Automotive Engineers Are Happy With Their Career Choice, According to SAE Survey

22 November 2000
Automotive Engineers Are Happy With Their Career Choice, According to SAE Survey
    WARRENDALE, Pa., Nov. 22 A new survey commissioned by the
Public Relations Committee of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE
International) reveals that nine in ten automotive engineers are satisfied
with their current jobs.  If fact, when asked if they would change their
careers if given a chance to start over, 90 percent stated that they would
choose automotive engineering as their profession, again.
    The survey, entitled "Automotive Engineers in the Internet Age", was
completed in October 2000 and was conducted by phone by MORPACE International,
Inc., a leading market research and consulting firm.  It consisted of
responses provided by 150 automotive engineers, randomly selected, nationwide.
    Currently, there is a heavy demand for competent engineers across all
related disciplines.  Much of this has been attributed to the surge of hi-tech
and computer related companies known as "the dotcoms".  Not surprisingly, more
than half of the engineers surveyed revealed that they have been approached by
outside firms regarding employment opportunities.
    Despite this, more than half of all engineers surveyed see themselves
staying with their current employer at least five or more years.  The survey
indicates that the overall satisfaction of automotive engineers is also
consistent regardless of tenure.  The level of satisfaction among engineers
surveyed with less than the average professional experience (12.3 years)
appears only slightly higher than that of their senior colleagues.
    Although apparently happy in their jobs, the high-tech industries do hold
an interest for automotive engineers.  When asked which high-tech industries
they find appealing in the context of new job opportunities, 42-48 percent
chose computers, electronics, and telecommunications.  Again, this is not
surprising in light of the rapid and predicted growth of applied electronics
and telematics in automobiles.
    The survey concludes that automotive engineers are highly satisfied with
their profession and that the automotive engineering community remains robust
and full of opportunities for current and future practitioners.
    For questions, or for more details on the survey, contact SAE at
724-772-8516 or by email at davids@sae.org.