RAB Proposal Paragraph — Balthazar

My research question is: Why is there a shortage of engineers in the United States? This topic interests me because I am attending school at City Tech for Computer Engineering. I see firsthand how intimidating and challenging the major is and can be. Personally, I can see why more people are not seeking a degree in engineering. It also is not a career that is particularly glorified in our society. I already know that that many engineering students across the country drop out or switch majors. As well I am aware that an engineering degree can take quite a long time to get, around 4-5 years. Some points I want to explore and find out more about are. Why students are not choosing engineering as a career. I want to explore the reason for the engineer shortage, what is being done to fix the shortage? I also want to explore how does this impact the United States negatively. I’m curious to see if there are less engineering students, or if they just don’t go into engineering related jobs after graduation.  

MLA Citations for 2 Sources that I found

News, David Kawai/Bloomberg. “Defense Companies Hurt by Staffing Shortages amid Growing Weapons Demand.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 1 Aug. 2022, https://www.wsj.com/articles/defense-companies-hurt-by-staffing-shortages-amid-growing-weapons-demand-11659193446.

Whalen, Jeanne. “Economic Future of U.S. Depends on Making Engineering Cool.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Oct. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/10/23/engineer-shortage-us-chips/.

*NEW PROPOSAL*

My research question is: Espionage, Balloons, TikTok and Spy’s: What is the extent of the Chinese governments spying campaign within the U.S? This topic interests me because I have been seeing many events on the news that have to do with China and U.S relations. I see firsthand the plethora of young adults and adults using TikTok. On the news I see Chinese balloons being shot down and even spy’s being caught inside U.S companies along with various acts of espionage inside the U.S. I want to explore what is really going on. Are we amid a grey war? Is China’s reach that far? Are universities catching on to potential spies? How does the hunt for spy’s effect honest Chinese students and professors? Where does TikTok fall into the spying agenda? I already know that: Spy’s have been caught inside of U.S companies like GE, a Chinese ‘weather balloon’ was shot down, TikTok has been banned on government employees’ phones, tensions in Taiwan are escalating as Taiwan fears an invasion from China. I want to explore: What is really going on, how long has this been happening? Should average American citizens be worried? What is the extent of the Chinese governments spy campaign. Are we witnessing the second Cold War, and will this lead to a Hot war? How are grey wars fought and how are they won? 

Babbage, Ross. “A War with China Would Be Unlike Anything Americans Faced Before.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/opinion/a-war-with-china-would-reach-deep-into-american-society.html.

Leonhardt, David. “A Real-Life Spy Story.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/briefing/china-spying.html.