How to articles : How to Become an Automotive Engineer

Engineering is the study of structure and design. Automotive engineers apply that study to developing and manufacturing cars, trucks and cargo vehicles. The field includes separate specialties, each of which requires its own specialized education and career path. Far from being another step on the track of building or repairing autos, automotive engineering can be a lucrative career choice that requires advanced education and training. There are two basic tracks for becoming an automotive engineer. You can train in automotive engineering technology, or you can get a general degree in mechanical engineering.

Method 1 of 3: Preparatory Steps

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Decide which training track you want to follow: automotive engineering or mechanical engineering.
- Mechanical engineering hopefuls should take high school or community college classes in chemistry, mathematics and physics to improve their chances of getting into a college program.
- Automotive engineering hopefuls should focus on the technology used in that career path, including classes in IT and computer science, and at least 1 class in CAD drafting.

Method 2 of 3: Mechanical Engineering

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Pursue an undergraduate degree in chemistry, physics or mathematics. If getting your degree from a liberal arts school, fill your non-major credits with courses in design and computer science. 3D CAD and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances) is also widely used in automotive engineering.
- Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Japan are all major players in the automotive manufacturing market. If your college requires a foreign language, these will serve you in the automotive industry.
- Graduate school is typically a requirement for an advanced career in engineering, so keep your grades up to get your best shot at a quality graduate program.
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Complete a graduate course in mechanical engineering or automotive engineering. These courses will require you to take classes in physics, structural engineering, electrical engineering, system design and analysis. A typical graduate degree can take 2 years.

Method 3 of 3: Automotive Engineering Technology

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Pursue a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering technology. This classwork will include study of automotive parts, safety considerations and industry issues like energy efficiency and emissions control.
- Get good grades and seek and internship in the automotive industry while pursuing this degree. Since this path doesn't require a graduate degree, there's a larger pack of potential candidates. Anything you can do to stand above the rest will help in your job search.