GM was supposed to interview on our campus, a solid engineering school, but they may be canceling their on-campus interviews because only three people signed up. I was talking to two of my roommates about this and both of them said they would not consider working for GM because it’d be like jumping on a sinking ship. Both of these kids already have offers from other companies of similar size as GM (one of them shares the same first letter), so they’re in at least some sort of demand, but if only three people signed up in general are they not going to be pulling the best from our school? I will clarify that I believe the word best has a lot more meaning than a GPA.

The scenario they laid out was that you had two offers, one from GM and one from Honda. The pay is identical, the benefits are identical and they’re located next door to each other. Which one would you choose? Even another one of my roommates, a die-hard domestic guy who posts quite a bit in the lounge, had to think long and hard about it.

It is something that requires a lot of thought, because coming out of school we have loans and need some sort of stability to get on our feet. One of the roommates blamed the media because of all the negative news we’ve read about GM, and they report very little positive news, but what positive news is there? He thought that it was a good idea about cutting down their product lines, but he was turned off when I told him that Pontiac just received an Equinox and they’re possibly getting a Cobalt. Honda and Toyota have the let-the-good-times-roll stigma about them, so they don’t quite have the burning need to have a detailed road-map well know.

There’s little doubt that they probably have a much better turn out in the Michigan schools such as the University of and Michigan State, but what about schools outside the region which may carry different ideas than the typical mid-westener has? I wish I had some hard numbers in front of me, but I don’t so this is all speculation.

Now, with a glass is half full approach to the situation, is GM only attracting people who really want to work for the company? I know I didn’t even have to think about the above proposed question, I had already made up my mind by the time he said “job at GM.” Obviously most of us on this board are passionate about the company and its products and many of us would love the opportunity to work there. Maybe that’s what GM needs, people who just don’t want to collect a paycheck, but in the past have beaten out some others who might have been a better fit. Are they only attracting people who want to help save the company? The people who want to work at GM are probably car guys (and gals), which maybe the adrenaline shot in the arm the company needs. Or maybe I’m just overly romantic about the situation because I’ve only a couple years of cold, hard business reality.

I’d like to hear from some of you who work for GM, or are engineers, industrial designers or the like. It’s rather interesting to me.

 

Get a government job!

Job security (stability) and great benefits are pretty much a lock.

 

Well, I just graduated from Georgia Tech a little while ago with an Industrial Design degree and I have been thinking about a similar topic. My dream job would be to work for GM doing design work on any project, it wouldn't really matter. Today I was looking around for jobs, not just the auto industry, and I found a design position for Ford and it got me thinking. How would I feel about that? I just don't have the passion for working for them. I think my heart just wouldn't be in it (although I still wouldn't turn down a job). I wish jobs were given to people who were very passionate about what they were doing and cared a lot more about the job than the paycheck. If this was the case, then I might have a job at GM. Unfortunatly, Georgia Tech didn't have a specific transportation design program so most likely I will not get a job in the auto industry.

To answeer the scenario question: I would choose GM. That is what I am passionate about and I think that would trump any other concerns about job security. The bottom line is that I wouldn't put the same effort into working for Honda vs working for GM. It wouldn't be a concious decision, it's just that the fire isn't there.

 

From my perspective, I see much more passion, overall, today than I did even 10 years ago........

I will also say that the 'old' Chevrolet organization that was essentially killed shortly after Jim Perkins left and Zarella came in....was a hugely passionate organization........we had something called "The Chevrolet Way"....and it was a code of conduct ......
..the way you dressed
..the way you conducted business both internally and externally
..the passion for product....(unfortunately we didn't get what we wanted many many times.....but also look at the C4--the Impala SS....the 4th gen Camaro.....) When I went to work for Chevrolet in the 70s, there were well over 20,000 people at Chevy...remember, that's AFTER the plants were turned over to GMAD. There are less than 80 today.

All that said...GM, as a whole, is much smaller,...but current management...the Bob Lutzs' and Mark Laneves' ....instill a new confidence....and a renewed passion in many many people.

SneakyNeil....I can understand what you're saying. I was approached by two imports and a domestic......for more money...(in one instance...substantially more money) and I couldn't do it. If you really love what you're doing and you really believe in the company...then you stay. Loyalty is important to me. And I make no apologies.

 

well one thing... I want to work for my future... if GM pays the most, to their employees, expecially the engeneers and designers, people would be interested in it for the money... (remember not everyone does what they love, or works for the company that motivates them) Remember as a child you probably grew up thinking Doctors and Lawyers made more money than anyone... think if GM had that kind of a reputation... American dads would push their children to work for GENERAL MOTORS some day... WOW?

and if the right kind of enthusiasm and propaganda was promoted as children grew up... people would only dream of having a good job, like the ones at GM...

but honnestly, who hear likes any job possition that has anything to do with automobiles...
car salesman... "their liars, all of them"...
car assembler(not sure what accual possitions might be called) but for the most part, people assume they cant do any better, they cant get a deploma, overpaid... just a few things ive heard on this board,
a mechanic... same thing, some old football jock who used to have a hotrod, now hes not quite sure whats wrong with your car but... if you just leave it to him for a few days he'll figure it out...
automotive engeneer, often mistaken for a mechanic...
the list goes on... no one strives to work for the auto industry, its a default job... that 10% of the US population is employeed either directly or indirectly by the automotive industry in the United States...

 

From what I've seen of the industry, the OEMs are relying more and more on suppliers and less on internal engineering talent. The best engineering tends to carry a premium, and for those companies that pursue low cost over all else, there's some difficulty procuring the best engineering value.

 

I applied at Ford when I first graduated from University. But if I'd been hired I don't think I would have stayed long. Being a die-hard GM guy since I first started playing with cars in the sandbox, I know that my heart wouldn't have been in it. How could I possibly get excited about their products when my brain is hardwired to always think of Ford as the enemy?

What I always wonder about is when the top executives switch companies. Most of those guys are probably even more passionate about cars than us. Their professional (and very public) reputations are tied to a specific company. They've been on record dozens of times talking about how great their company is, and how much better their products are than Brand X. Then they switch companies and work at Brand X. How do you reconcile that in your own mind? Can they just turn off their passions?

I dunno, maybe I'm overthinking this.

 

I finally got smart at 29. I went to College for business management. I have worked as a cook (more than once), an office assistant (more than once), a delivery driver, warehouse manager and a salesman for a toy company that went under in six monthes. Thats 8 jobs in 8 years.

I came to the realization a few weeks ago that I have gone through so many jobs in such a short time because I had no Passion in any of them. I am going back to school to become a mechanic because my passion is CARS.

I agree that kids need to learn early, but they learn from example. My son is five. I told him and his eight year old sister that when they are old enough WE would rebuild a car together. They are so excited. Last night at the dinner table my son said he wants to "fix up cars" when he grows up. I know there is a lot of time between 5 and a career, but DAMN that was cool to hear.

 

I was notified of Monday GM interviews on this campus on the Friday before. Most people never got the word at all and I had prior commitments. If they want people to interview, they should at least advertise

If GM offered what I'm looking for, I would have no problems joining that team. I'd have reservations about working for Honda. Whether or not this is stupid of me is beside the point. I could be enthusiastic working for GM, I can't say the same for Honda. Just an emotion of mine. While Honda might be more "safe", GM offers more of a chance to make a difference. It could crash, but I'd love to be a part of GM success.

I've been thinking long and hard about this subject. On one hand I'd love to be a GM engineer, on the other hand it might conflict with some other wants and needs of mine.

 

It's a sad fact, I'm seeing it too. Also, the outsourcing is moving into more "skilled and semi-skilled" fields. Especially in factories like: Machine Trades, Plumbers, Carpenters, Masons, tool making, middle management, etc.....Every year it seems to creep further up the food chain.
It's nice to know you could be cruising at 100+mph in a vehicle full of sub-standard outsourced parts, designed and produced by the LOWEST bidder...

Anyways, it seems companies are only interested in employing people with a "piece of paper" /degree, not quantifying; passion, dedication, ambition, loyalty, effort, pride, ability, etc...........
How did such a bias become credible...