I don't know if this been asked before are there any true car enthusiasts out there that have a career that is related to car? (Excluding car salemen) I'm asking because I think I might be going into the wrong field of study. I've just completed 2 years toward a BS in Computer Engineer and now I'm not feeling the passion I feel with cars. I've always wanted to work in the automotive industry but I felt that I might one day I might get grow out of it and no longer like cars the way I like them now. Now I want to change my major to Mechanical Engineer but that would set me back. I'm thinking of maybe Electrical Engineer but they are very closely related to Computer Eng.. I've been searching around and I can't find any automotive jobs that required Computer Engi., all I see is Mechanical or Electrical. So anybody out there that are working in the automotive industry right now, what are your majors? Can Computer or Electrical Engineer find a job in automotive? Any suggestion or knowledge would greatly help me out right now.

 

with computer engineering you can design computer systems for automobiles, like be the guys who created teh AEM EMS or hondata! btw my major is computer science.

 

You'll have more luck getting a position in the "automotive world" with a Mech Eng. degree. I'm in the field and have seldom seen computer engineers in our field, but they just support our network. Don't let time get in the way of your decision, you don't want to be stuck in something you hate doing.

 

sylvir2k, what are your work position and responsibilities?

 

I work for a major diesel truck/engine corp. Basically I run tests on the engines to compile data and then analyze it for improvements.

Like you, I had a strong interest in cars/engines. I can't imagine doing anything else. Though it is a pain when friends and friends of friends want you to work on their cars.

 

How about Aviation? That would be a blast!

 

Most of the jobs are Mechanical. Having a CE degree won't hurt you, but it won't help you much either for getting into the automotive field. The only place a CE will be utilized is in the engine makers, where the similarity to a EE degree will make it a wash.

Also, don't view switching now as a set back. You'll only lose 1-2 semesters now. If you finish your CE and decide you don't like it when you graduate, you'll have lost 8+ semesters.

Good luck.

 

With Mech engineering you can also do design work for automotive components (e.g. sensors or other molded parts).

If you want to pursue the CE angle you have to press your resume on companies doing the automotive information bus research and proposals (e.g. you could be a Microserf).

 

Thanks for all the comments guys.

 

hmmmm ...

Mechanical Engineer - design vehicles, parts (aftermarket like Spoon too)
Electrical Engineer - control systems, wiring, etc
media - reporting, photographing events
mechanic - fix the vehicles, custom aftermarket installs
any job with the vehicle mfg's - sales, marketing, etc
technician - work at the plant or shop building parts / etc
craftsman - read prints and make parts in parts shop (weld, mill, lathe, etc)
driver - race car driver, car mover, chaeffer