I'm currently a high school junior trying to find a college major that would set me up for a successful career in the automotive industry. I really love cars and I'm interested in both the engineering and business sides of the field.
What majors do you recommend I look into? I've heard of mechanical engineering, but are there other options that might be less obvious? Also, if there are any specific schools known for strong automotive programs, I'd love those recommendations too!
There are several majors you may want to consider based on your interests, both within and beyond the field of mechanical engineering.
Starting with engineering, automotive engineering would be an excellent choice, as this major would give you specific knowledge about vehicle design, production, and operation. Additionally, electrical engineering and even software engineering are becoming more important in the industry with the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles.
As you've mentioned an interest in the business side of the industry, another choice could be supply chain management or logistics. These majors emphasize the coordination, production, shipment, and distribution of goods, which are all applicable to the automotive industry.
Beyond these, industrial engineering focuses on optimization of systems, processes, and organizations, which can be useful in designing efficient automotive factories or workflows. Materials science, which focuses on the discovery and design of new materials, can also be helpful given the continual need for lighter, safer, and more cost-effective materials in automotive design.
In terms of colleges, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Purdue University, and Clemson University have particularly strong programs in automotive engineering. For supply chain management, Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State University are well-regarded.
Remember that experiences outside the classroom like internships, co-op programs, and extracurricular activities like Automotive Clubs or Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) can be just as important as coursework for gaining hands-on experience and making industry connections. So, look for colleges that offer these opportunities in addition to a strong academic curriculum.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.