Careers in the Automotive Industry

Question

Anyone here familiar with what the car companies look for when they hire an MBA?

I don't have an engineering background, but I'm a big car nut.

I'm sure it depends on exactly  what  the position entails, but in general, do the car companies (GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc) require an engineering background?

RF

refurb · Answer

I found this:  Toyota MBA Intern Program

RF

89nk · Answer

I have an engineering background, and being a car nut. I doubt a post MBA position will require an engineering background. I would think either process or manufacturing experience would be a bigger plus. I would feel that an engineering degree in a business position might get you more props from engineers at Toyota.

refurb · Answer

Thanks 89nk!

I did a bit of looking and it seems that many of the post-MBA positions are focused on finance, supply chain, manufacturing or marketing.

So like you said, it doesn't seem like a engineering degree is a requirement.

However, I assume it is just like every other post-MBA job, work experience within the industry is highly valued.

If you have an engineering degree and have worked in the automotive industry, it's the work experience (and knowledge of the industry) that is highly valuable post-MBA, not necessarily the engineering knowledge itself (which can also be valuable depending on the position).

RF

DK · Answer

https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/for ... ne/20.html BMW makes the list, and Toyota somehow doesn't.

prashok · Answer

I interned in undergrad within a major Japanese automaker's keiretsu (at their global HQ in Japan), and I didn't have an engineering background. That said, most undergrad opportunities still tend to focus on engineering, IT or marketing/sales, and from what I've seen, the MBA opportunities tend to have similar pathways. Of course, there are some MBA pathways that aren't always available to undergrads, such as strategy or finance.

It will also depend on what company we're talking about, as the cultures and locations (and consequently, their hiring patterns) will vary somewhat as well. Some of the import automakers for example, will still dictate corporate strategy mainly from overseas.

spgny · Answer

I would be interested in working for those former tech guys who are making the Tesla....

Careers in the Automotive Industry

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