If you’re a car lover who’s passionate about engineering, an Automotive Degree is probably right down your street. Whether you study at Chapin School in Princeton, NJ, or another elite establishment, your love of cars can accelerate to a great career.
If this is your calling, you’re faced with the difficult decision of what type of degree to study. Your options include an ASE Automotive Degree, an Automotive Technology Degree, or an Automotive Engineering Degree. There are endless possibilities, so it’s important to do your due-diligence to discover a route that perfectly suits your needs and aspirations. There are varying specialisms and levels to consider. Your choice is largely dependent on your interests.
The automotive industry employs roughly 4.2 million people in the U.S. alone. There is a demand for skilled workers, in alignment with the increasing number of cars on the roads. But what sort of jobs are available for people who study an Automotive Degree? If you’re intrigued to learn more, read on to find out.
Working in Formula 1
This is probably one of the most exciting jobs for people who study automotive degrees. Being an integral component of a race car driver’s pit crew is a great opportunity to get where the action is. If your skillset permits you performing maintenance of vehicles in a pressurized environment, you’ll be well-suited to this role. You’ll need excellent decision making skills, being able to diagnose and repair issues on the spot. If you’re intrigued about this position, specialized training in automotive technology is recommended.
A Job in The Design Process
You’ll be responsible for formulating ideas for each vehicle. This is a great opportunity to exercise your creative skills while developing and integrating new technology. It is your job to lower production costs and consider the environmental impact of your decisions, alongside ensuring vehicles pass safety regulations. You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to pursue this role, though more advanced degrees will inevitably help you progress.
Working in Parts
Working in repair shops and retail stores, you’ll recommend parts depending on the customer’s model of vehicle. Here you’ll use your extensive knowledge to make informed decisions, while diagnosing issues and suggesting how they can be remedied. If you don’t have the necessary parts to hand, you can use your contacts to locate what you need. Other responsibilities include customer billing and opening and closing your retail spot.
Mechanic
Becoming a mechanic is probably the most logical career route after studied an automotive program. You can decide how far you want to progress, but a great starting point is working in a repair shop. Though this position seems rudimentary, who knows, one day you could be owning your own shop. It’s good to set your goals lower to begin with though, perhaps aiming to become shop manager. There are different specialties to consider, where you can learn to work with different car types. If you can withstand long working periods, this could is a great position for you. Having a good grasp of mathematical skills is beneficial, but not essential.
