A Career In The Automotive Industrie.

[TwoCents]

Automotive industry may be crap, but no one's brought up motorsport? I'm studying automotive engineering at Uni, 2nd year, and love it. I've got a part time job at the movies that pays sorta well, and another job on the side working for the WASCC (wa sporting car club), who over sees/organizes all the events at barbagallo raceway, pretty much (aside from CAMS) it's the governing body of motorsport in WA...

I love it, never gets boring at all, yes the jobs are few and far between, but if you can stumble into one, I think it's a great industry... Pay isn't too bad, not too many dickheads (circuit racing is the thinking man's motorsport so there aren't many bogan losers running around), has travel opportunities, exciting industry to be working in, has potential in the next 5-10years etc...

No complaints here...

Just a few cents worth from me

What job are you looking to get after the course? Im currently doing an Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, and after it probably looking to jump into uni and do the Automotive Engineering course, want to eventually work with an international race team.

[StealthX]

Yeah dude, most things in motorsports to be honest...

You could take an admin role for CAMS or ANDRA or something,

Something mechanical/design related for a performance workshop,

Circuit Race teams (international?),

Work for dealerships/actual car companies,

Work for aftermarket parts manufacturer, involved in development/testing.

etc...

I don't know about your course, but mine is pretty much comprehensive. I do units ranging from calculus and materials and manufacturing to sport marketing, and motorsports etiquette etc...

I'll have auto CAD experience, welding and manufacturing experience, mechanical experience, design, testing, engineering and even advertising experience when I'm done...

Jobs aren't exactly available by the dozen, but if you stay with one place for a while, (work experience or small part time job), pretty soon you'll find yourself with a higher end job soon. Auto engineers are in need, but require skill and experience so hard to get....

But yeah, I haven't quite made up my mind yet...

[TwoCents]

Yeah dude, most things in motorsports to be honest...

You could take an admin role for CAMS or ANDRA or something,

Something mechanical/design related for a performance workshop,

Circuit Race teams (international?),

Work for dealerships/actual car companies,

Work for aftermarket parts manufacturer, involved in development/testing.

etc...

I don't know about your course, but mine is pretty much comprehensive. I do units ranging from calculus and materials and manufacturing to sport marketing, and motorsports etiquette etc...

I'll have auto CAD experience, welding and manufacturing experience, mechanical experience, design, testing, engineering and even advertising experience when I'm done...

Jobs aren't exactly available by the dozen, but if you stay with one place for a while, (work experience or small part time job), pretty soon you'll find yourself with a higher end job soon. Auto engineers are in need, but require skill and experience so hard to get....

But yeah, I haven't quite made up my mind yet...

Yea i will be going to QUT the course focuses on this in the last year, it more focused on Motorsport imo http://www.motorsport.bee.qut.edu.au/

I plan to get my car out to the track to get some experience in the field and get to know some local motorsport teams, do some networking

[natett]

why not go to uni and complete a degree in mechanical engineering? this type of degree will enable you to chase your possible dream but also provide firm grounding for other possible careers avenues.

My first job was retail. i then moved into hospitality where i managed a few football clubs, night clubs etc, then i wanted to go into advertising. 2 units later i was back behind bars loving the high after hours cash pay. i was then offered a small role in the company I now work for. We're a small comercial construction company where i work as senior estimator, business delepoment manager and project manager for commercial construction projects up to 10 million.

As you can see things change. Keep your mind open and try get involved with as much as possible. But remember practical skills are fantastic however when it comes down to applications you must provide written evidence like a degree. This is why Im back at uni completeing my degree now 6 years out of school. I have the referees, experience etc but now the piece paper is vital to continuing to climb the ranks of larger organisations.

[alex182]

thanks for all your feedback guys. I was taking a serious look at automotive engineering but im kinda brain dead at maths and wasn't holding up in maths methods .Im still mostly undecided but some of you have helped a lot especially with your own personal experiences. Again thanks so much, i really appreciate it.

Edited August 19, 2010 by alex182