Beginning a career in the automotive industry can be an extremely rewarding decision. Many car enthusiasts dream of being able to spend most of their days working with a variety of different cars and getting paid to do so. For a lot of automotive job owners, this career path fulfills many of the professional aspirations that they seek.

With that said, it’s important to assess yourself and decide if this is REALLY what you want. A lot of things change when you turn your hobby into a career and it’s good to have an honest conversation with yourself in terms of what you need. Does this sound like you? If so, here are a few things to ask yourself before pursuing an automotive career.

What Kind of Job Do I Want?

An amazing thing about the automotive industry is that there is a wide variety of jobs available to you. Maybe you’re a more hands-on person and want to become an Automotive Technician. Or maybe you have a passion for education and want to express your love of cars in the form of an Automotive Instructor.

Take some time to learn about your professional talents. Once you do, start researching on what’s available. We’re certain you’ll be able to find a position that compliments your skills.

What Kind of Education/Experience Do I Need?

As with any job, positions require that you have some sort of educational background or job experience. Once you determine what kind of job you want, look up the requirements. Some positions, like a Car Rental Agent, may not require any educational degree and only some related job experience. Other positions, like an Automotive Engineer, will require prospects to have a four-year degree in that field or something related to it (in this case, mechanical engineering).

Understand what your desired position needs from you and take the appropriate steps to earn them. Maybe that means going back to school or accepting an entry-level job elsewhere. It may not be what you want but those steps are crucial if you want to land that desired position, or maybe something better, in the future.

How Much Do I Love Cars?

This is a BIG one. We’ve all heard of that one person who decided to follow their passion for a hobby, only to return to their old job or do something else a little while later. Considering that your professional life will revolve around this, it’s important to honestly ask yourself if this is what you want.

If you’re curious but don’t want to fully commit, ask if you can shadow someone with the position you want or find an internship. These options provide you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the lifestyle without committing to a full-time job. If you have any reservations about it all during the process, it may be best to reconsider your options.

A career in the automotive industry can be just the decision that sparks your fire, but it’s important to ask yourself the tough questions before you commit. We hope these questions are just the beginning of an internal dialogue as you determine if this industry is right for you!