How to Make a Career in Automotive Engineering

According to the US Labor Department, the occupation of automotive engineering is categorized as a sub-specialty of mechanical engineering. If you have a keen interest in working with automobiles, you can consider becoming an automotive engineer. Automotive engineers are responsible for the design and manufacturing of a wide range of automobiles. The challenging part of the job is to develop improved designs for engines, transmission systems and suspension systems. Regardless of the current economic situation, there remains a strong demand for automotive engineers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for automotive engineering jobs will grow as fast as the average of all other occupations through to the year 2014. Educational Qualification Candidates aspiring to become an automotive engineer should possess a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical or automotive engineering. There are several technical schools and engineering colleges that offer automotive engineering degree programs. Before getting enrolled in the degree program, you need to do some background check. Are the professors well qualified? Do the college professors have industry connections? In addition, you need to go through the entire details of the coursework and check the necessary accreditations before getting enrolled in college. It is also a good idea to get in touch with students who recently graduated from school. They’ll be able to provide you in-depth information about courses, classes, professors etc. If you plan to get enrolled in an engineering college of your choice, you should possess a high GPA, one of the key criteria for the admission process. A solid academic background in subjects like statistics, calculus, physics, chemistry and mathematics will enhance your chances your chances of getting admitted to a college of your choice. Global Employment Opportunities There is no scarcity of job opportunities for qualified and trained automotive engineers. Employment opportunities are not only available in your own country, but you can also expect to land top paying jobs globally. Countries like United Kingdom, United States and Malaysia have a great demand for well trained automotive engineers. Most of the jobs in the US are concentrated in the Midwest. Major and popular employers for automotive engineers in the US include General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler. Job Skills Apart from completing an automotive engineering degree program, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to achieve career success. Strong troubleshooting skills and excellent communicative skills are most important job skills required to do the job. In addition, you need to be a strong team player to be able to work well within a team. Annual Salary The starting salary for entry level automotive engineering job positions is $48,000. You can earn a higher salary as you continue to grow your working experience and skill sets. Salaries will vary depending on the geographical location and the years of working experience. Extra Tip for Aspiring Candidates If you want to become an automotive engineer and achieve success, you need to prepare for this career as early as possible. Completing an internship program will ensure you have the real world experience that employers will be looking for. There are many colleges that also offer work-study programs to help students pursue their dream careers.