Monday, April 9, 2007

What You Need to Know About Careers in the Automotive and Motor Vehicle Industry

If you enjoy power, mechanics, and learning how things run, you may be interested in a career in the automotive and motor vehicle industry. This is a very broad field, and there are many different jobs that you can choose from. The average earnings in this industry is quite high, which is another benefit of choosing a job in this field. Before you make any final decisions about your career choices though, you need to fully understand what careers are available, what kind of education you will need, and the kind of money that you will be able to earn. Once you gather the right information, then you will have what you need to make a wise career choice.

Jobs Available

One type of job that you may want to consider in this field is becoming an automotive engineer. This job is in high demand, and if you enjoy seeing how things work and figuring out how to make them better, then this job may be a great one for you to consider. Electricians also have a part in this industry and deal with the electrical aspects of vehicles and insuring that they work correctly and function safely.

Other types of jobs include selling automobiles as well, whether owning a new car dealership, being a salesperson at a dealership, or dealing in used vehicles. There are many great mechanics jobs as well, which includes working on cars fixing problems and also doing routine maintenance as well. Machine operators have a big job in this industry since they do a great deal of work in the production of vehicles and their various parts. There are jobs in the industry for automotive transporters, detailers, painters, welders, inspectors, and more.

Education Required

The education that you will need to work in this field will be very dependent upon which type of career that you choose. If you decide to go into mechanical engineering, then you will probably need a bachelors degree and then a graduate degree in engineering. You may even have to take some time to complete an internship as well, either during your college years, or right after them. Electricians that work in this field require a good deal of education and usually have to take classes and work as an apprentice as well.

If you decide to sell vehicles, many times you will not need to have any college, but often companies like to see applicants that do have some college, and business classes look especially great as well. Machine operators, while not requiring formal education, usually have to go through some kind of apprentice program before they can become certified on specific machines. Service technicians and mechanics have to have some specialized training as well for most job positions. Having a certificate from a vocational school is a great thing, though some learn by apprenticeship.

Money Matters

While most jobs in this field offer great wages, they do differ quite a bit, depending on what kind of a job you are involved in. If you decide to become a mechanical engineer, you can probably expect to make a great deal of money, ranging from $40,000-$60,000 for beginners to over $100,000 per year for those for more experience and in special fields. Electricians that work in the automotive field usually make around or above $50,000 each year.

If you want to be a salesman of cars, or you want to own your own dealership, then what you make each year will depend on sales you make, and that can be highly dependent on the economy. Mechanics make a great deal of money at their jobs, with many of them earning $80-$120 per hour, which can add up fast.

Great Companies for Consideration

Those who decide to work in the automotive and motor vehicle industry want to find jobs that will offer them excellent benefits and great pay. While many may go into business for themselves, most people in this field will work for a company. In the United States, there are several great companies that offer excellent opportunities in this field including General Motors, Firestone, and Mercedes. There are also excellent opportunities in Canada as well with companies like Kent Automotive, and Canadian Tire.

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