Clearly selection plays an enormous part here. The average engineering graduate is average, obviously. He did what was expected of him and he had enough drive and curiosity to carry himself through university.
To self teach an entire field takes enormous drive and curiosity. It takes struggling against adversity and ingenuity.
The idea that the latter path is generally superior is delusional. In all likelihood it involved far more effort, frustration and time. Comparing a self taught engineer and a graduate of the same skill level it will be clear that the graduate had a much easier time. He had the opportunity to build upon a solid theoretical foundation, when being forced to engage with practical problems, which every engineering program does.
Engineering is also a profession, not a competition. Average engineers aren't a problem, they are absolutely necessary and represent success,not failure.
To self teach an entire field takes enormous drive and curiosity. It takes struggling against adversity and ingenuity.
The idea that the latter path is generally superior is delusional. In all likelihood it involved far more effort, frustration and time. Comparing a self taught engineer and a graduate of the same skill level it will be clear that the graduate had a much easier time. He had the opportunity to build upon a solid theoretical foundation, when being forced to engage with practical problems, which every engineering program does.
Engineering is also a profession, not a competition. Average engineers aren't a problem, they are absolutely necessary and represent success,not failure.