Don't know if others have come across this attitude but I have just been talking to someone who asked me what I did for a living and was promptly told that it cannot b very satisfying 'Just sticking some wires and resistors together' I did try to explain to them that there is a little bit more to it than that but was left with the distinct impression that I was being looked down upon because I didnt do anything 'creative'
I dunno about you lot but i happen to think that what I do is far more creative and even artistic than messing about with a video camera.
Perhaps its because there is so little understanding of engineering in general,especialy in the states I find where the greatest aspiration seems to be a doctor or lawer.
I didnt tell him that he was an ingorant tit,perhaps I should have done:-)