Career in the Automotive Industry

[ManaghGB]

Bit of a repost but I was told if I do this il get a better response. So i'm stuck in deciding why career to do. I'm passionate about cars and want to work with them. I'm not particularly mechanically minded but do know abit in theory. I'm currently doing a-levels in physics and maths and hope to go to uni to study automotive engineering.

I just need an idea o what kind of jobs there are out there in this area of work and any advise anyone has. My dream job would be product development for Aston Martin or BMWs M division.

Cheers

[T89 Callan]

ManaghGB said:

I just need an idea o what kind of jobs there are out there in this area of work

At the moment? None.

[Engineer1]

T89 Callan said:

ManaghGB said:

I just need an idea o what kind of jobs there are out there in this area of work

At the moment? None.

+1
there are fk all and those there are are shakey

[T89 Callan]

Engineer1 said:

T89 Callan said:

ManaghGB said:

I just need an idea o what kind of jobs there are out there in this area of work

At the moment? None.

+1
there are fk all and those there are are shakey

I genuinely believe that the latest crash will have a lasting effect on Automotive employment, OEMs and suppliers are going to consider long and hard before replacing the people they have cut in the last year, also I think that contractors are going to be consigned to temporary 'filler' roles.

When I was at JLR there was something like 1200 contractors, I doubt we'll ever see that again.

[FNG]

There are a few, and I stress a few, jobs out there at the moment but the manufacturers are taking perfect-fit people with a lot of experience and paying them 60% of last year's rates.

And that's for projects that they are forced to do because of legislation or ageing models.

I'm seeing a lot of product development heading overseas; if you are prepared to spend your career in Germany or the US or China or India then maybe there's a chance for you to make your living right through to retirement.

Me, I am expecting one to two more years of work in the UK on contract and in that time I need to get myself relevant and desireable by another industry that has a future in this country. The automotive industry, in terms of design development, doesn't.

I honestly don't think there will be enough jobs for the number of current, experienced engineers in the country by 2012.



I reckon about half of all engineers in the automotive industry want to develop sports cars and supercars so you'll have to be fking outstanding to land that gig.

The guys who hack fast cars around the handling circuit every day have, IMO, the best job in the world and are the luckiest engineers in the industry - a handful of very talented blokes from tens of thousands who would dearly love to do the same.



Last comment - I love cars, I live and breathe them and I have since I was under a year old. I have 5 project cars at the moment and am always working on them, buying them, modifying them, working on maximising their potential. I'm an utter petrolhead and it goes from washing them to rebuilding gearboxes and redesigning suspension geometry.

But I wish I'd gone into software development or banking. I have friends in those industries who are just as petrolhead as me, but they earn twice as much, are certainly no more intelligent, but have much, much nicer toys.

In the automotive industry you get paid poorly relative to your studies, intelligence and potential, and still rarely get your hands on the product. I know of junior marketing bimbos who get more hands-on with the cars, more time behind the wheel, than I ever have.

Sorry but as you can gather I can't advocate automotive engineering to a petrolhead - unless you want to get into racing, and live and breathe that. The mainstream industry is ultimately disappointing for the vast majority, and in this country I don't think you can call it a lifelong career any more either.

I hope someone else has more positive things to say but I'm afraid I think that development of cars in this country is circling the plughole.

[ManaghGB]

Thanks for all the comments, especially FNG. They have really helped me and also made me realise that maybe I should do something to fund my passion rather than just struggling to try and do it.

One more question though, are all engineering areas of work hard to get into in this country? I ask this because I'm a very techical, sciency kind of person so want to do 'something' in engineering.

Thanks again.

[T89 Callan]

ManaghGB said:

Thanks for all the comments, especially FNG. They have really helped me and also made me realise that maybe I should do something to fund my passion rather than just struggling to try and do it.

One more question though, are all engineering areas of work hard to get into in this country? I ask this because I'm a very techical, sciency kind of person so want to do 'something' in engineering.

Thanks again.

You really want to be an Engineer?

Go into Nuclear, Oil and Gas or other Energy.

[ChapppeRS]

FNG said:

**Stuff about how the automotive industry is a massive disappointment**

Wish i'd read this post a couple of years ago ^

CRY.

If you're a petrolhead, a big automotive company is not for you.

Edited by ChapppeRS on Wednesday 2nd December 16:20

[Lastinclass]

I wholeheartedly agree with FNG. Working in engineering within the motor industry is more likely to convert you away from being a petrolhead!! The marketing/events/media people spend way more time with the products.

Find something to fund your petrolhead hobby don't make your hobby a career.

[Ultuous]

ManaghGB said:

One more question though, are all engineering areas of work hard to get into in this country? I ask this because I'm a very techical, sciency kind of person so want to do 'something' in engineering.

I felt exactly the same at your age - particularly enjoyed my Physics A level, and didn't mind Maths either, so wanted to pursue a 'technical' career...

If you're prepared to put in the work, get good A levels, and get onto one of the top science or engineering courses, I'd go for it.. You'll be following your academic talents and instincts, which has to be better than going against them...

By the time of your final year you may have rather different career aspirations, but your 'numerate' background should give you a good choice of career options.... I've stayed in the auto industry since I graduated (and as others have said, it's rarely as glamourous as it seems to the outside world)... Best mate did the same Mech Eng course and is now director at an investment bank, so there's plenty of career choices at the end of it!