I walked into the staff coffee bar at ANS at Finningley and asked generally - any quantity surveyors here? I got one yes.
Later I wanted a very long masonry drill bit. Once again someone had one.
It was like the motley selection in a prisoner of war camp. Someone was good at something and you could get expert advice on practically anything under the Sun.
All DEs or all grads would just not have given that eclectic mix.
DEs are certainly seen as better prospects as aircrew and given equal apptitude scores - 17 yr old cf 22 yrs old - the 17 yr old will win hands down 5 years later.