2 answers
sam
Student
Las Vegas, Nevada
1
Question
Asked
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Structural Engineering and Automotive industry
Hello , I'm in my first year studying civil and structural engineering and I'm interested in automotive industry so I want to know if the structural engineers is needed in this field and if so , what are the essentials I need to have ? #Structural-engineering #Cars #automotive
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2 answers
Samuel Scozzari, PE
Construction Management and Director in NYC
10
Answers
Suffield, Connecticut
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
Structural Engineers are needed for construction of the buildings, so it would be a cross between classic building (structural) engineering with knowledge of Industrial Engineering (i.e., automation, assembly lines, etc.). I believe that once you have a structural engineering degree this would be a niche of yours, just as some structural engineers have niche for suspension bridges, skyscrapers, movable bridges, rail stations, etc.
If you are looking at what engineering it takes to design the actual chassis or frame of the vehicle, that is another discipline altogether. True that it will involve many of the basic principals of statics and dynamics that are the basis of structural engineering, but how it is applied to a car, truck, train, etc., is its own discipline. I would recommend looking up some people in that industry and seeing where they received their education, either by contacting them directly, or looking them up on LinkedIn - then getting the curriculum outlines of those schools. I imagine that this field resembles aerospace tech and involves many of the same principles associated with unique materials, welding, fastening, coatings, and aerodynamics.
Look up key automotive engineers on-line
Research how to contact them or look up their education
Reach out to their alma maters and learn about the curriculums at those schools.
Talk to someone at those schools/colleges/universities.
Follow your passion!!
If you are looking at what engineering it takes to design the actual chassis or frame of the vehicle, that is another discipline altogether. True that it will involve many of the basic principals of statics and dynamics that are the basis of structural engineering, but how it is applied to a car, truck, train, etc., is its own discipline. I would recommend looking up some people in that industry and seeing where they received their education, either by contacting them directly, or looking them up on LinkedIn - then getting the curriculum outlines of those schools. I imagine that this field resembles aerospace tech and involves many of the same principles associated with unique materials, welding, fastening, coatings, and aerodynamics.
Samuel recommends the following next steps:
Kate Fay
Manager Business Operations, Verizon
21
Answers
New Jersey, New Jersey
Updated
Kate’s Answer
Hi! If you are really interested in the automotive industry and only in your 1st year, I would look into switching to mechanical engineering. It should be pretty easy to do the 1st year since the classes up to that point are pretty similar. It gets much harder after the 1st year since the classes start to change.
Before making the switch, think about why you picked structural engineering to begin with! Also, do some more research about the auto industry and the career options. You can also reach out to an advisor or professor at your college for more advice
Before making the switch, think about why you picked structural engineering to begin with! Also, do some more research about the auto industry and the career options. You can also reach out to an advisor or professor at your college for more advice