How Your Learning Style and Current Hobbies Can Indicate a Successful Career in Automotive
Have you ever wondered if your love for tinkering or your knack for solving puzzles could translate into a career in automotive or motorsports? Many women and girls have the potential to excel in these fields, and it all starts with recognising the skills you already possess.
In this blog, we’ll explore how certain hobbies, interests, and learning styles can indicate a natural aptitude for a career in the automotive and motorsport industry.
Learning Styles and Their Relevance
Understanding Learning Styles:
Different people absorb and process information in various ways. Understanding your learning style can indicate which careers suit you best. While you may not fit neatly into one learning style category, recognising your dominant one can help you choose a career path that aligns with your natural inclinations. Here are some common learning styles:
Visual Learning: Prefer images, diagrams, charts, and visual representations.
Auditory/Aural Learning: Absorb information best through listening and hearing.
Reading/Writing (Verbal) Learning: Prefer written words, both reading and writing them.
Kinaesthetic Learning: Learn best through hands-on experiences and physical activities.
Logical/Analytical Learning: Use logic, reasoning, and analytical skills.
Social/Interpersonal Learning: Thrive in group settings and learn best through interaction.
Solitary/Intrapersonal Learning: Prefer to study alone and engage in self-reflection.
Nature Learning: Excel when in contact with nature and outdoor environments.
Kinaesthetic Learning in Automotive and Motorsports
If you love getting your hands dirty and thrive on understanding how things work by taking them apart, and putting them back together, a career in automotive engineering or as a mechanic may be perfect for you, as it’s more than likely you identify as a kinaesthetic learner.
Indicators:
Enjoying DIY projects, building models, or fixing bikes.
Preferring to learn by doing rather than just reading or watching.
Transferable Skills:
- Practical problem-solving
- Mechanical aptitude
- Attention to detail
Characteristics of Kinaesthetic Learners:
- Understand concepts better through hands-on experience.
- Get bored in traditional classroom settings.
- Excel at sports and physical activities.
- Enjoy excursions, incursions and learning outside the classroom.
- Like building things and working with your hands.
- Use hand gestures while speaking.
- Have good hand-eye coordination.
- Remember information better when writing it down.
- Think more clearly when moving around.
Activities for Kinaesthetic Learners:
Here are some examples of hobbies or interests that you may already enjoy if you’re a kinaesthetic learner:
- Sports and athletics
- Archery and target shooting
- Knitting and other crafts
- Arts and crafts
- Coding and tech projects
- Playing musical instruments
- Dance
- Martial arts
- Building and construction
- Outdoor activities
- Cooking and baking
- Gardening
Why Kinaesthetic Learners Excel in Auto:
Hands-on Nature of the Work: Automotive and motorsport careers involve extensive physical interaction with vehicles, tools, and equipment.
Problem-Solving Through Action: These careers often require troubleshooting and problem-solving skills best developed through hands-on experience.
Muscle Memory Development: Automotive work involves repetitive tasks that build muscle memory.
Active Learning Environment: The workshop or garage setting keeps kinesthetic learners engaged.
Immediate Feedback: These careers offer immediate tactile and visual feedback.
Physical Movement: Frequent movement helps kinaesthetic learners maintain focus.
Careers for Kinaesthetic Learners:
Automotive Technician/Diagnostician: Use your hands-on and electronic diagnostic skills to diagnose and repair vehicles.
Mechanic: Work directly with engines and mechanical systems such as brakes, rotating assemblies and suspension components.
Auto Electrician: Focus on the electrical assemblies of vehicles.
Key Skills for Success:
Technical Aptitude: Understanding mechanical and electrical systems.
Problem-Solving Skills: Diagnosing issues and finding effective solutions.
Physical Abilities: Good hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Strength and flexibility.
Attention to Detail: Precision in work to ensure vehicle safety and performance.
Adaptability: Willingness to learn new technologies.
Communication Skills: Explaining technical issues clearly.
Next Steps:
A six month Certificate II Pre-Apprenticeship will allow you opportunity to learn the basics, practice hand-tool use and attend work experience, enabling recognition of prior learning towards Certificate III in Automotive should you decide to commit to an apprenticeship.
It is also a good idea to attend motorsport educational careers events, as well as trades and career expos, which are a great way of interacting with employers and accessing professionals in the industry. Go in prepared with the questions you want answers to.
Attend car shows and motorsport events in your area, reach out to people on social media and start expanding your network of contacts in industry.
Lastly, it is important to note that automotive work is physically demanding. You will need to have prolonged endurance, be strong and be flexible. In order to prepare your body try a combination of pilates or yoga, weight lifting and cardio training.
Seeking expert advice from a qualified nutritionist can help fuel your body for the work you’ll be undertaking. You can watch our free webinar [here] with the @dirtbitkedietitan, Kel Martin for advice relevant to automotive and motorsports.
Other Learning Styles and Relevant Automotive Careers
If, after reading this, you’ve realised that working in a workshop isn’t your ideal path, remember that the automotive and motorsports industries offer a variety of supporting careers. Here are a few examples tailored to different learning styles:
Visual Learners:
If you enjoy drawing, designing, and using visual aids, with design skills, attention to visual details and creativity, try:
Automotive design, aerodynamics engineer, CAD technician.
Auditory Learners:
If you enjoy listening to lectures, podcasts, and engaging in discussions, with effective communication, good listening skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, try:
Motorsport commentator, automotive sales representative, team coordinator.
Logical/Analytical Learners:
If you enjoy solving puzzles, coding, and strategic games, with analytical reasoning, data interpretation, strategic planning, try:
Race engineer, data analyst, mechanical engineer.
Investigate motorsport engineering courses through university, or programs such as Formula1 in Schools.
Social/Interpersonal Learners:
If you enjoy group projects, team sports, and community activities, with strong teamwork, leadership and communication skills, try:
Pit crew member, team manager, motorsport event coordinator.
No matter what your current interests or learning styles are, there’s a place for you in the automotive and motorsports industry. The key is to recognise your existing skills and passions to see how they align with the opportunities in these fields.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Explore educational programs, work experience, and mentorship opportunities that can help you transition from your current hobbies to a successful career in motorsports.
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Bridget Bell is a seasoned motorsport media professional and a skilled mechanic, with over a decade of experience in On-Air Hosting, Event Hosting, Television Presenting and Commentating. Passionate about supporting women in both the industry and motorsport, Bridget volunteers as a mentor and actively champions female representation.
Disclaimer: While due research has been conducted, the views expressed in our articles are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect everyone’s views. If you notice an error, please email quoting the blog article title and an explanation of the error.