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Message
re: Is a Automotive Bachelors of Science worth the time & money?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:20 am to MSUDawg98
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:20 am to MSUDawg98
Here are questions I would ask myself, my son, and people at the school:
1. What’s the difference between this 4-year degree and a vocational or community college program?
2. What are the projected career paths in the industry for each of those education routes?
3. Is there any sort of data on projected median income for this degree?
4. What’s the job placement rate for both paths?
I work in higher ed, but I don’t know anything about an automotive program. I have seen CC programs for automotive work (especially EV). My suspicion is that the CC degree (and nothing wrong with that - I think more people should explore those programs) is more tailored to line work and eventual foreman/supervisor, while this 4-year degree is geared toward higher paying positions. BUT, I would guess that most of the people in design and operations are engineers with engineering degrees (mechanical, electrical, etc).
I don’t know much about the auto industry so that’s why I would be asking these things.
Also, I can see the value of a 4-year degree in this field these days considering how insanely complex cars are these days. Gone are the days of learning as a kid and with experience in auto shops.
Last thing, try to get a very clear picture of what the actual job is and see if that’s really what you want to do. I have had friends finish engineering degrees at big schools (aTm, Va Tech, LSU) then get a job at Ford and HATE it. One in particular was a tinkerer too. Brilliant guy. Not sure what happened to him.
Hope this helps and kudos for paying attention to your son. You’d be surprised how many kids get zero help or oversight.
1. What’s the difference between this 4-year degree and a vocational or community college program?
2. What are the projected career paths in the industry for each of those education routes?
3. Is there any sort of data on projected median income for this degree?
4. What’s the job placement rate for both paths?
I work in higher ed, but I don’t know anything about an automotive program. I have seen CC programs for automotive work (especially EV). My suspicion is that the CC degree (and nothing wrong with that - I think more people should explore those programs) is more tailored to line work and eventual foreman/supervisor, while this 4-year degree is geared toward higher paying positions. BUT, I would guess that most of the people in design and operations are engineers with engineering degrees (mechanical, electrical, etc).
I don’t know much about the auto industry so that’s why I would be asking these things.
Also, I can see the value of a 4-year degree in this field these days considering how insanely complex cars are these days. Gone are the days of learning as a kid and with experience in auto shops.
Last thing, try to get a very clear picture of what the actual job is and see if that’s really what you want to do. I have had friends finish engineering degrees at big schools (aTm, Va Tech, LSU) then get a job at Ford and HATE it. One in particular was a tinkerer too. Brilliant guy. Not sure what happened to him.
Hope this helps and kudos for paying attention to your son. You’d be surprised how many kids get zero help or oversight.
0
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:21 am to MSUDawg98
quote:Theres a difference between the #2 party school in New Mexico (
The university is actually the #2 party school in the state. (Topped only by the state's primary land grant university.)
) and the #2 party school in a State like Louisiana. So you’ve told us nothing there without saying what State it’s in.
This post was edited on 10/4/24 at 7:22 am
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:30 am to yellowfin
quote:
That sounds more like a trade school than college. Nothing wrong with that if it’s what he wants to do
If he has to take calculus and physics then it's all good.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 7:46 am to MSUDawg98
What about taking that degree, and then trying to go work with a NASCAR team, or for NASCAR itsself?
Posted on 10/4/24 at 8:32 am to MSUDawg98
quote:Sounds like you need to go back...
Is a Automotive
Posted on 10/4/24 at 8:47 am to MSUDawg98
OP, I spent a large chunk of my 40 year career in automotive, working for an OEM, major consultancy (where a good but of the real fun engineering actually happens), and a Top 20 Tier One supplier. I made it quite a ways in the industry, and I've never heard of the degree you're describing, unless its maybe an imperfect description of a Kettering Institute (GMI for the old timers like me) or Wayne State program. Some thoughts:
1. It's probably better than a gender studies or sociology degree.
2. Degree pedigree matters a great deal at the major OEMs if you want to rise. Less so at the suppliers.
3. Are you sure this isn't a jumped up two year degree that they figured out a way to charge more for? PM me a link to the program if you don't feel like sharing here, and I'll give you my thoughts.
4. If this is a path to the shop at dealers, or even as a tech inside an OEM lab, there are shorter paths that pay along the way, and he may find that he has to go to a 1 year school at the OEM he picks after.
5. If he has the ability, an engineering degree would have a LOT more flexibility and portability. The auto industry is highly cyclical, and sheds people like mad every 7-10 years. If we screw up on trade issues, quite a lot of it will move to China. How's his Mandarin?
6. One way engineers make themselves portable and can switch careers mid-stream is by going back to grad school. Will this degree hamper his prospects to get accepted to a grad school because it is more of a tech school degree?
7. If he's just mechanically gifted but mathematically impaired, then maybe its a good option. I'd also take a very close look at the USN and USAF routes to various technical certifications, not to mention what they will pay for school afterwards.
1. It's probably better than a gender studies or sociology degree.
2. Degree pedigree matters a great deal at the major OEMs if you want to rise. Less so at the suppliers.
3. Are you sure this isn't a jumped up two year degree that they figured out a way to charge more for? PM me a link to the program if you don't feel like sharing here, and I'll give you my thoughts.
4. If this is a path to the shop at dealers, or even as a tech inside an OEM lab, there are shorter paths that pay along the way, and he may find that he has to go to a 1 year school at the OEM he picks after.
5. If he has the ability, an engineering degree would have a LOT more flexibility and portability. The auto industry is highly cyclical, and sheds people like mad every 7-10 years. If we screw up on trade issues, quite a lot of it will move to China. How's his Mandarin?
6. One way engineers make themselves portable and can switch careers mid-stream is by going back to grad school. Will this degree hamper his prospects to get accepted to a grad school because it is more of a tech school degree?
7. If he's just mechanically gifted but mathematically impaired, then maybe its a good option. I'd also take a very close look at the USN and USAF routes to various technical certifications, not to mention what they will pay for school afterwards.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 8:48 am to MSUDawg98
I would think (not 100% sure) an on the job training program at a reputable shop would be just as good and he gets paid while he learns.
The other option is call your local recruiter and have him go into the military as a wheel mechanic. If he’s wanting to work on cooler stuff, he could always go in as a Blackhawk crew chief and work on helicopters. There are plenty of jobs after his enlistment.
The other option is call your local recruiter and have him go into the military as a wheel mechanic. If he’s wanting to work on cooler stuff, he could always go in as a Blackhawk crew chief and work on helicopters. There are plenty of jobs after his enlistment.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 9:31 am to MSUDawg98
Get him on the insurance/collision repair side of the business - not repairing, but selling the products to repair.
I've been in it for 30+ years, and it has never seen a dip during recessions, etc.
People are always going to wreck cars, and auto insurance pays for those repairs.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 9:48 am to Lakefront-Tiger
quote:
Specialized degrees like this that feed directly into and are sponsored by an Industry are a gold mine for talented students that truly love that field.
It's infinitely better than a gender studies degree
Wyotech in Wyoming is the type of automotive "college" i was thinking of. There is some for A&P aircraft work as well. I would think the ceiling would top out pretty quickly. I am not sure how well it prepares you for when you want to move past the hands on part of car repair. That's where I think a real college degree would be an asset.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 9:54 am to holmesbr
That was my thought as well. The target audience for such a degree must be people who'd consider going to Wyotech or entering some kind of an apprentice program, but don't want to get to age 30-35 and find themselves hamstrung by the lack of a degree (and quite possibly headed to Strayer or U. of Phoenix with a wide-open checkbook 
). If that's the alternative, then I see the appeal.
You can weigh it against an ME degree, too. I don't have that degree, but my impression is that it's extremely mathematical. You're not going to have time to do much of anything hands on (and you're going to learn a lot of stuff only to immediately forget it). That turns off a lot of people.
). If that's the alternative, then I see the appeal. You can weigh it against an ME degree, too. I don't have that degree, but my impression is that it's extremely mathematical. You're not going to have time to do much of anything hands on (and you're going to learn a lot of stuff only to immediately forget it). That turns off a lot of people.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:02 pm to MSUDawg98
Seems like a Mechanical Engineering degree would be a better option.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:37 pm to MMauler
The only thing I can add is, OF COURSE, any engineering degree would be better. But not everyone is strong in math, etc. I barely understand basic algebra but I’m pretty strong in the sciences. I’ve had 2 friends that had sons with 4.0 gpas and 33-34 on ACTs drop out of engineering and become math teachers. I don’t know who he could talk to but I’d figure out a way to talk to the people that do the hiring and get their opinions. My advice is for him to always remember,”it’s not what you know , but who you know.” (Within reason of course). Study hard and make good friends!
Posted on 10/4/24 at 6:43 pm to jeffsdad
Sounds like a good opportunity for him to meet a lot of men.
Kids going to college now seem to have different priorities than I did (women) when I went off to college.
Kids going to college now seem to have different priorities than I did (women) when I went off to college.
Posted on 10/4/24 at 10:14 pm to Norla
Thanks for the input. He's been taking a dual credit automotive class at our CC. The teacher has been the one giving him most of the info. He may be able to get his ASE fairly quickly. SIU's program is on the same top 10 list as Wayne State. It's setup to get your general requirements done while getting the automotive foundation for the more advanced classes starting in year two.
They have a general layout for what classes you should take a you go along. There are two classes that get into the business side of it and allow a minor with another 6 credits (which is what the Jr who led the tour did last summer). The classes/lab are actually done on the same block of land as the school's airport. Aviation is something that I thought about as well.
We got the formal admission letter for the University today but won't be sure about the Automotive program until December.
They have a general layout for what classes you should take a you go along. There are two classes that get into the business side of it and allow a minor with another 6 credits (which is what the Jr who led the tour did last summer). The classes/lab are actually done on the same block of land as the school's airport. Aviation is something that I thought about as well.
quote:So this may be what's causing the suspicion but it's still humorous. My wife's cousin moved to NC and went through the NASCAR school. He finished and worked for less than half a season on short tracks. He moved back home and was fired within 2 months from a job marking utility lines. He's done nothing with it after buying into their "placement" marketing. (He's exactly who you'd expect to be in the category of not having a successful placement.) On the positive side for everyone else in the family, he's the opposite of the next generation.
What about taking that degree, and then trying to go work with a NASCAR team, or for NASCAR itsself?
We got the formal admission letter for the University today but won't be sure about the Automotive program until December.
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