I want to be a Chief Executive Officer

Great goal! Engineering is an excellent path to the top. The July 24, 2001 issue of USA Today reported that 18% of the CEO's for the Fortune 500 companies got their bachelors degree in engineering. This is the highest percentage of any degree. This number beat out business administration at 15%, liberal arts at 15%, and economics at 7%. Degrees with lesser percentages were not reported.

A check of the US Department of Education website revealed that in 1997-1998 only 6% of undergraduate degrees were awarded in engineering and engineering related technologies. In contrast, 20% of the degrees were awarded in business administration and 35% in liberal arts. These statistics clearly show that engineers hold a disproportionately higher share of the CEO positions in this country's largest companies. Accordingly, engineers have the best chance to become a CEO in a Fortune 500 company.

For additional information on Engineering contact:
John McDonough, Associate Dean
College of Engineering
101 Barrows Hall
Orono, Maine 04469
207-581- 2217