This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
In the almost 200 years since a Hungarian priest first used electricity to power a small car, electric vehicles have cruised in and out of style, but never before has there been such widespread interest in this booming industry. From environmental concerns to the rising cost of gas, consumers worldwide are buying more electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before, leading to a breadth of new careers in this innovative and fast-growing green industry.
Get Into Electric Vehicles, hosted by Scottsdale Community College (SCC), offers attendees the chance to connect with industry-leading experts, get hands-on with various exciting EVs, and learn about the many opportunities available for engineers, scientists, marketers, designers, and more. The event will be held on Feb. 16, from 3pm to 5pm.
“Jobs in the electric vehicles industry show great potential for new employment opportunities, and employment is expected to grow in all of the major sectors of the industry,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Positions include chemical, electrical, material, and mechanical engineers; software developers; commercial and industrial designers; technical positions in manufacturing and maintenance; infrastructure positions for urban and regional planners; and industry-supportive positions such as marketing, management, sales, and media. Whatever a student’s area of focus, the EV industry represents an exciting source of opportunity.
The event starts up with a Q&A session with a panel of industry experts:
- Peter Gruber, CEO of Gruber Motors, the first commercial independent Tesla service organization providing engineering and aftermarket support.
- Tudor Melville, CEO Suntech Circuits, a company that manufactures printed circuit boards that are essential to EV operation.
- John Martinson, President of the Scottsdale Electric Vehicle Association, who has been driving and promoting the value of EVs for over 20 years.
- Kathy Knoop, Manager of Vehicle Grid Integration Solutions for General Motors, is an expert in managing the balance of available plug-in stations and other essential infrastructure with its impact on electrical grid systems.
- Baily Soto, a Curriculum Specialist at Legacy EV who has been instrumental in establishing multiple Career and Technical Education Programs in public schools in the US, has played an integral role in teaching, curriculum design, and coaching teachers.
Attendees will have the chance to network with these key stakeholders in the EV boom and gain valuable insights into the present and future of the industry. They will also receive a free year’s membership in the Scottsdale Electric Vehicle Association (the fastest-growing chapter in the country) to further network, learn, and explore these expanding opportunities.
After the panel, the EV Car Show begins. Nearly a dozen unique EVs and their owners offer attendees the chance to get up close and personal with these exciting, high-tech machines and to hear directly from the drivers who know them inside and out. Vehicles include:
- 1972 El Camino EV Conversion
- Rivian R1T Adventure Vehicle
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model S Performance
- Tesla Original Roadster
- Kia EV6
- Chevy Bolt EUV
Whether it’s a career in STEM, design, marketing, business, communication, supply chain management, or any other field from which the EV industry draws power, Get Into Electric Vehicles offers a hands-on look at these new supercharged jobs. Click here to learn more and register.
Learn about the many STEM degree and certificate programs at SCC.