2 answers
Kash
Student
Kalaheo, Hawaii
1
Question
Asked
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What are some classe I should take that would help me with becoming and automotive engineer and owning my own shop How many years of school should I go through inorder to become an auto motive engineer??
I am a freshman at waimea high school
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2 answers
Claxton Graham
Business Analyst
19
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Claxton’s Answer
Hi, Kash. Automotive engineering and auto mechanics are two different disciplines. The biggest difference beside the occupations themselves is the education required.
Being an automotive engineer involves earning an engineering degree through a university, similar to other engineering disciplines like civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
Being an auto mechanic or technician does not require a four-year degree. Some people go to community or junior colleges and earn associate's degrees in that field, which generally takes two years, while others attend trade schools geared toward training auto mechanics and technicians. How long it takes to finish coursework at a specialized trade school may vary.
In either instance, right now you'll want to focus on math and science courses, as those are the backbone of virtually all engineering disciplines, and if your high school offers it a course in auto shop. If your school does not offer auto shop, check with your local community or junior college to see if they offer such a course, and ask the school what the enrollment requirements are. Taking business courses will also be helpful if you are looking to start your own shop at some point. A well-rounded portfolio of coursework and extracurricular activities will benefit you no matter which path you take.
Being an automotive engineer involves earning an engineering degree through a university, similar to other engineering disciplines like civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
Being an auto mechanic or technician does not require a four-year degree. Some people go to community or junior colleges and earn associate's degrees in that field, which generally takes two years, while others attend trade schools geared toward training auto mechanics and technicians. How long it takes to finish coursework at a specialized trade school may vary.
In either instance, right now you'll want to focus on math and science courses, as those are the backbone of virtually all engineering disciplines, and if your high school offers it a course in auto shop. If your school does not offer auto shop, check with your local community or junior college to see if they offer such a course, and ask the school what the enrollment requirements are. Taking business courses will also be helpful if you are looking to start your own shop at some point. A well-rounded portfolio of coursework and extracurricular activities will benefit you no matter which path you take.
Susan P
Contract Management
29
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Hi Kash,
I am not sure if you are referring to becoming an engineer or an auto technician. I'll try to answer both. An automotive engineer is a specific type of engineer. This would require a 4 year college degree in engineering. You would also have to research schools that have the automotive specialty. With any type of engineering, after you graduate with your college degree, you would join a company and start as a junior engineer. You would have to train under senior engineers and then take an exam. For automotive engineering you would most likely work for a large company and help design cars.
You mentioned opening your own shop, so that makes me think that you want to work on cars. If so, I highly recommend asking your school guidance counselor about your local technical or trade school. This trade school is part of your school. You would start your sophomore year - taking your regular classes; math, science, English, etc and then the second part of the day you would go to the trade school and learn about cars and how to fix them. By the time you graduate high school, you have more experience than the average person. This helps in applying for jobs. Sometimes the trade school also assists you in getting a job as well. Remember that there are many different types of shops. You could work and in the future open your own: general- meaning you work on everything that could be needed, collision - fix cars that have been in accidents, glass you install windshields and everything window related, painting or wrapping cars, just to name a few.
Besides enrolling in the tech school, I would also recommend taking any type of business class that your school has to offer. Some actually teach you how to start your own business. Just remember that starting/owning your own business is hard work. You will work nonstop in the beginning, and you probably won't make a profit for a few years as well. The benefits in the long run will outweigh that. You make your own schedule, you answer to yourself since you are the boss, in the future you will be able to take more time off to do what you enjoy, you should make more money as well. I know 3 people who own their own automotive business - all 3 have nice homes and cars, and own vacation houses. It's hard work and not every business succeeds, but it is definitely worth trying. I love that you are a freshman and thinking about this! When the time comes, you can also apply for small business grants from the government. This means that the government can give you money to start your business that you do not have to pay back. Good Luck!
I am not sure if you are referring to becoming an engineer or an auto technician. I'll try to answer both. An automotive engineer is a specific type of engineer. This would require a 4 year college degree in engineering. You would also have to research schools that have the automotive specialty. With any type of engineering, after you graduate with your college degree, you would join a company and start as a junior engineer. You would have to train under senior engineers and then take an exam. For automotive engineering you would most likely work for a large company and help design cars.
You mentioned opening your own shop, so that makes me think that you want to work on cars. If so, I highly recommend asking your school guidance counselor about your local technical or trade school. This trade school is part of your school. You would start your sophomore year - taking your regular classes; math, science, English, etc and then the second part of the day you would go to the trade school and learn about cars and how to fix them. By the time you graduate high school, you have more experience than the average person. This helps in applying for jobs. Sometimes the trade school also assists you in getting a job as well. Remember that there are many different types of shops. You could work and in the future open your own: general- meaning you work on everything that could be needed, collision - fix cars that have been in accidents, glass you install windshields and everything window related, painting or wrapping cars, just to name a few.
Besides enrolling in the tech school, I would also recommend taking any type of business class that your school has to offer. Some actually teach you how to start your own business. Just remember that starting/owning your own business is hard work. You will work nonstop in the beginning, and you probably won't make a profit for a few years as well. The benefits in the long run will outweigh that. You make your own schedule, you answer to yourself since you are the boss, in the future you will be able to take more time off to do what you enjoy, you should make more money as well. I know 3 people who own their own automotive business - all 3 have nice homes and cars, and own vacation houses. It's hard work and not every business succeeds, but it is definitely worth trying. I love that you are a freshman and thinking about this! When the time comes, you can also apply for small business grants from the government. This means that the government can give you money to start your business that you do not have to pay back. Good Luck!