became an investment banker, lost my job, got another one, and then quit and started my own company. While not a hedge fund, I do indeed manage money out of an office I set up in my home. I do a damn good job of it too. I also hope to not go straight to you-know-where, but I'm relying on my volunteer EMS work as insurance in that regard .

The thing is, in each of these jobs/careers, I was very happy. Until I wasn't, and then I moved on. The problem is, with each new degree attained, you have that much more invested, and likely that much more debt, and fewer earning years ahead of you. Before I started my own firm (which was less than three months ago, in the midst of this "great recession") I was sorely tempted to completely change my career path. But I realized that I could do the best for my family by continuing to do what I do well, but doing it in a way that maintains my quality of life.

That said, when I give advice to my sons, it will be the following: When you graduate high school, learn a trade. Become a plumber or an electrician. Once you've done that, and seen how the world works, go and get a liberal arts degree, maybe even part time while you continue to work. The degree will have more meaning. Then, go and be the smartest plumber in town, run the best plumbing business in town, have lots of other plumbers working for you, and spend lots of time with your family.