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What is the best major for someone wanting to work in the automotive industry?
I am an 11th grader right now. For nearly my entire life, I've had an interest in cars. It would be a dream for me to have a career in the automotive industry. However, I'm not sure what college majors would be best suited for this career path. I know that mechanical engineering, along with other fields of engineering, are a good choice, but I want to hear more options.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jason !
With a life long love for the automotive industry you have a good foundation already, so let's see what majors you could possibly choose from at a University that will prepare you for your career other than mechanical engineering.
Some other majors would be Automotive Technology, Automotive Mechanics, Business Management, Teaching/Education. A Bachelors Degree would get you into being a Quality Assurance manager in this field of work. There aren't too many others that come to mind and it will depend on what you want to specialize in or even teach at a vocational school later on. Many of the positions in the automotive industry require a GED or High School Diploma, but I strongly encourage you to select a major and attend college. It will greatly benefit you to do so. At college you will also develop professional relationships that may lead to jobs. Every career needs a bit of support that networking can provide.
Before you choose a different major, know why you do not want to do the engineering program. I understand that if you major in engineering, you will study various forms of engineering that you don't choose to focus on and you want the breadth of your studies to be around cars. I understand. Some advice that I could also give you that will support your going to college is also something I'd like to share.
There is still a lot for you to learn about cars and the various job duties around being in the industry. The field is changing and you have to keep up with the changes. I think that even if you go for a Bachelors Degree in a different but connected subject, you'd do well in the industry. The degree will carry you through. So enrolling in college will be great for you no matter how you look at it, no matter the name of the major. You can take various automotive trainings outside of college, too. So you do have substantial choices and with gathering all the information, you will make a choice that will be a good fit for your exact plans. You also live in a major city which means that your local job outlook seems reasonable.
I hope that this has helped you with support to plan for college and not worry if you're undecided upon an exact major. Do more exploring and and I wish you all the best !
With a life long love for the automotive industry you have a good foundation already, so let's see what majors you could possibly choose from at a University that will prepare you for your career other than mechanical engineering.
Some other majors would be Automotive Technology, Automotive Mechanics, Business Management, Teaching/Education. A Bachelors Degree would get you into being a Quality Assurance manager in this field of work. There aren't too many others that come to mind and it will depend on what you want to specialize in or even teach at a vocational school later on. Many of the positions in the automotive industry require a GED or High School Diploma, but I strongly encourage you to select a major and attend college. It will greatly benefit you to do so. At college you will also develop professional relationships that may lead to jobs. Every career needs a bit of support that networking can provide.
Before you choose a different major, know why you do not want to do the engineering program. I understand that if you major in engineering, you will study various forms of engineering that you don't choose to focus on and you want the breadth of your studies to be around cars. I understand. Some advice that I could also give you that will support your going to college is also something I'd like to share.
There is still a lot for you to learn about cars and the various job duties around being in the industry. The field is changing and you have to keep up with the changes. I think that even if you go for a Bachelors Degree in a different but connected subject, you'd do well in the industry. The degree will carry you through. So enrolling in college will be great for you no matter how you look at it, no matter the name of the major. You can take various automotive trainings outside of college, too. So you do have substantial choices and with gathering all the information, you will make a choice that will be a good fit for your exact plans. You also live in a major city which means that your local job outlook seems reasonable.
I hope that this has helped you with support to plan for college and not worry if you're undecided upon an exact major. Do more exploring and and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Ify’s Answer
Hello! I embarked on my professional journey in the dynamic world of the automotive industry, wearing the hat of a tooling engineer. My foundation in mechanical engineering has been a guiding light, but the automotive industry is a vibrant tapestry of various departments, ranging from engineering to marketing. It's all about finding your passion. If you find joy in being close to the product, roles in supply chain, purchasing, product design or engineering might be your calling. On the other hand, the industry is a treasure trove of opportunities in areas like sales, finance, human resources, and information technology. Here's to you finding your perfect fit and soaring high in your career journey. Wishing you nothing but the best!
Updated
Kofoworola Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Jason,
Choosing Mechanical Engineering as your major is absolutely a brilliant idea! If you're interested, you might also consider exploring Automotive Technology. Another exciting field you could delve into is Electrical and Electronics Engineering, especially if you're curious about certain facets of the industry. The roles I've highlighted are central to the automotive industry, but remember, there's a whole world of opportunities out there that would still be useful in the Automotive Industry.
I wish you the best!
Choosing Mechanical Engineering as your major is absolutely a brilliant idea! If you're interested, you might also consider exploring Automotive Technology. Another exciting field you could delve into is Electrical and Electronics Engineering, especially if you're curious about certain facets of the industry. The roles I've highlighted are central to the automotive industry, but remember, there's a whole world of opportunities out there that would still be useful in the Automotive Industry.
I wish you the best!
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi! Thanks for the great question. I have spent many years working in the automotive industry as an engineer and engineering leader. There are many career majors that support the automotive industry. A few areas that come to mind: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing and more), technicians (Electrical, Fabrication/welder, general assembly, etc.), business, material handling, supply chain, purchasing, human resources, operational safety, and marketing. I appreciate your enthusiasm for the auto industry and best wishes as you explore your future career options.