ADVICE for University

"@rbalch1" (rbalch1) 02/17/2014 at 06:08 • Filed to: None

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Hello Oppo.
I, like many of you share an interest in Cars.
What subjects, or area of subjects would you suggest I consider taking.
This year I will be doing a Bachelor of Arts (I can major in almost anything)

I am Currently considering majors in:
Marketing (as an entry into the car business)
International Business
Business Information Systems

But I am not necessarily sure that going down the business route is the right thing
Luckily I can chose many different electives from different faculties.

Preferably.. if there was a degree in all things cars, i would do that

Any advice is welcome
Thanks in advance

Rob

EDIT: To the older readers. How have you involved cars with your career?

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 06:17

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Mechanical Engineering?

/captainobvious

@rbalch1 > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 02/17/2014 at 06:22

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funnily enough, i hadnt thought of that
The arts degree doesnt offer that as a major. but i can do those subjects as my electives
Thanks

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 06:22

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I'm halfway through a mechanical engineering degree. Have had a lecture set specifically on internal combustion engines, a 3D CAD design project you get to choose (I rendered a brake disc and caliper) and a module with some physics of mechanisms and machines. The rest of the course is mathematics (not so fun) and a module on business and management which seems handy and a module on manufacturing which teaches how a production line runs and the properties of materials and a little programming. I've heard manufacturing is a good route into the automotive industry too so that module seems good. So if you're mechanically inclined it's an excellent way to go.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 06:41

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You'd probably be better off doing a BS instead of a BA. Employers don't really look at what electives you took in college.

@rbalch1 > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 02/17/2014 at 06:47

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At this stage i am locked into the BA. But i can take science subjects to transfer into next year

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 06:56

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I would advise you do, only if you want to be in the technical side of the auto industry. Trying to get an engineering job with a BA puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Also I'd just take the courses required by the BS and officially change your major next year.

Milky > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 07:43

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JUST DO SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO.

Really its that simple IMO. I just started an internship a month ago and its really nice not dreading the "mondays". As fas as involving cars into my career, I'm studying transportation design but my internship is designing a scooter.

So I'm not a car designer yet but I'm still getting paid to draw.

@rbalch1 > Milky 02/17/2014 at 08:39

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transportation design sounds interesting, what does that involve?
is it a design course

ssidd47 > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 08:42

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If you're dead set on studying business, my honest advice would be to pursue a finance/accounting major with some courses in international business or marketing. The quantitative fields are always in demand and it's usually easier to find jobs as a finance/accounting person compared to a marketing person.

If you'd prefer a more technical career, be an engineer. More useful than business, and it won't be as much of a stretch to go to work in a car company.

Disclaimer: I'm a finance/accounting major. I ended up in a consulting career, from which I hope to segue into a more car related career in the future :)

Team6.1 > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 08:51

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I got a B.S. in Applied Engineering (also called Industrial Engineering). After being Mechanical for 2 years then dropping it because I hated the hardcore non real world applicable math/science (diff e q can suck it). Ended up taking a flavor of all the engineering classes mixed with business and supply chain classes. It's a broad degree but almost any one was willing to hire because it was engineering. Personally I don't see where a B.A. would land you in the car world. My 2 pieces of advice are 1. Do whatever you love/enjoy and 2. See a career counselor and take a personality test. They can be helpful for figuring shit out.

6cyl > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 09:12

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Classes are really a crapshoot. It depends so much on the teacher. I would recommend joining a school motor sport club and if they don't have one go start one yourself.

Schnell! > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 09:16

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I've been a complete gearhead my entire life and faced a similar choice in undergrad. Now 30 and doing my MBA. Cars are becoming a side-business for me. Learning how to do restorations on British cars from my father-in-law. Will start to buy cars for light restoration and turn them as my part-time MBA courseload comes down.

Basically two routes: work in the car industry or do something else to make $ and play with cars on the weekend. I chose the later, Finance/Spanish undergrad and do international sourcing for a Fortune 100 - I love my job. I think that's the key though - LIKE WHAT YOU DO. You'll never be successful if you don't. Serious.

If few nuggets if you go with a business major:

1) Don't do general business. Pick something you like and specialize - you don't have to stay in that industry long-term, but you need to be visible to employers and there's nothing special about general Business. Go into something with plentiful jobs and advancement opportunities and you can make a jump later. I did Derivative Finance, wife did Marketing, both have worked in something other than that.

2) Get involved in as many leadership positions in extracurriculars as you can. Just being a member doesn't do it, get yourself titles as they also set you apart to prospective employers and show them you know how to lead and take initiative.

3) Get good grades. Most important thing. You want to lead off on your resume with a solid GPA as it's the first thing someone will see.

4) Have fun . Seriously - enjoy undergrad, it's a blast. You'll never have that much time on your hands again. Be an idiot, do some stupid stuff, just don't get caught. :)

Milky > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 09:30

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This is a cheesy video, but there is a lot of info in it.

(disclaimer - I have zero work in the video, I was only a sophomore when this was made)

SnowBallin > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 09:46

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My advice is: learn to write better.

I am dead serious. Being able to express yourself in an articulate manner is very important if you want to become successful. Judging by your post, you have numerous writing deficiencies that need to be addressed if you want to be taken seriously.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 10:07

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I had the same plan as you to get into something automotive....but mainly as it applies to a desk job.

I highly recommend looking into Advertising. There are a ton of Automotive Advertising Jobs in many cities. Also, a lot of times it's in the Communication Arts college instead of Business colleges, gives you an easier GPA entry point.

What school are you attending?

midengineer > 6cyl 02/17/2014 at 10:43

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Amen. Having the right professor for a class can make a world of difference.

tromoly > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 02/17/2014 at 12:02

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This. Getting a BA doesn't really mean anything unless you go for an MBA.

Squid > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 12:37

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Honestly a BA in business will limit where you can go, it seems if you go the business route it makes sense to go all the way through and get an MBA. It seems like a large majority of people are working towards getting a BA in business which means less opportunities in the long run. Really though just do what you want to do and what will make you happy, but going the engineering route is probably an easier way to get into working with cars. Right now I'm working on a BS in chem and have really no desire to go work with cars right now as I already spent about 4 years as a technician. Find something that will make you happy and get you a potential job that can help pay off your schooling.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > @rbalch1 02/17/2014 at 13:07

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I am obtaining my BA in Economics. It's really just a great tool that allows you to see things differently and hopefully help yourself and others make smart (financial) decision. Off of Econ, you can turn in almost any direction. I am currently focusing on international business and accounting.