When it comes to the automotive industry, there are certainly a wide range of jobs available to be had. These jobs appeal to people of many different interests, so you should be able to find something suitable you like (if you’re interested). In this field, with the right training, you can advance to higher positions relatively easily. Here is a look at different career opportunities that await in the automotive industry. Automotive technician: These technicians are responsible for performing various tasks such as changing oil, replacing air filters, and balancing wheels. There are also plenty of other maintenance tasks technicians have to perform such as changing brake pads and doing tune-ups. If you're looking to join the automotive industry, you could also become a car mechanic, which is a level or two up on the ladder from the technician. Many people confuse mechanics with automotive technicians. Mechanics are responsible for performing many of the same tasks as technicians. However, mechanics also perform more difficult tasks than a technician. These tasks include things such as replacing engines, alternators, or fixing suspension and electrical problems. In order to become a mechanic, you will also need more education and experience. Becoming a diesel mechanic is also an great option in automotive industry. These guys are responsible for repairing and servicing diesel engines. Although this includes a few passenger vehicles, you would likely have most of your focus on buses and trucks. This corresponds to a hefty increase in wages. The average yearly salary of a diesel mechanic is $50,000. If you enjoy communicating with people rather, becoming a car salesperson may be the perfect career with you. You would spend the majority if your day trying to sell cars to people who visited the car lot. Your salary would be based on the amount of commissions you earn. You can also work your way up the ladder into a management position as you gain experience. In the current economy this job isn’t as lucrative as before, but top salespeople in relatively wealthy areas still make an attractive living ($75,000+ per year) Similar to a floor salesperson is the internet sales manager. Instead of working with people who visited the car lot, you would work with leads received from the internet. Some of these leads come in direct due to the dealer’s website advertising, others come in from affiliated websites who work with you to sell cars. One example of a site like this is the Internet Autoguide. Whenever you get these internet leads like this, you would have to make an appointment to try to get the person into the dealership to buy a car. This is one of the best paying and most sought-after positions in auto sales. The top-producing and most quick-witted sales staff advance to this position. If you’re more of an artistic person, another option is automobile design. As its name suggests, you would be tasked with coming up for new car designs. This career is definitely in high demand thanks to the fact trends are constantly changing in the car industry. However, you will need plenty of education in order to begin a career as a designer, and your first employment and first projects won’t be designing cars. A career opportunity in the automotive industry that is expanding is a body and paint specialist. As one of these specialists, you would have to repair damage that resulted from a car accident of some kind. You would have to fix the exterior of the car and then restore the paint job as well. Thanks to the fact there are plenty of car accidents around the country, this position is in high-demand. Another option is to get a job on the assembly line. Getting your foot in is not easy, but it’s easier than before. You could join an assembly line that focuses on making cars, or even a line that simply makes certain parts that go in the cars. Nowadays, most assembly line positions require some knowledge about computers and robotic manufacturing. More of a money person? Finance and insurance department of a car dealership are a good opportunity. People looking to buy a new car will need financing and insurance in order to get it. You would have to work with sales staff, management and lenders (and of course the customer) to do your job. After you gain experience in this department, the top role to achieve within the dealership is Finance Manager. You would oversee all financing and monetary inflows and concessions of the dealership on all car sales/leases and purchases. You would have to ensure the dealership makes a fair amount of money whenever people buy a car. As you can see, there are certainly a lot of positions available in this industry. You should be able to find something that suits your interests easily if you have the required education and experience, or in some fields just getting your foot in the door at the right time. Career opportunities automotive industry image from Shutterstock
