There is a shortage of engineers and a greater lack of engineers with hands on experience. We discuss it at my job often.
During the bad time in the late 1970's, the stagflation years, I was a mechanic and service manager at a motorcycle shop. The economy was tanking and I figured, what the heck, its time to go to college. Too many years later I graduated with an engineering degree and went to work again. Its been a steady job, not all that well paying, but it has benefits and I could stay in one location, raise a family, and do a bit of racing. Engineering, like anything else, is a lot of hard work, but it is indoors most of the time, out of the rain and cold. No complaints.
Hot rodders, in general, have the natural ability to be decent engineers. Racing is applied engineering. Younger folks, consider doing it if you get the opportunity.