Is a Career in Automotive Right for You

Have you always felt most at home in a garage, peeking out from under the hood of some car? With the right blend of education and viable training, you hold the opportunity to turn your passion in to a rewarding and lucrative career; which is more than most people aspire for. A career in the automotive industry is one of the most exhilarating professions you can opt for, especially if you have a predilection for cars and wish to stay surrounded by those beauties around the clock.

 

 

Career Opportunities in Automotive

There are a wide variety of job opportunities up for grabs when you step into the world of the automotive industry. These wide ranging jobs appeal to people of myriad interests, so we can safely venture to say that there is something for everyone. With the right training, this field allows you to reach higher positions relatively easily. Here are some of the most high paying career opportunities awaiting you in the automotive industry:

Automotive Technician Training

 

At first glance, people think that calling repairmen either “mechanics” or “auto technicians” is nothing but a change of words. However, this goes to reflect upon the booming role of technology in car repair. Automotive technicians repair, diagnose, and perform maintenance on automobiles. As such, their job responsibilities entail them to get acquainted with the intricate electronics systems employed to root out the issues with automobiles.

This is due to that fact that everything from the transmission to the steering is computer controlled in most modern cars. Similarly, since some cars have GPS incorporated as well, automotive technicians also need a strong comprehension on its inner workings.

Once the issue is narrowed down, auto technicians try to come up with the best strategy to get your vehicle out on the road again. After figuring out if your gearbox needs to be replaced or simply repaired, auto technicians get their hands dirty to get about the task.

Auto technicians have the option to specialize in repair work, such as car tuners, air conditioning experts, and transmission specialists. Auto technicians are also responsible for performing a plethora of other tasks, such as balancing wheels, replacing air filters, changing oil filters, in addition to other maintenance tasks such as doing tune ups and changing brake pads.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the median annual salary for auto service technicians was estimated to be $37,120 in 2015. According to reports by the BLS, such mechanics and technicians employed by the maintenance and repair industry reached an average salary of annual $37,060, while technicians and mechanics employed for dealerships earned $44,000 a year.

Vehicle Mechanics and technicians are required to have:
• Good communication skills
• An excellent knowledge of motor technology
• Excellent practical skills
• The ability to listen to and follow instructions
• A willingness to work as part of a team
• An awareness of safety and health regulations
• The ability to solve problems
• A reasonable level of fitness
• The ability to concentrate for protracted periods
• Close attention to detail
• Good manual dexterity
• The ability to use own initiative and work independently
• Current knowledge of issues pertaining to mechanics and a commitment to the industry
• Normal color vision
• A flexible approach to the job
• An enthusiasm for cars

Auto Mechanic

If you are aspiring to pursue a career in the automotive industry, becoming an auto mechanic is taking the profession of auto technician up a notch. While many people confuse automotive technicians with mechanics, and mechanics are responsible for most of the same tasks as technicians, mechanics are capable of performing jobs of much more complicated nature than auto technicians.

 

These tasks include things such as replacing alternators, engines, or fixing electrical and suspension problems. If you wish to take up the job of a mechanic, you need more rigorous training and education. During routine service inspections, mechanics lubricate and check engines and other components. After due inspection, mechanics also replace or repair worn parts before they could wreak havoc on the vital parts of the vehicles. Fuel and brake systems, plugs, belt hoses, and other potentially troublesome items are closely monitored.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of automobile mechanics was estimated to be 39,450. In fact, these days most mechanics glean an annual income between $20,920 and $61,210. Owing to the growth of cars being driven and the enhanced average lifespan of cars, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected the demand for automotive mechanics to witness a boost of 9% in the next decade. Especially, mechanics with specialized training or knowledge would be able to score the best opportunities.

Responsibilities of an auto mechanic may vary depending on the work required and the type of vehicle, but typically they include:

• Assessing the condition of a vehicle
• Carrying out MOT tests
• Fitting brakes, springs, and clutches
• Identifying mechanical faults in a vehicle's gears, engines, brakes, or electrics etc.
• Rebuilding gearboxes and engines
• Testing new vehicles to root out any flaws in the mechanics
• Ordering and tuning parts
• Converting engines to liquid petroleum gas
• Customizing vehicles to the owner’s specifications
• Fitting internal features, such as radios
• Fixing fuel problems
• Advising owners on cost of repairs and vehicle conditions
• Repairing and servicing vehicles which have broken down
• fitting and repairing tires

Diesel Mechanic Training

Diesel engines are the heavier renditions of the engines found in an average American car. A plethora of industries within the country rely on these potent heavy duty engines, which are employed in delivery and service boats, lighter personal work , buses, locomotives, combines, , trucks, and even a few types of sedan. In addition, diesel engines are also used in areas such as hydraulic systems, power plants, and oil rigs. Like any machine, they have to be replaced, repaired, and maintained, and who is responsible for these tasks? Diesel mechanics.

Diesel service mechanics and technicians, also known as diesel engine specialists or bus and truck mechanics, maintain and repair the diesel engines that power transportation gear such as locomotives, buses, and trucks. Specialized diesel mechanics also work on mobile equipment and heavy vehicles such as combines, farm tractors, road graders, cranes, and bulldozers.

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the diesel mechanics of today need to be versatile today to cater to the needs of their employers and customers. A successful diesel mechanic must be able to embrace new technologies, and handle repair works on a multitude of vehicle systems, for instance the complex computer and electronic systems that control the operation of diesel engines.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job projection for diesel mechanics is predicted to witness a growth of 12% in the next decade. According to the reports by BLS, the median annual salary for diesel engine specialists and diesel mechanics was calculated to be $44,520. More specialization or experience in the field enhances earning prospects.

Autobody Repair Technician

If an automobile has been wrecked after an accident, it can be fixed to operate as good as new. Collision repair technicians or more commonly known as auto body specialists, remove dents to refurbish damaged car exteriors. Most auto body specialists repair damaged passenger vehicle bodies, but some also repair large truck bodies and buses. These specialists work alone or in teams, under the supervision of a manager.

When they encounter a disaster struck vehicle, auto body technicians gauge the extent of vehicle damage on light trucks and cars. They determine which auto body part needs to be replaced and which is in need of repairs. Working with fiberglass, plastic, and metal, they leverage a wide array of equipment, including hand tools, hot-air welding guns, media blasters, pneumatic metal-cutting guns, and hydraulic devices.

With the use of this gear, they are able to re-paint damaged areas, fix dents, replace and remove parts, and straighten alignments. Autobody repair technicians may also work in assembly-line style, with different technicians responsible for separate parts of the repair venture.

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job projection for automotive body repair was predicted to experience a growth rate of 9% in the last decade. According to the reports by BLS, the median annual salary for auto body repair technician was calculated to be $40,970.

According to observations by BLS, successful auto body repair technicians possess the following traits:
• Math and reading skills to comprehend complex written instructions
• Strong technical and mechanical skills in the field
• Manual dexterity, physical strength, and good color vision
• The ability to work in a team and strong problem-solving skills

Car Salesperson

If you prefer staying out and about and communicating with people, becoming a car salesperson is one of the best careers for you in the automotive industry. This job entails you to spend the better part of your day trying to sell cars to people who visited your company showroom.

In contrast to a tradition of fixed salaries, your income in this career path depends on the number of cars you sell and the amount of commissions you earn. As you gain more experience, you can work your way towards a management position. While this job isn’t as lucrative in today’s economy as it used to be, top-notch sales person in posh neighborhoods do make a handsome living of up to $75,000+ annually.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobs for car salespersons were projected to witness a boost of 10% in the next decade. Retail salespersons for automobile dealers earned a median income of $43,790 annually, According to 2015 BLS data.

In this job you will typically:
• Advise the customers about the types of vehicles which would suit their needs
• Discuss the features of different vehicles and the specific needs of the customers
• Negotiate the sale price, such as any ‘trade-in’ value for an old car
• Arrange test-drives
• Focus on extra products such as after-sales services or accessories
• Work out finance, including car or cash loans
• Buy in used cars , place orders for new cars from manufacturers, and Update stock lists,
• Complete pre-delivery inspections and the necessary paperwork
• Keep the vehicles and forecourt tiny and clean
• Keep potential and existing customers informed about new deals and vehicles

Internet Sales Manager:
The job responsibilities of an internet sales manager are akin to those of a floor salesman. However in this case, instead of cornering people visiting the showrooms, you would be expected to work with leads garnered from the internet. While some leads are obtained directly through the website of the dealer, other leads often come in due to the affiliated websites that your dealer leverages to sell cars.

While this field is not even remotely related to the previously mentioned career paths, when taken within the context of the automotives sales area, this is a lucrative opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for internet sales manager found to be ranging from $29,768 to $53,229 per year.

Automobile Design

For the artistic souls out there, a career in automotive design is a great choice. This job entails you to conjure up innovative and ingenious car designs for your company. Automotive designers create concepts using computer-aided design (CAD) programs and sketches to ensure the functional performance and visual appearance of vehicles.

As an automotive designer, you’ll be expected to draft layouts of systems, assemblies, and automobile components using prototypes, models, and sketches. You also need to determine factors which may affect your designs by collaborating with automotive engineers, understanding manufacturing limitations, and using the models of previous cars. Based on computerized work aids, mathematical formulas, and detailed calculations, you’ll come up with designs for automobiles that best cater to the needs of the consumers.

Thanks to the ever shifting trends within the automotive industry, this job is always in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for automobile designers was predicted to be $64,570 per year. Most of the time, automotive designers work inside offices, but they might also be called upon to work on the production floors.