MSc Automotive Engineering or MSc Motorsport Engineering?

[daniellammers]

Considering I want a job as a data/race/performance engineer.

What careerpath is recommended?

(Don't know where to ask this, correct me if I'm wrong)

[QLDriver]

Others may disagree, but based on my experience in the Materials Science/Testing field, you're not going to be judged on which specific course you take, but whether you're good at it. I know that sounds trite (it is!), but the thing is, when you finish university, your specific degree isn't going to be what impresses someone (much of the information you learn at university won't be specifically relevant to the work you'll do in the field), but what impresses people is if you can think critically and creatively, and demonstrate that.

[Just_a_fan]

Also bear in mind that there are lots of automotive engineering jobs, not many motorsport engineering jobs. Getting a top result in the automotive course will help you in both fields because a motorsport team will see a bright person either way.

You might need/want an automotive job before you get to motorsport. An automotive employer might consider a motorsport course too specialist, especially if lots of other applicants have generic qualifications.

[daniellammers]

Others may disagree, but based on my experience in the Materials Science/Testing field, you're not going to be judged on which specific course you take, but whether you're good at it. I know that sounds trite (it is!), but the thing is, when you finish university, your specific degree isn't going to be what impresses someone (much of the information you learn at university won't be specifically relevant to the work you'll do in the field), but what impresses people is if you can think critically and creatively, and demonstrate that.

I can see why, but if you don't have the degrees, the less chance you have to get the job, isn't it?

[daniellammers]

Also bear in mind that there are lots of automotive engineering jobs, not many motorsport engineering jobs. Getting a top result in the automotive course will help you in both fields because a motorsport team will see a bright person either way.

You might need/want an automotive job before you get to motorsport. An automotive employer might consider a motorsport course too specialist, especially if lots of other applicants have generic qualifications.

The first part is what I figured out myself already, if motorsport doesn't work out, you can always fall back at the automotive part.

[QLDriver]

I can see why, but if you don't have the degrees, the less chance you have to get the job, isn't it?

What I mean is that if you get an engineering degree, you don't have to be limited to that specific area of engineering. I know many engineers who work in different sectors to that in which they are qualified.

[Jersey Tom]

Neither. Go straight into the workforce. A year of real experience is vastly more valuable than a year or so of extra classroom time.

[mep]

If you want to work as data/race/performance engineer then the answer is obvious, you would go for a MSc in Motorsport Engineering. Spending an additional year in university means you can gain more knowledge from various different fields. However, it will not automatically guarantee you to be successful in finding a job. What is most important is that you gain some experience. If you spent a bit more time at university, then you have to use this time to do some internship or free work in motorsport. This will make the main difference about what job you will get later.

Getting a top result in the automotive course will help you in both fields because a motorsport team will see a bright person either way.

The hard reality is that motorsport teams, even in F1 don’t necessarily choose the brightest people. They take somebody who does the job. Note Jersey Toms comment: Why learning more? Just do the work and don’t question it.

You might need/want an automotive job before you get to motorsport. An automotive employer might consider a motorsport course too specialist, especially if lots of other applicants have generic qualifications.

The usual path goes like this: you spent a couple of years in motorsport and then “retire” in automotive or something else. The other way around seems much more difficult and I have not meet anybody yet doing it. I guess motorsport teams don’t want to hire anybody who has done many years in automotive without any motorsport involvement.

[Jersey Tom]

Note Jersey Toms comment: Why learning more? Just do the work and don’t question it.

The point was more along the lines that you can learn more when you get into the industry, than you would in the extra classroom time.