Kingsley 1

Spence Kingsley
Mr. Fisher
Government/Economics
5/6/14
Automotive Engineer: The Future Ahead
One of todays most argued issues with the United States economy is gas. Why is it so
expensive? Why are we not drilling here in the States? Contrary to these inquiries, the future
points to a vehicle not powered by fossil fuels. Resources like gasoline and oil will not be around
forever, but the desire to drive fast cars, without a doubt, will. The future is bright for the modern
automotive eld. O*Net OnLine projects nearly 100,000 job openings until 2022!
An automotive engineers day can be a bright one. Opportunities in the eld could
include green ones like energy management and emissions control. They could participate in
safety improvement, create algorithms for software development, or work in engine
performance. One could even design the body and hardware, and just hit the drawing board!
The possibilities are actually quite diverse.
The starting level, bare minimum requirement to be an automotive engineer is a
bachelors degree. However, to go further in a career, to make a more enjoyable salary, a next-
level degree, like a masters or PhD is useful. The average starting pay is $60,536, while the
average salary for an experienced automotive engineer is $87,327, according to PayScale.
The average pay for automotive engineers was $80,600 in 2012 according to the
BLS. Those in the 10th percentile averaged $52,000 per year while those in the
25th percentile earned $64,500. Automotive engineers in the 75th percentile
averaged $100,600 per year and those in the 90th percentile earned $121,500
per year annually. (Green)
Kingsley 2
On a list of Michigans top engineering college, Michigan State University is ranked third.
I am very comfortable with the MSU campus and the pricing is reasonable, so that is where I
would like to pursue an education. My rst choice for graduate program would be Oakland
University as it is ranked very high in Michigans top engineering colleges. A breakdown of costs
of an education is as follows:

Bachelors Degree:
Cost Per Credit Hour $428.75
Tuition & Fees- $12,908 for two semesters (15 credits/semester)
Room & Board- $8,856 for two semesters
Personal Expenses- $1,500 for two semesters
Total (Over Four Years) $88,556
Masters Degree
Cost per credit hour $617.50
Cost of 30 credit hours $18,525
Total $18,525
Total Cost of Bachelors & Masters Degrees
Total $107,081
The eld of being of help to building, in some way, a newer, better way of transportation
is exciting for me. Every kids jaw drops when they see the new 2015 Lamborghini, but I am
always drawn to the concept of helping design a new super car. Also, the age of expensive
gasoline and other fossil fuels has always outraged me and I would love to work on an
alternative. They say follow your dreams, not money, but if you know me, youll know that I will
always be chasing the cash. Obviously, a career in engineering is a well off, nancially lifestyle.
So, in my views, automotive engineering is the perfect career.
Kingsley 3

Works Cited
Summary Report for: 17-2141.02 - Automotive Engineer. O*Net OnLine. 2013. Web. 7 May
2014.
Automotive Engineer Salary (United States). PayScale. Web. 8 May 2014.
"Resident Tuition, Fee, Tax And Housing Rates To Be Effective Fall Semester 2013 and Spring
Semester 2014. Michigan State University. Web. 11 May 2014
Estimated Costs of 2013-14. Michigan State University. Web. 8 May 2014.