[Corsa GT]

I've read various threads on the forum, and talk to Kevin (Trackbird) frequently, and just figured this would be a good place to put my question out there. I can't very well get it answered if I don't ask.

I'm fresh out of high school, and currently plan on going to Kettering University (the former GMI) in the fall. My question is this: What exactly goes on during an average day for you guys? I'm talking automotive mechanical, of course. I love playing around with my Miata, thoroughly enjoyed my short ownership period of an LT1 TA, and have been learning intensively about cars in the last few years. I always find myself wondering how something could be improved when tackling a problem, or processing a variety of ways to attack a problem. I strongly feel this is something I want to do, and could enjoy doing for quite some time.

What I don't want is to be sitting in front of AutoCad for 10 hours a day, 50 weeks a year. This is not saying I don't want to use something like that weekly, even daily, just not all day every day. I'm not an artist, either, much past giving poor representations during dinner on napkins (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) . I see myself wanting to be with a few other people, bouncing ideas back and forth, finding shortcomings and improvements on each other's. I don't mind working the often required late hours, nor do I mind traveling. I'm not sure how much it really matters, but when I recently took a questionnaire through school a few months ago, asking me about my interests, interaction habits, and other personality traits, engineering was high an the list of recommended occupations.

With all of that out of the way, I come back to the initial question: What is an average day like? Is there any advice you can give me about this field? I appreciate any and all input. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Katz]

I was on the same boat several years ago when I got my MET degree (mech. engineering technology - basically same as ME sans a couple of calculus). I just wanted to get a job something related to cars.

I currently work for one of street rod chassis manufacturers. I did learn a lot about suspension kinematics (on my own) and chassis fabrication skills, but it hasn't been what I call an exciting job. Sit in front of computer 40 hrs a week, mostly being a draftsman drawing chassis for stupid & useless show cars with 22" wheels and air suspension. Very little "R&D" work, and all of those were done on computer (Solidworks, WinGeo, etc).

We did build a test mule a couple of years ago, and I only got to drive it once on street. Then it was covered in pretty paint right after the car was tested by one of hot rod type magazines, and now it competes in show car circuit.

I'm about to move on to better things. I got attention from my new employer because of the work I've done and the knowledge I gained at my current job, so at least it was a good stepping stone.

Unless you have a guarantee on landing a cool job like a test driver, don't limit yourself to automotive industry. I'm not saying you shouldn't get into auto industry - just don't limit yourself and miss out on good opportunities.

Generally speaking, automotive engineers are way under-paid. I know many UAW workers get more than engineers. Many engineers (including myself) get in this industry for something other than money, but the reality is you need money to make good living and enjoy your life. It'll be cool to play with company cars with company expenses, but I'm sure you want to play with your own cars as well. Racing or tracking your car gets pretty expensive.

If you can't get the dream job, you might as well go for the highest paying job. So get a job with good salary, good salary increase, and good incentives/benefits that you don't mind doing for several years. Invest in stocks (this may not be a good advice as of now), and buy a house. Once you're past through the stage of living on paycheck to paycheck, you can move onto better things and do what you want to do, be it a more enjoyable job, racing your car, or whatever.

Good luck!

Katz