I want to work on the business side, something to do with product development.

I will have a degree in Human Resources and a minor in Business in one more year from Texas A&M University.

My goal is to start work on an MBA with a focus in either marketing or operations management by the time I’m 26-27.

I would like to know what I can do this summer for a temporary job.

AND…

What I should do right after graduation, before I start my MBA work.

I know where I want to end up, but I’m unsure about specifically what to do in-between.

 

Same here.

I would certainly not turn down a job from any automaker at this point in time.

 

I agree,

I just think I would have a feeling of guilt going to work at Toyota knowing my goal would be to bury GM.

 

As an addendum to this, I'll add that it should be a tier 1 supplier that works directly with the automakers...

 

EXACTLY. And it's the industry experience that counts. You can go to work for GM with 5 years at Toyota under your belt.

Don't shut doors to get into the auto industry over brand loyalty.

I worked for one oil field service company for 5 years and then jumped over to a competitor for substantially higher pay and senior position.

 

Ok I understand that…..and obviously I wouldn’t turn down a nice job from a company like Toyota.

But other than just shooting my resume off to these companies, how do I go about getting my foot in the door?

 

Stefan my brother, I'm feeling the same way you are. Cars have always been my number one passion in life and I want to work in the industry. I graduated college last year with a communications. I'm currently work for a regional sports television network. I love sports and all but I want to get into the automotive industry sooo bad because like you it's something I'm very passionate about.

I've done the throw my resume cold to these companies when I was graduating last year and got no response. Any of our insiders (Red, Guy) wanna give any poor souls like us advice?

 

My story is much like yours. I went to an engineering school for 2 years and realized that while I like engineering, I dont think I have what it takes to be the best and I dont know if I could see myself doing that for a living.
I have now since adjusted and going after a business/marketing degree. I would like to come in to GM on the marketing side and work under LaNeve and the like. I have a very strong passion for cars like you do, and I saw this thread in almost amazment because I wanted to post something like this myself. I would love to use my creative engineering mind and put it twards marketing.

 

Well, I'll be honest - I'm not quite sure how to help you at this exact point. I made a move last year to a business-/product-development role, but I came over from the engineering side. Hopefully some business-school types here can help chart out a path for you.

Does your school compete in any of the SAE activities, such as Formula SAE or ChallengeX? Getting involved with that would definitely get you some relevant exposure. How about getting a job in sales and marketing or even engineering at a Tier 1 (thanks, WERM) supplier over the summer? For example, my employer just filled an intern position that involved doing some market research on a particular segment that we're looking to enter, and there was definitely a product-development aspect to it as well.

 

I'd suggest there's something related to service products or procedure you could look into? That's where I took my graduate design studies, away from the tangible product.

There's a myriad to 'behind the scenes' activities that I'm sure use the same attention to detail that goes into designing the actual product. There's also the commercial side of the business. Unfortunately I don't know who or where to look for such an opportunity. Good luck!

 

I work in the auto industry for a major manufacturer (some of you would contend I work for the “enemy” but so be it). More importantly, I have about 26 years of working in the business world after eight years active duty (USN). I hold two bachelor degrees, one advanced degree and I’m currently working on another Masters. Ok…enough about me. My point is that I have some experience from which to speak.

There is nothing wrong with having a job, any job, even if it isn’t your favorite one or you ultimate goal. Besides, a person’s ultimate goal tends to change as he moves through life…what was of great importance when you are 20 is not even a blip on your radar screen when you are 50.

With any job you have, show up at least 15 minutes early and stay at least 15 minutes most days and you’ll already be head and shoulders above most of the workforce. That said, don’t spend your life at work no matter how much you love it.

Find what you love to do (not just what industry you want to be part of) and become the best you can be at doing it. If you truly don’t know what you might want to do yet; that’s Ok. Get a general degree…there is nothing wrong with a good liberal arts education no matter what you might end up doing later.

Finally, auto manufacturing has thousands of career paths and different disciplines and needs…engineering (of many kinds), accounting, finance, supply chain management, purchasing, transportation…I could go on and on. My point is the best way to get into the auto industry (or any other) is to be good as something - if what you are good at is a skill they need then you have a good shot.

Also keep in mind that you need to be flexible about where you live/work. I don’t know all of GM’s locations but you may find work in Arizona before you will in Detroit; for that matter, they may need you in the UK or somewhere else…if you are willing and able to relocate you’ll stand a better chance of getting hired and of advancing.

I love cars…I’ve always loved cars…I love everything about them. However, I landed this job (and it is something of a dream job) because I am very good at what I do. That may not be the only way to get into the “industry” but it’s the best way I know.

One more word of caution; although it won’t always be this way, many jobs today are/will be outsourced to either outside companies or offshore. Functions that are not “core” activities to an automaker (such as HR, Payables, Receivables, IS, call centers, etc) are targets for outsourcing so you may want to concentrate on those areas/jobs that are part of the core activities.

Well…that’s all I can think of at the moment…hope that helps some and feel free to ask any questions. If there is one thing I’m an expert in it’s my own opinion!

 

TTT

I appreciate all of the input so far…..

Anyone else?

 

I'm also one of the many people who would love to work for GM (engineering). And I will throw one piece of advice out there that I was unable to take for myself: Go to Michigan. I know you said you were looking for a school in Texas to get your MBA from and you may be in a similair situation to me where you can't use this advice, but go to Michigan. I don't think U of Mich and Michigan State are that much better than the schools in Texas (I'm a big fan of both A&M and Texas Tech) but I think being in Michigan probably increases your chances by 75% right off the bat. This is just my observation from meeting people and talking to people in the auto industry. A lot of people get jobs in the auto industry from outside of Michigan but a lot more get them from inside.

 

Well, there's 2 other options other than above. BTW shooting off resumes is not a productive endeavor for entry level positions. These are reserved for interns and direct campus recruits(see below)

1) Direct campus recruiting days. It's probably a little late being almost May, but usually the tech/auto/engineering corps send a recruiting team to the engineering schools of most major universities... and even A&M Find out when and stroll over there and talk to GM personnel reps direct. But likely over for this year. This is the main route of entry for graduating students to enter a field.

2) Have a personal contact who can get you in.

 

Also, It's good to pickup a copy of Automotive News once in awhile and peruse the back (classified) section to see who's hiring. These typically aren't entry level positions, but you at least can get an idea who's hiring...