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If I wanted to get a job in automotive research in development, is it worth it to major in both electrical and mechanical engineering?

I am thinking about getting at least a masters in both electrical and mechanical engineering but I am wondering if it is even worth it or if I should just get a masters/PhD in mechanical engineering.
#electrical-engineering #mechanical-engineering #automotive-engineering #research-and-development #masters-degree #science-phd #

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Todd’s Answer

Jayden,

It sounds like your goal is to become an Automotive Engineer. There are very few colleges / universities that offer exactly that - a degree in Automotive Engineering. University of Michigan is one that I know of. Automotive Engineering is an interesting branch or subset of Vehicle Engineering that requires a combination of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software engineering skills. Since so few universities actually offer a degree program in Automotive Engineering, most of the practicing professionals were mechanical engineering majors who then took other electives to add in the needed skill set such as courses in diesel engine theory, programming, and electronics.

If you have already settled upon a university and it doesn't straight up offer Automotive Engineering as a degree, then I would suggest following the path of a master's in mechanical engineering while adding in what you need for the electrical/electronic side via electives. Perhaps your best source of information about this career path will be found thru SAE (http://www.sae.org/) or the Society of Automotive Engineers.

SAE has student membership (http://www.sae.org/membership/stubene.htm) which might expose you to events where you can network directly with professionals already working in that field. I counted (42) SAE sections in (31) states on the SAE website. Joining such as professional organization as a student can get you great networking contacts that can prove to be invaluable. Volunteering within a student chapter of a professional organization can also help you develop the necessary soft skills that you don't learn in engineering school.
Thank you comment icon So, it wouldn't be a good idea for me to get both electrical and mechanical engineering majors? Jayden
Thank you comment icon Jayden, it would take more time than you think to double major with ME and EE. University advisers advise majority of the engineering students take 5 years to complete their ME or EE degree. Of course, there are exceptions that complete their engineering degree in 4 years, but most students take a semester or two more. Consider searching for a school with a "4+1" program. This program allows students to earn their undergrad AND masters degree in 5 years. At least at my current university, this is a very competitive program. Just keep that in mind! Good luck and Godspeed. Austin T. Jones
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TLAURENTONI’s Answer

In case you're recently out of undergrad school, you should mull over acquiring a graduate degree forthright. It won't really help you particularly from the get-go in your profession, in light of the fact that most organizations employ ongoing school graduates for junior-level situations inside a specific compensation extend. There are now and again special cases to this standard, however, so you can get around this by discovering organizations who deliberately look for applicants with cutting edge degrees and have the spending saved for that.

TLAURENTONI recommends the following next steps:

Another option in contrast to this is to acquire a section level situation with an organization that offers educational cost repayment after you get your four year certification, and have them pay for your serious degree. That way, you defeat the two universes: hands on understanding and a serious degree paid for by your manager.
Your responsibility to seek after and complete a serious degree says a lot about you to current and possible managers. Regardless of whether you're keen on climbing vertically inside your present association or joining another organization in a more senior job, a serious degree will by and large work in support of yourself. It could be the central factor among you and another competitor, since it exhibits your capacity to shuffle different errands (particularly in the event that you were working all day while getting your degree) and oversee an objective or task to finishing.
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