More often than not my experience has been just the opposite. The ones who embrace lifelong learning are the ones who weren't jaded by laboring 4 years over subjects that did little more than made them "well rounded" only to come out with a piece of paper, no experience, and no job prospects. On the other hand, those who go out of their way to learn things on their own have already demonstrated that they are resourceful self-starters. They obviously don't need a curriculum handed to them on a platter to learn, and in some cases they have a several year head start acquiring business experience. Given the choice between a new graduate and someone who's been learning in the field for years who can list on his/her resume their relevant accomplishments, I'll pick the latter. Hence the term "or equivalent experience" seen in most job postings.

I agree, though if MS were smart they could look in their own backyard and subvert the subversion. I think OneNote would be one of the best Wave clients out there.

they want to encourage young engineers in fields related to defense work.

That's a noble enough goal, but it's not the end purpose of these companies and agencies. My problem is that I have ethical issues with developing technology who's first production purpose may be to more effecively kill people. It's the old ends justifying the means debate. We throw all our public funding into defense, so we're effectively forced to take defense money to create inventions that are really for the public good. If the invention is for the public good, then send the same money into the NSF or in support of private sector companies.