Katie Mcky

 

 

CAREERS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

 

Automobiles have always been dream machines, delivering freedom and speed. In 2009, the automotive sector sputtered with the rest of the economy, due to the recession, but since then, vehicle sales are increasing year by year, leading to hiring and advancement opportunities within the companies that comprise this sector. Of course, there’s the huge perk of developing and manufacturing the dream machines that so many love.

 

EMBRACING THE TEAM EFFORT AT TRW AUTOMOTIVE

Jeff Carroll, senior purchasing manager for Global Slip Control at TRW Automotive Holdings Corp, can never forget the importance of his work. “My wife and kids drive vehicles with anti-lock brakes that TRW makes,” he notes When your work comes that close to home…and to everyone else’s home, it demands all due diligence. We take our work very seriously,” Carroll says. “My job is demanding. Quality systems are that way. You have to control costs, but you have to maintain the quality. If the quality isn’t top notch, you’re putting people’s lives in danger.”

 

Carroll likes the pressure, however.

 

“I like the fast pace and stress,” he says. “I started in accounting and finance in college and then went into the Marines in supply and just loved that. I feel I was born to make the quick decisions. I loved that in the Marines and that continues today.”

 

Carroll also loves the collaboration and opportunities at TRW.

 

“TRW really empowers its employees with cross functional teams,” he says. “The workers run the teams. You have an incredible ability to grow. There are no limits here. You don’t get locked into roles. They are always giving me opportunities. All the doors are open here. At TRW, you have to be a team player – and work individually. We have so many cross-functional teams, so you have to be very flexible. You might be in Germany one week and Mexico the next, which is exciting. You have to adapt and make quick, decisive decisions.”

 

One of 66,000 employees in 25 countries, Carroll also loves TRW’s global diversity.

 

“I was sitting in a meeting the other day and I looked around and saw people from all the world,” he notes. “I’m a 40-year old black man, the director was from England, a lady from China was beside me, a man from Venezuela was there, and a man from India. I told my wife later that day, ‘What a great company TRW is that we can all work together.’”

 

The diverse workforce produces a diverse portfolio, ranging from integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems to braking systems to steering systems to suspension systems to much more. Carroll’s role is to manage the procurement of the all the material involved in making a slip control assembly.

 

If you’d like a role in the automotive sector or at TRW one day, Carroll has some advice for you.

 

“Don’t limit yourself,” he says. “Don’t think of a particular role you’ll have one day. Also, don’t play the victim. Work harder when doors close. Make your education as broad as possible. Don’t think that you’ll prepare for a singular slot. You’ll have many roles. One of the best things I’ve learned is you have to read. Read about leadership. You have to continue your learning and growing. Continue reading beyond college. Continue your education even when you’ve stopped going to classes. Also, read about the company where you want to work.”

 

Carroll believes that adversity can make one stronger.

 

“A lot of us at TRW lived through the scary time when the economy crashed in 2008-2009,” he remarks. “We had to make tough decisions, make cuts in all areas, and pick up extra workloads. You had to be strong. The people who survived are successful today. We sacrificed for the good of the company. We just had to keep pushing ahead. We learned to depend upon each other more.”

 

Carroll enjoys the camaraderie and collegiality that came out of the trial by recession whenever he walks down the hall and looks ahead to further opportunities.

 

“TRW provides an avenue for everyone at every level to grow and excel,” he says. “People want you to succeed. They really look after your development. TRW has a great LEAD program, which is a leadership program. I meet with directors and VPs from all avenues of the company. I’ve been here 18 years and VPs walk by and say, ‘Hey, Jeff. How ya doin’?’ There’s always room for hardworking people here.”

 

MASTERING THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT AUDI

Gus Batista, area after-sales manager for Audi of America, Inc. in South Florida, has that fun in the sun Florida attitude. “Make sure your work is something you enjoy doing and have fun doing,” he says.

 

Batista has found that fun working for Audi. “Audi delivers a great work-life balance, opportunity for advancement, and the freedom to act an entrepreneur with my thoughts and ideas designed to achieve objectives and deliver business results,” he acknowledges.

 

Freedom, Batista believes, includes freedom to take risks and make mistakes, as long as learning is consequent. “Always be willing to listen and learn and don’t be afraid to express your ideas,” he says. “Learn from your mistakes, but don’t be afraid to fail.”

 

Batista embodied his advice early in his career.

 

“A difficult time was during the early stages of my career when I was tasked to provide consulting services to my local dealership,” he recalls. “Being a young college grad with little experience in the retail world, I was not taken seriously by some of the dealership management, but I welcomed the challenge with open arms. I did a lot of listening, asked questions, and studied how my senior colleagues did business. In time, I earned the respect of dealership personnel and proved that I could bring a different type of experience to day-to-day business operations, which includes building trustworthy relationships.”

 

Hanging strong has kept Batista with a strong company. “I’m part of a global German premium powerhouse with an amazing growth plan,” he says. “ I’m amazed at how much Audi brand awareness, favorable opinion, consideration (yes, Audi has official measurements), and market share has increased in the U.S. and world in such short time.”

 

If you’d like to become his colleague one day, Batista offers some insight into the attributes that engender success at Audi.

 

“I believe Audi is looking for individuals who are honest and trustworthy,” he says. “Persistence is also key: always keep trying, never give up. You need to be people-oriented, too, which means understanding how to deal with different personalities. Progressive thinking is also essential, as you must always be willing to learn, adapt, and accept new ideas. Lastly, Audi needs good communicators; you must be able to persuasively present ideas and thoughts.”

 

Communication is key for Batista given his role.

 

“On behalf of Audi of America, I lead South Florida dealership parts and service operations to excellence in customer satisfaction, efficiency, and profitability,” he says.

 

It also helps to have a passion for the product, which Batista does. “I enjoy automobiles,” he says. “Every day is a different challenge and opportunity.”

 

SAVORING THE FAST PACE AT AAM

Eric Andrews, product engineer at AAM, loves his career in the automotive sector. “I would definitely recommend a career in manufacturing,” he says. “It’s global. It’s fast paced. It’s challenging. Manufacturing careers offer real opportunities that transport people around the world, put men on Mars, and help create a better quality of life. Manufacturing helps make America strong.”

 

Whereas Andrews loves his career today, he came to the auto industry with a little trepidation.

 

“Entering the auto industry was scary, as I began to doubt if I had the complete skill set to hit the ground running,” he says. “When starting a career, be humble and open enough to learn every day. Learn the people, learn the job, learn your company, and learn your industry. Ask questions and ask a lot of them. I shadowed a fellow associate for the first year on the job, and it was an amazing experience.”

 

One of 12,500 employees in more than 30 locations, Andrews works on a heavy-duty rear-axle program for a major North American automaker and is proud that AAM is headquartered in Detroit.

 

“I am proud to work for a leading tier-one automotive supplier head-quartered in the heart of the Motor City,” he comments. “This business is contributing to the success of Detroit, my hometown. The auto industry is on the upswing and more jobs and opportunities are coming back to this city. I like the idea that future engineers may have the same chance to make it here, just like I did.”

 

Andrews attributes AAM’s success to his colleagues.

 

“The AAM team is filled with associates that are self motivated and team oriented,” he points out. “AAM looks for associates who have integrity and who are willing to do what is takes to be the most sought after driveline system integrator in the world.”

 

How do you acquire what it takes to work at AAM?

 

“Try to get as many internships as possible under your belt,” Andrews advises. “Do not wait until your senior year. It is not uncommon for students to have three or four internships these days. These students also have the resumes that rise to the top.”

 

If your resume rises to the top, you’ll find AAM reaches around the world.

 

“Since graduating from college just two years ago and joining AAM, I have had the opportunity to travel abroad multiple times to AAM facilities,” Andrews acknowledges. “It is a great experience to meet team members in other countries manufacturing the products that I have helped to engineer. AAM also offers its associates tuition reimbursement to continue their education.”

 

It was education that led Andrews to the automotive sector.

 

“I have always liked math and I have always been intrigued by technology,” he says. “I was fortunate to go to a high school that helped steer the students who excelled in math and science into the proper curriculum. Now, here I am with a budding automotive career, and loving it.”

 

GROWING A CAREER AT NISSAN

Transito Macias James, manager, Trim & Chassis Manufacturing Quality, works at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant, which employees 5,000 people. Given the size of this single plant, you might make the mistake of assuming Nissan is a slow moving behemoth, but it’s an agile company. Its agility affords opportunities to its employees.

 

“At our core, Nissan is innovative,” says James. “We are a very agile and forward-thinking organization that adapts to change quickly. There is a lot of flexibility and room to grow in each role – if I can find a way to contribute to a better product for our customers, Nissan gives me the space to do just that. No one has to worry about a stagnant career path.”

 

Two solid embodiments of its agile innovation are two completely redesigned vehicles, whose launching is a little like a roller coaster, both exciting and scary.

 

“There is a fine line between scary and exciting,” James remarks. “Our plant is launching two completely redesigned vehicles in the next 12 months: the Murano and the Titan. The expectations for each launch are higher than ever, and we have to make sure that all systems are running smoothly ahead of the launches. It is intense, but if it wasn’t, it would be boring.”

 

James enjoys the challenges and the camaraderie at Nissan.

 

“At its core, manufacturing is a fast-paced, team sport,” she says. “I love the competition, and I love being on a team. There is instant gratification when we break a daily production record or exceed quality targets for the first time. We have long-term strategies that seem impossible at conception, but they all become reality over the course of several years.”

 

If you too like a fast pace and collaboration, James has some advice for you.

 

“Nissan is looking for intelligent and creative risk-takers who set high expectations for themselves and the people around them: people who will challenge the status quo and find smarter, more efficient ways to do business,” she says.

 

Undecided about a career? James has additional advice.

 

“Find something you can be passionate about in your career and commit to being really, really good at it,” says James. “I’m a big nerd, so for me, it is problem solving. I just like to fix things. The game-changers at Nissan are wildly passionate about what they do: from alignment and air-conditioning systems to manpower, logistics, training and diversity. They have naturally evolved into subject matter experts and innovators because they are working on something that they get excited about.”

 

James has myriad reasons to stay excited about her career.

 

“It’s fun to work here,” she admits. “We are developing tomorrow’s technology with autonomous drive vehicles (no driver required!) and the all-electric Nissan LEAF; I work with people on every continent except Antarctica; I have seen vehicles months before they are released at an auto show, and every now and then I get to drive a Nissan GT-R for the weekend! We build products that we are proud of and excited about. We want our customers to feel that pride and excitement every time the push start button.”