Careers in the auto industry, I got questions Options

[hioctane]

I'm currently taking business classes because I want to major in business and some day have my own business. I think the classes are boring,so I'm thinking about getting into the car field, but I'm sure if I really want to. I'm a college student and I don't know where to go with my life. please help me

Is anyone here going to a car school to learn about cars?

What do you think of car schools like sequioa institute ?

What's a good career in the auto industry?

If you already have a job in the auto industry, how do you like it so far?

What's the average pay for a job in the auto field?

Do you guys do a lot of labor?

thanks in advance =)

[CelicaQT]

I can tell you right now, that the economy still isn't stable enough in the auto industry. I work as a Contract worker through Modern Engineering and work on location in GM in the design center and it's not looking too good for us "hired help" workers. We're expecting another layoff the end of this year.

What I suggest to those of you that are considering this field to get your Bachelors Degree in an Engineering Field (mechanical, electrical, etc) because that's what they're mainly looking for. Is people with degrees. With out on you're more prone to getting the screwed down the road.

I went to college right after high school (1997) and was fortunate to land in a co-op program (1999) and got hired to work in the auto industry. I aquired my Associates Degree in Vehicle Design with an intent to transfer to Central Michigan Univ. to complete the Bachelors Degree in Vehicle Design. Only to hear that as I was finished with my Assoc. they told everyone that that degree was useless and to get your Engineering degree. I'm amazed I've lasted through 4 yrs of these layoffs.

How do I like it so far? Well it's an awesome experience. I get to work on future products, from designing to updating parts. It's a fun job until they give you a 7% paycut and no increase. You bust your a** and it gets you no where in this industry. It's all politics in the "BIG 3". Until you get hired in Direct, plan on being screwed by "the man". If manage to get into a Supplier that's a different story. You are most likely going to be taken care of. With overtime, pay increases, etc.

But without experience you wont get hired. Just some advice.

Hope this makes sense....

Christee

[boosted_K2]

im going to kettering university in MI for automotive mechanical engineering. its hard but well worth it... it all depends what division and aspect you get into. engineers usually make in the range of 90K-100K a year, more or less depending on job title and what group you work for. other things like technician jobs pay around 30K-50K, while customizers are too hard to predict, some barely break even, while others make over 100K.

and yes, as christee pointed out, EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING. the majority of interviews ive gotten have been based more on experience than skills.

Im working on HOPEFULLY getting to work for autoxtasy motorsports by next fall... we'll see how it goes but that would be my dream job

[macavely]

well my dad and a couple of my uncles have their own shops.. so if your getting yours business degress keep doing that (if you want to open your own shop) is will help you out a lot you can also go to a trade school for 6 months so you can learn how to fix cars also... as mechanics what they earn depends on how good they are.. as for labor it all depends on the work some jobs are simple and the more you do it the esaier it gets...

[CelicaQT]

Believe me, i have friends that graduated from U of M, Oakland University, etc. with Engineering Degrees and without work experience they aren't even close to getting a job. They can't land one. If you have to copy blue prints, DO IT. It may not be where you want to start (ex. designing a molding for a SUV) but it's a start. And definately a foot in the door until you get educated and experienced.

My friends that graduated from Kettering Univ. are getting PAID!!! That's a top notch school. If you go there, you're most likely to get a job in no time with their co-op programs there. I admire my friend he is all set. He's got his BS and is working on his Masters and he's only 23! Direct employee through GM making about 50K+ a year!! He's having the time of his life right now with all that hard work he's accomplished.

SO props to you K2. KU is awesome!!

I think you should just stick with your buisness degree Hioctane. You've come so far, earned all those credits. I'd hate to see you get about 90+ worth of credits and end up 'wasting" all that time on that particular degree and switch into something new and start ALL over again. Because that's what's happened to me.

But if that's what you decide to do, just make sure you think about it real hard and make sure that it's the right decision for you. Just my .02 cents

This post has been edited by CelicaQT: Nov 26, 2003 - 4:39 PM

[boosted_K2]

yea thanks! my best friends cousin and his wife (just got married last month), both graduated from KU and work for nissan in their safety division. they both got transfered to Arizona where they are both currently making 95K each... its rediculus. he is 24 and she is 23.

[boosted_K2]

[hioctane]

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. Geez, I guess I'll stick to my business major even if it's boring; school will always be boring. I thought there was going to be a lot of jobs in the car industry because of the popularity of street racing and drifting and almost everyone wants to customize their car. I think that all would eventually die out when gasoline becomes scarce and when 80% of the cars on the road are electrically powered.

[boosted_K2]

[97GTinKC]

In case you haven't noticed, almost every industry is in a downward spiral...