Career Advice Needed

[RickWood]

Hello, my name is Rick and I'm a recent BMET graduate with an Associates in Automotive Technology. I have a strong interest in working for an automotive OEM or aftermarket parts company, preferably focusing on the IC engine, turbocharging or suspension components. However, my work experience in the medical device and ion source industries does not exactly open up doors into the automotive world. Most of my coworkers seem to say that the field you cut your teeth in becomes the field you stay in.

The problem is, I'm not sure how to break in to the field. I have a passion for cars that would make automotive design work more like play. I have two questions:

1) How does one go about finding companies in the oem/aftermarket industry by location?

2) If I can't get my ideal design job around here, what can I do (school/work experience) to best prepare myself for the automotive industry?

I have a strong background in CAD/FEA/CAM and I'd love to someday have a performance shop as a side business... I just need help finding the first step.

 

[GregLocock]

Odd. That was a problem I solved for myself at the grand old age of 17. I went to a library and researched every single lead in the /country/ and wrote to 70 of them.

I got maybe 10 interviews and two good offers out of that.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[cksh]

First of all let me ask...Are you crazy?! I would love to get out of Automotive. But you seem passionate about getting into (as I was 10 years ago) so if you are willing to put the time and effort into it there is a chance.

Being a recent grad sure helps. I agree with Greg that you need to research and send out lots of resumes. Cold contact them, check out their web pages (lots of them have career areas).

I am tier 1 now but have worked aftermarket/OEM before. There are lots of suppliers in Michigan that do that kind of stuff. You will most likely have to cold contact them. And hands-on experience would help alot. Most of the designers I had worked with in OEM companies used to wrench for a living (I did not but this was in the 90's when you could write your own ticket as a designer).

You might need to start small. Get your foot in the door somewhere. I am not sure what your degree is. Technology? Are you looking to be a tech that maybe tests, assembles, troubleshoots components and requests changes to the engineers? Or are you looking to be an engineer that designs the components based on feedback from marketing/sales or customers requirements? Both? I am an engineer so I might not be the best person to give you advice.

 

[RickWood]

I'm a Mechanical Design Engineer at my current job and would be looking to do R&D or Process Development for a company like Bilstein, Eibach, Garret, etc...

The technology degree is about the integration of math into our curriculum. My particular degree only required up Differential Equations, I'm not sure what other typical engineering programs require. There was also alot of hands-on lab experience.

I guess my question was more about what search methods to use to find companies in the field, by geographic location. I have no problem researching or cold-calling, I just don't know how to search for relevant employers that are in the greater Boston area.

Alternatively, I was wondering if it would be "worth" going for an ME. If so, known universities/programs would be a big help since I'm not in the industry and don't know what your employers like to see. Should I be going for my FE/PE?

As far as my desire to get into the field... "The grass is always greener..."

 

[cksh]

If you want to look in Boston try checking

http://www.thomasnet.com

or something similar. With their site you can look for a specific product and location (state) and it will show you companies in the area. I have used it before. I am sure there are other sites you can use but I can't think of any right now.

I don't think you would need a PE. Couldn't hurt but I have never met anyone that had one for Automotive. Construction/civil/structural etc definitely get it

I have a BSME and only had one class past Diff eq. (Schools requirement but not typical I don't believe) But It sounds as though you have the math so as long as you have the 4 year degree you might be alright.

I have heard rumors that some places (Chrysler etc) frown on any degree without the BS tag. I have personally known people that had tech degrees and could not get promoted. Usually its because the tech degrees I am familiar with do not have the math or science background. Calc one and done with some basic physics You might have the math so maybe you need more of the science side?

Anyways I am starting to ramble so I had better stop!

 

[RickWood]

I'll check out Thomasnet, thanks!

The degree is BS-MET. BMET is just our way of referencing the program.

I originally went to WPI for a year and then changed my mind and went to school for automotive technology. Once I had my Associate's Degree, I decided to go back for my Bachelor's and found Wentworth to be very similar to WPI but at a much better price-point and in a much nicer city.

Thanks!