For Chris Archambo, attending the North American International Auto Show as a college student allows him to enter the big leagues early.
Next week, the computer engineering senior will be on same floor, same level, talking about the same automotive interests and networking with some of the biggest names in the auto industry.
While some of the auto industry’s biggest names will be showing off their Mustangs and Ferraris, Archambo said he also is looking forward to showing off his best with about 20 other members of the MSU Formula Racing Team.
The show to the public Saturday.
This is the sixth year team members will be at the show to display a few of their previous formula-type cars.
The formula-type cars are essentially beefed-up go-carts that can reach speeds of about 80 mph, he said.
“It really puts us right there, and we are actually able to see all of the automotive companies,” said Archambo, the team’s captain. “A lot of the people in the industry have formula experience, and we are right in the place to be (for) potential sponsorship and even for hiring us.”
As 2012 first quarter numbers from the U.S. Department of Commerce reflect a rebound in the industry since its downturn in 2008 and 2009, the job market is looking up for perspective students, economics professor Kenneth Boyer said.
Because people have not been buying as many vehicles in the past few years, Boyer said the ones on the road are of the oldest-average age ever.
There is a “pent-up demand” for vehicles in the U.S., which is making people positive that vehicle sales will be on the rise during the next couple of years, he said.
“Ford has been hiring engineers,” Boyer said, adding those types of jobs require more education. “They are hiring now, whereas they hadn’t been for the last couple of years for that sort of job.”
Archambo said the industry’s advances have made sponsors more receptive to supporting the MSU Formula Racing Team, the team’s only source of income.
This year, the team has about 100 sponsors, he said.
Flynn and Archambo agreed their participation on the team is giving them real-world experience, helpful when it comes to finding work after graduation.
“I have four years of experience going into the auto industry,” Archambo said. “What I’m doing on the formula team is what I’ll be doing on my job. So, I figure I might as well keep plugging away.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
