automotive school help

[dumbstroke8]

i need some help deciding what i want to study. i want to design, create, install, and test aftermarket parts. i'm not sure if that means i should study automotive engineering or if i should go to a technical school like Wyotech and learn how to weld and fabricate parts, then learn how to install them. any input on what automotive engineers do would be helpful

[Q45tech]

Design and test are the key words! Engineers make more money on average than non engineers.Most design work is done on CAD.

That is the problem you really need both technical [engineering school------a BSME degree] and hands on skills. An MBA also wouldn't hurt in the long run if you want to run your own business or if you want upper management respect.

Study the SEMA website:http://www.sema.org/

[rbsileighty]

i need some help deciding what i want to study. i want to design, create, install, and test aftermarket parts. i'm not sure if that means i should study automotive engineering or if i should go to a technical school like Wyotech and learn how to weld and fabricate parts, then learn how to install them. any input on what automotive engineers do would be helpful

I am an automotive engineer/student (co-op school http://www.kettering.edu), and I work for Bosch as a ME in their fuel injector development dept. My job consists of developing improvements and conducting studies on our current EV14 model injector.

To be honest, I am more of a tuner/enthusiast myself. I would rather develop and play with the cars than sit behind a desk. The cool thing about my job is that the people are awesome where I work (always something to look into when looking into jobs... facility and staff), and I am not always at my desk. I will usually be out testing/measuring somewhere, and only be at my desk for the analysis part of the development.

Getting a degree as an engineer will still allow you to do the Wyotech stuff on the side. My school has tought me some of the things you would learn there anyway (we have an SAE team that builds mini formula style cars for competition... from the ground up), and I am more flexible in my career decisions.

I will be finishing up here (typically about a 5yr program) in the next year, and will already have 2 years of work experience. The only bad part about becoming a full on engineer... the school work is not easy in the least... but it really is interesting... for me at least.

The engineering path will allow you to include both of your goals. Some of my fellow students work for Nissan's tech facility, Skip Barber racing school, Saleen Motorsports (Mustangs, S7), Harley Davidson, GM, Ford.... just to name a few.

[dumbstroke8]

thanks for the help. i thought engineering was the path i wanted and now i'm sure it is.