[chiefalchemist]

Aside from solid pay, you also got to work with some very smart people, of diverse nationalities. My father worked for Western Electric (at the location outside of Princeton, NJ). WE's role was to take the BLs' R&D and make it market-worthy. While he didn't have an advanced degree, many of peers did, and his bosses PhDs. His co-workers were Asian, SE Asian, and Mexican. This was long before diversity was all the rage.

When I was a kid - early 70s give or take - they'd have an annual open house for the families. I still remember being introduced to computers. I remember seeing fiber and hearing "this is the future" when all there was was copper twisted pair.

It didn't realize it then but I was a lucky SOB :)