Aspiring Motorsports Engineer: Advice on Career, Projects, and Next Steps

Hi everyone,

I'm a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student in the US and I'm very passionate about aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics, especially their application in motorsports. I want to work as an engineer- ideally in aero- in motorsports. Working in F1 or endurance racing is my dream, but I'm open to anything where there is aero development. I'm trying to plan my path early to make sure I can get the experience and the skillset to stand out when I apply to internships or jobs.

Here's where I'm at right now:

I'm reapplying to my university's FSAE team, waitlisted last year :( , and Baja SAE team for aero or vehicle dynamic roles. I'm planning on pursuing a Master's in Aerospace or Motorsports engineering, but I'm still unsure where I should go to study. Also I have started learning Ansys Fluent and adjoint optimization this past semester and I'm planning on doing a summer CFD project using Ansys Fluent to create and optimize a rear wing (hoping it helps for my resume).

I'd really appreciate any advice, feedback, or personal experiences y'all can share, especially from anyone that has taken a similar role. Here are a few questions I have:

• What tools/skills should I prioritize learning?
• What types of projects should I consider doing to help me stand out?
• Is FSAE absolutely necessary to break into motorsports? Is it strong enough on its own or should I also do other independent aero/vehicle dynamics projects?
• Any books, courses or online resources that you'd recommend to get deeper into motorsports aero?
• What helped you(or someone you know) get a motorsports job?
• Are there any teams, suppliers, or series (in the US or internationally) that are more open to early career engineers or students ?
• How important is graduate school, and are there any you would recommend (US or abroad)?

Thank you so much to anyone that reads or responds! Any feedback, tips, or stories would mean a lot to me.