Automotive Aftermarket Analysis free essay sample

The automotive aftermarket is a large contributor to the U. S. economy employing nearly 4. 6 million people. New replacement automotive parts such as alternators, brakes, lights, bumpers, fenders, and so on, are parts referred to as â€Å"aftermarket† or â€Å"functionally equivalent† parts when made by a company other than the original car manufacturer (Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, and others). This industry sells automotive parts and other products used to maintain or repair light and heavy duty vehicles. Products are sold both to consumers who repair or accessorize their own vehicles, the â€Å"do it yourselfers† (DIY) and to professional service stations or installers like gas stations, auto repair shops and service departments which are the â€Å"do it for me† (DIFM) providers. Dominant Economic Features Nearly 45,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $135 billion define the wholesale and retail automotive parts industry. Top companies include Genuine Parts/NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, CSK Auto, and Pep Boys, all with annual sales over billion. We will write a custom essay sample on Automotive Aftermarket Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The top 25 wholesalers and top 40 retailers each have annual sales over $100 million. Many large firms operate both wholesale distribution centers and retail stores (Hoovers, 2008). During the 2003 -2007 periods, the US automotive aftermarket demonstrated fairly slow but steady rates of growth and is expected to continue over the forthcoming five years (DataMonitor, 2007). As stated by AAIA, â€Å"Overall aftermarket sales increased in 2004 to $257. 0 billion, an increase of 5. 4 percent from 2003. An increasing number of miles driven by an ever-growing vehicle population helped the aftermarket increase in 2004. Sales in the automotive aftermarket (cars and light trucks) totaled $190. billion and sales in the heavy duty vehicle aftermarket totaled $66. 5 billion† (AAIA, 2008). Estimated as a $257 billion market in the United States, the aftermarket helps keep vehicles on the road by providing consumers the choice to where they want their vehicles serviced, maintained or customized (AAIA, 2008). As indicated by AAIA, â€Å"The automotive aftermarket is the part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles† (AAIA, 2008). Porter’s Five Forces Power of Buyers Aftermarket auto parts retailers are prevalent throughout the country. In most cases the power of buyers is directly proportional to the availability of options given the buyer. Buyers can choose products based on price, brand and retailer assuming the retailers are readily available. Retailers can empower buyers by choosing store locations in proximity to competitors. By being readily available to buyers, aftermarket auto parts retailers such as Advance Auto and AutoZone give buyers the power to choose their store. Conversely the buyer’s power is less when there are limited options available or if the market has not been tapped and choices are limited. Both AutoZone and Advance Auto spend a great amount of money in building their brands and developing customer loyalty. This is a direct result of the buyer’s power to choose between these retailers and others. While buyers may have power in choosing retailer or brand they have little power to drive down prices in the aftermarket auto parts industry. Advance Auto and AutoZone both market to a large number of relatively small buyers. Neither company has large buyers that are significant enough to their businesses to drive prices down. Although single buyers do not influence the market and affect prices, buyers are able to be price sensitive as there is little product differentiation between sellers. Without product differentiation these price sensitive buyers put pressure on Advance Auto and AutoZone to lower prices to remain competitive. The lowering of prices and increased competition in trying to â€Å"win† customers cuts directly into the profits of these retailers. Proprietary information has decreased the power of buyers as well as the power of sellers in the aftermarket automotive industry. As the automotive industry becomes more advanced with the use of computers and special tools the independent repair shops and consumer are losing the ability to make repairs and replace parts. The information needed to work with the computers and special tools is held by these specialty manufacturers. They continue to withhold any information in an effort to capitalize not only on the sale of an automobile but also the repair. This disadvantage which is created by the automobile manufacturers is being fought on Capitol Hill. The â€Å"Right to Repair† act has been gaining support in an effort to make this proprietary information public and give the consumer the opportunity to purchase these items in a competitive market. Power of Suppliers Large suppliers like Delphi, Johnson Controls and Visteon, and many thousands of smaller suppliers and manufacturers make parts for auto companies under new vehicle programs and also make replacement parts specifically for the aftermarket retailers and wholesalers. A wholesaler/retailer typically buys from 200 to 300 vendors. Production programs for new cars typically include 5 to 10 percent of production that goes to the aftermarket. Long-term supply contracts are rare, and in most cases, several suppliers are available for any particular product (Hoovers, 2008). Key inputs to the automotive aftermarket include various materials such as metals, plastics and equipment for the manufacturing process. Steel and aluminum prices have increased over the past few years and ongoing consolidation in the steel industry may lead to further price rises. Price increases are passed along from the steel industry to the aftermarket manufacturer, from the aftermarket manufacturer to the retail company and finally on to the end consumer. Raw material prices are also increasing and therefore will also negatively affect aftermarket manufacturers and retailers like Auto Zone and Advance Auto profits. Some suppliers are large companies such as steel manufacturers and they supply to a wide range of industries; thus brake manufacturers are not vital to their success in the market, strengthening supplier power. The quality of the product is crucial to the success of the brake aftermarket, particularly with brake components as they are integral to the safety of automotive vehicles (DataMonitor, 2007). According to DataMonitor Industry Research, â€Å"There is little risk of market players backward integrating as suppliers businesses are very different to their own and this would require high capital outlay. Although similarly it is unlikely that suppliers would attempt forward integration here†. Overall supplier power in this industry is strong (DataMonitor, 2007). Threat of New Entrants As more firms attempt to enter an industry, the profits of existing firms will ultimately decrease as well as lower their market share. Therefore, large retailer such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts must find innovative techniques to assure that they can keep new firms at a large disadvantage in competition. However, at present, the threat of new entrants in the automotive aftermarket industry is low to moderate. This was determined by examining criteria relevant to new entry threat as discussed below. New entrants need to operate scale economies to achieve success with the need for extensive distribution networks and efficiency in production to compete against large incumbents. Barriers to entry are therefore fairly high and this combined with slow market growth makes entry to the market problematic (DataMonitor, 2007). Economies of scale are a key factor to the success of new entrants in automotive aftermarket industry. In order for new entrants to earn significant profits they will have to sell large quantities of product, and therefore have to accumulate large amounts of assets to compete in the retail industry. Currently, AutoZone has over 4,000 retail locations and Advance Auto Parts has just over 3,000. From a cost perspective, new entrants will be disadvantaged because the dominate firms have a large level of production that brings costs down to the lowest possible level. These factors make it difficult for new firms to enter the market and compete with large, dominate firms such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts at the same price level. Industry growth is currently slow; therefore new entrants will only be able to gain significant volume by taking it from the industry giants. However, the exception to this is the entry into the online segment of the market. In contrast with the retail segment, in the online segment barriers to entry are low and new entrants can establish a web presence at relatively low costs. Thus, low start up costs and minimal barriers to entry make it easy for new competitors to join this portion of the market at any time. However, currently the online market represents a relatively insignificant portion of the industry. According to the AAIA, in 2006, the online and mail order portion of aftermarket auto parts is estimated at $2. billion, representing only one percent of the market. Having access to many channels of distribution and developing relationships with suppliers and distributors is another key to the success of new entrants in this industry. Access to channels of distributions and relationships is high because it is essential to maintain low costs from suppliers in order to increase profit and to maintain business the suppl iers that provide the lowest cost. AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts have built strong relationships with suppliers. New entrants will face difficulty in finding a supplier that sells its products at the lowest possible price to compete with these incumbents. Overall, the threat of new entrants in the automotive aftermarket industry is moderate. It is harder for new firms to enter the industry because of the barriers to entry posed by the larger competitors. As the top two dominate competitors in this industry, AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts have set relatively high barriers for new entrants. Threat of Substitutes Estimated as a $257 billion market in the U. S with few competitors, there is a great market for automotive aftermarket. The threat of substitutes is low because there is a progressive shift of powers between the high power and the low powers: the automobile industry and the aftermarket parts manufacturers. Still, there is an attractiveness for substitution and even counterfeiting aftermarket parts. Substitution in this market is possible due to the variety of market research available for purchase from independent research companies and many suppliers of product and market data. These research companies offer local, national, and global research with product and market segment as their main focus. The higher power in this industry is the automobile companies; each has its own unique parts for its products. Each automobile company specializes its vehicles and strives to distinguish its original equipment parts from the rest. Such inherent competitive elements in the automobile industry allow each automobile maker to have the power in pricing and limits distribution of its parts to the automotive after market. However, as the automotive aftermarket industry works to have Congress approve the â€Å"Right to Repair† legislation, the power balance will shift. As the Right to Repair press release states that this Right to Repair act will make the products less exclusive to the industry: â€Å"[the legislation] requires car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks†. With this legislation, there is more opportunity for the automotive aftermarket industry and coherently, more opportunity for product substitutions to enter this market and compete with the existing ones. The lower power falls within the existing automotive aftermarket companies and their abilities to produce and sell their own parts under their own name as original spares. Currently, most automotive aftermarket companies carry more generic replacement parts that fit a variety of vehicles and have a variety of applications. Such general specifications can make it very simple for parts to be copied and duplicated and therefore enabling parts substitution in the form of counterfeiting. Although not a significant threat in Western markets, fake parts can often be very similar to true aftermarket parts and even original equipment parts. It has been demonstrated that the most reputable garages can unwittingly fit counterfeit parts. However, in general, the trade in counterfeit vehicle parts does not occupy a large share of the market due to aftermarket affiliations such as the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). The AAIA serves as a central information center and provides aftermarket producers and retailers information and serves as a liaison for all companies within this market. According to the AAIA competitive interchange information is an important tool for curbing counterfeiting and increasing sales at the retail and wholesale point of service. Thus, nearly all part manufacturers in this market have the same information available to them. Another threat to replacement parts would be buying an entirely new vehicle. However for most end users, this is not a convenient or affordable alternative. Overall, the threat of substitutes for the automotive aftermarket is low because the shifts of high and low powers are changing. Existing Competitors As stated above in the industry overview, the aftermarket auto parts market consists of many companies and about 25 wholesalers and 40 retailers each have annual sales over $100 million. Many large firms operate both wholesale distribution centers and retail stores. The $257 Billion (2007) aftermarket auto parts sector has been dominated by brick and mortar retailers such as AutoZone (AZO), Advance Auto Parts (AAP), OReilly, Napa, Pep Boys, etc. The domestic demand for US auto parts is forecast to increase at an annual compounded rate of 5. 7 percent between 2007 and 2012. Auto Zone and Advance Auto Parts are the #1 and #2 retailers for the aftermarket auto parts. But many competitors like O’Reilly and Pep Boys are quickly closing the gap. Externally, the major competition for aftermarket auto parts is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Equivalent comparisons in the mechanical parts business would be aftermarket items such as Sears ® Die-Hardâ„ ¢ batteries, Monroe ® shocks and Midas ® mufflers to name a few replacements to the original parts that are not manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The car manufacturers fiercely advertise against buying aftermarket parts. In addition, since 1998, most states have passed laws that prohibit or limit the use of aftermarket auto parts in collision repair work and/or require enhanced disclosure or vehicle owner consent before using aftermarket auto parts in such repair work. Competitive Pricing For example, in 1992 an OEM fender for the Toyota Camry cost $253, before any comparable aftermarket part was available. By 1996, when an equivalent, quality aftermarket fender was available for only $100, the price of the OEM Camry fender had suddenly dropped to $143. 88. Auto owners today enjoy price reductions as much as 40% or more, depending on the part and complexity of repairs involved. In comparison, if a repair shop were to completely rebuild a car using only OEM parts, the cost would still be nearly three times the original retail price. For example, an average Ford or GM car selling for $14,000 on the showroom floor would cost more than $40,000 if purchased piece by piece using OEM parts. Aftermarket As mentioned previously, products are sold both to consumers who work on their own cars, the do-it-yourselfers (DIY); and to commercial installers (do-it-for-me, DIFM market). The DIY segment accounts for about 30 percent of the market, the DIFM segment 70 percent. The main domain AZO and AAP try to rival each other is customer service. The primary sector where there is opportunity for growth is the commercial (DIFM) market and each of them are trying to capture the customers by giving huge price incentives. But price is not the only thing, availability of parts and having parts specialists in the stores is also critical. The two retailers also have moderately high attrition rates as employees shift companies. The net sales for Auto Zone and Advance Auto were $6. 1 Billion and $4. 9 Billion respectively for year 2007. The net income for Auto Zone and Advance Auto was $595 million and $238 million respectively. Auto Zone has around 4200 stores whereas Advance Auto has just over 3000 stores which to some extent explain the difference in net sales and net incomes. This industry has high fixed costs, so having more stores with an efficient distribution network is a key strategy. The profitability of individual companies depends largely on inventory management and marketing. Computer technology is essential to auto parts wholesalers and retailers because they deal with large inventories of many items, bought from many suppliers, and with numerous small orders from customers, many that buy on account. Computerized catalogs that allow customers to find the correct parts based on auto year and make are common, and some companies, like AutoZone. com and PartsAmerica. com, allow customers to buy parts over the Internet using electronic catalogs. Having a friendly and competent internet portal is very important and Advance Auto lacks behind Auto Zone in this sector. Currently just 3% of the U. S. aftermarket auto parts market activity is done online. That number is expected to grow to 13% by 2010. Car makers are rapidly encroaching into the aftermarket space and the most effective tool for protecting their businesses is the Internet. With a drop in new vehicle demand, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have their sights set on the aftermarket for profits. They threaten to snatch both consumers and technicians away from the industry. The market will still be where they have stores but the internet provides a more efficient ordering system and a better way to share data with suppliers, while intranets drive internal efficiencies. Also they need to make sure that when people use the internet to find a part, its going to be there when they drive to our stores. While both the OEM and aftermarket parts industries continue to develop and smooth out their negativities to gain the favor of the consumers, the competition can only benefit both the purchasers and the industry. Automotive Aftermarket Analysis free essay sample The automotive aftermarket is a large contributor to the U. S. economy employing nearly 4. 6 million people. New replacement automotive parts such as alternators, brakes, lights, bumpers, fenders, and so on, are parts referred to as â€Å"aftermarket† or â€Å"functionally equivalent† parts when made by a company other than the original car manufacturer (Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, and others). This industry sells automotive parts and other products used to maintain or repair light and heavy duty vehicles. Products are sold both to consumers who repair or accessorize their own vehicles, the â€Å"do it yourselfers† (DIY) and to professional service stations or installers like gas stations, auto repair shops and service departments which are the â€Å"do it for me† (DIFM) providers. Dominant Economic Features Nearly 45,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $135 billion define the wholesale and retail automotive parts industry. Top companies include Genuine Parts/NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, CSK Auto, and Pep Boys, all with annual sales over billion. We will write a custom essay sample on Automotive Aftermarket Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The top 25 wholesalers and top 40 retailers each have annual sales over $100 million. Many large firms operate both wholesale distribution centers and retail stores (Hoovers, 2008). During the 2003 -2007 periods, the US automotive aftermarket demonstrated fairly slow but steady rates of growth and is expected to continue over the forthcoming five years (DataMonitor, 2007). As stated by AAIA, â€Å"Overall aftermarket sales increased in 2004 to $257. 0 billion, an increase of 5. 4 percent from 2003. An increasing number of miles driven by an ever-growing vehicle population helped the aftermarket increase in 2004. Sales in the automotive aftermarket (cars and light trucks) totaled $190. billion and sales in the heavy duty vehicle aftermarket totaled $66. 5 billion† (AAIA, 2008). Estimated as a $257 billion market in the United States, the aftermarket helps keep vehicles on the road by providing consumers the choice to where they want their vehicles serviced, maintained or customized (AAIA, 2008). As indicated by AAIA, â€Å"The automotive aftermarket is the part of the automotive industry concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles† (AAIA, 2008). Porter’s Five Forces Power of Buyers Aftermarket auto parts retailers are prevalent throughout the country. In most cases the power of buyers is directly proportional to the availability of options given the buyer. Buyers can choose products based on price, brand and retailer assuming the retailers are readily available. Retailers can empower buyers by choosing store locations in proximity to competitors. By being readily available to buyers, aftermarket auto parts retailers such as Advance Auto and AutoZone give buyers the power to choose their store. Conversely the buyer’s power is less when there are limited options available or if the market has not been tapped and choices are limited. Both AutoZone and Advance Auto spend a great amount of money in building their brands and developing customer loyalty. This is a direct result of the buyer’s power to choose between these retailers and others. While buyers may have power in choosing retailer or brand they have little power to drive down prices in the aftermarket auto parts industry. Advance Auto and AutoZone both market to a large number of relatively small buyers. Neither company has large buyers that are significant enough to their businesses to drive prices down. Although single buyers do not influence the market and affect prices, buyers are able to be price sensitive as there is little product differentiation between sellers. Without product differentiation these price sensitive buyers put pressure on Advance Auto and AutoZone to lower prices to remain competitive. The lowering of prices and increased competition in trying to â€Å"win† customers cuts directly into the profits of these retailers. Proprietary information has decreased the power of buyers as well as the power of sellers in the aftermarket automotive industry. As the automotive industry becomes more advanced with the use of computers and special tools the independent repair shops and consumer are losing the ability to make repairs and replace parts. The information needed to work with the computers and special tools is held by these specialty manufacturers. They continue to withhold any information in an effort to capitalize not only on the sale of an automobile but also the repair. This disadvantage which is created by the automobile manufacturers is being fought on Capitol Hill. The â€Å"Right to Repair† act has been gaining support in an effort to make this proprietary information public and give the consumer the opportunity to purchase these items in a competitive market. Power of Suppliers Large suppliers like Delphi, Johnson Controls and Visteon, and many thousands of smaller suppliers and manufacturers make parts for auto companies under new vehicle programs and also make replacement parts specifically for the aftermarket retailers and wholesalers. A wholesaler/retailer typically buys from 200 to 300 vendors. Production programs for new cars typically include 5 to 10 percent of production that goes to the aftermarket. Long-term supply contracts are rare, and in most cases, several suppliers are available for any particular product (Hoovers, 2008). Key inputs to the automotive aftermarket include various materials such as metals, plastics and equipment for the manufacturing process. Steel and aluminum prices have increased over the past few years and ongoing consolidation in the steel industry may lead to further price rises. Price increases are passed along from the steel industry to the aftermarket manufacturer, from the aftermarket manufacturer to the retail company and finally on to the end consumer. Raw material prices are also increasing and therefore will also negatively affect aftermarket manufacturers and retailers like Auto Zone and Advance Auto profits. Some suppliers are large companies such as steel manufacturers and they supply to a wide range of industries; thus brake manufacturers are not vital to their success in the market, strengthening supplier power. The quality of the product is crucial to the success of the brake aftermarket, particularly with brake components as they are integral to the safety of automotive vehicles (DataMonitor, 2007). According to DataMonitor Industry Research, â€Å"There is little risk of market players backward integrating as suppliers businesses are very different to their own and this would require high capital outlay. Although similarly it is unlikely that suppliers would attempt forward integration here†. Overall supplier power in this industry is strong (DataMonitor, 2007). Threat of New Entrants As more firms attempt to enter an industry, the profits of existing firms will ultimately decrease as well as lower their market share. Therefore, large retailer such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts must find innovative techniques to assure that they can keep new firms at a large disadvantage in competition. However, at present, the threat of new entrants in the automotive aftermarket industry is low to moderate. This was determined by examining criteria relevant to new entry threat as discussed below. New entrants need to operate scale economies to achieve success with the need for extensive distribution networks and efficiency in production to compete against large incumbents. Barriers to entry are therefore fairly high and this combined with slow market growth makes entry to the market problematic (DataMonitor, 2007). Economies of scale are a key factor to the success of new entrants in automotive aftermarket industry. In order for new entrants to earn significant profits they will have to sell large quantities of product, and therefore have to accumulate large amounts of assets to compete in the retail industry. Currently, AutoZone has over 4,000 retail locations and Advance Auto Parts has just over 3,000. From a cost perspective, new entrants will be disadvantaged because the dominate firms have a large level of production that brings costs down to the lowest possible level. These factors make it difficult for new firms to enter the market and compete with large, dominate firms such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts at the same price level. Industry growth is currently slow; therefore new entrants will only be able to gain significant volume by taking it from the industry giants. However, the exception to this is the entry into the online segment of the market. In contrast with the retail segment, in the online segment barriers to entry are low and new entrants can establish a web presence at relatively low costs. Thus, low start up costs and minimal barriers to entry make it easy for new competitors to join this portion of the market at any time. However, currently the online market represents a relatively insignificant portion of the industry. According to the AAIA, in 2006, the online and mail order portion of aftermarket auto parts is estimated at $2. billion, representing only one percent of the market. Having access to many channels of distribution and developing relationships with suppliers and distributors is another key to the success of new entrants in this industry. Access to channels of distributions and relationships is high because it is essential to maintain low costs from suppliers in order to increase profit and to maintain business the suppl iers that provide the lowest cost. AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts have built strong relationships with suppliers. New entrants will face difficulty in finding a supplier that sells its products at the lowest possible price to compete with these incumbents. Overall, the threat of new entrants in the automotive aftermarket industry is moderate. It is harder for new firms to enter the industry because of the barriers to entry posed by the larger competitors. As the top two dominate competitors in this industry, AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts have set relatively high barriers for new entrants. Threat of Substitutes Estimated as a $257 billion market in the U. S with few competitors, there is a great market for automotive aftermarket. The threat of substitutes is low because there is a progressive shift of powers between the high power and the low powers: the automobile industry and the aftermarket parts manufacturers. Still, there is an attractiveness for substitution and even counterfeiting aftermarket parts. Substitution in this market is possible due to the variety of market research available for purchase from independent research companies and many suppliers of product and market data. These research companies offer local, national, and global research with product and market segment as their main focus. The higher power in this industry is the automobile companies; each has its own unique parts for its products. Each automobile company specializes its vehicles and strives to distinguish its original equipment parts from the rest. Such inherent competitive elements in the automobile industry allow each automobile maker to have the power in pricing and limits distribution of its parts to the automotive after market. However, as the automotive aftermarket industry works to have Congress approve the â€Å"Right to Repair† legislation, the power balance will shift. As the Right to Repair press release states that this Right to Repair act will make the products less exclusive to the industry: â€Å"[the legislation] requires car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks†. With this legislation, there is more opportunity for the automotive aftermarket industry and coherently, more opportunity for product substitutions to enter this market and compete with the existing ones. The lower power falls within the existing automotive aftermarket companies and their abilities to produce and sell their own parts under their own name as original spares. Currently, most automotive aftermarket companies carry more generic replacement parts that fit a variety of vehicles and have a variety of applications. Such general specifications can make it very simple for parts to be copied and duplicated and therefore enabling parts substitution in the form of counterfeiting. Although not a significant threat in Western markets, fake parts can often be very similar to true aftermarket parts and even original equipment parts. It has been demonstrated that the most reputable garages can unwittingly fit counterfeit parts. However, in general, the trade in counterfeit vehicle parts does not occupy a large share of the market due to aftermarket affiliations such as the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). The AAIA serves as a central information center and provides aftermarket producers and retailers information and serves as a liaison for all companies within this market. According to the AAIA competitive interchange information is an important tool for curbing counterfeiting and increasing sales at the retail and wholesale point of service. Thus, nearly all part manufacturers in this market have the same information available to them. Another threat to replacement parts would be buying an entirely new vehicle. However for most end users, this is not a convenient or affordable alternative. Overall, the threat of substitutes for the automotive aftermarket is low because the shifts of high and low powers are changing. Existing Competitors As stated above in the industry overview, the aftermarket auto parts market consists of many companies and about 25 wholesalers and 40 retailers each have annual sales over $100 million. Many large firms operate both wholesale distribution centers and retail stores. The $257 Billion (2007) aftermarket auto parts sector has been dominated by brick and mortar retailers such as AutoZone (AZO), Advance Auto Parts (AAP), OReilly, Napa, Pep Boys, etc. The domestic demand for US auto parts is forecast to increase at an annual compounded rate of 5. 7 percent between 2007 and 2012. Auto Zone and Advance Auto Parts are the #1 and #2 retailers for the aftermarket auto parts. But many competitors like O’Reilly and Pep Boys are quickly closing the gap. Externally, the major competition for aftermarket auto parts is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Equivalent comparisons in the mechanical parts business would be aftermarket items such as Sears ® Die-Hardâ„ ¢ batteries, Monroe ® shocks and Midas ® mufflers to name a few replacements to the original parts that are not manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The car manufacturers fiercely advertise against buying aftermarket parts. In addition, since 1998, most states have passed laws that prohibit or limit the use of aftermarket auto parts in collision repair work and/or require enhanced disclosure or vehicle owner consent before using aftermarket auto parts in such repair work. Competitive Pricing For example, in 1992 an OEM fender for the Toyota Camry cost $253, before any comparable aftermarket part was available. By 1996, when an equivalent, quality aftermarket fender was available for only $100, the price of the OEM Camry fender had suddenly dropped to $143. 88. Auto owners today enjoy price reductions as much as 40% or more, depending on the part and complexity of repairs involved. In comparison, if a repair shop were to completely rebuild a car using only OEM parts, the cost would still be nearly three times the original retail price. For example, an average Ford or GM car selling for $14,000 on the showroom floor would cost more than $40,000 if purchased piece by piece using OEM parts. Aftermarket As mentioned previously, products are sold both to consumers who work on their own cars, the do-it-yourselfers (DIY); and to commercial installers (do-it-for-me, DIFM market). The DIY segment accounts for about 30 percent of the market, the DIFM segment 70 percent. The main domain AZO and AAP try to rival each other is customer service. The primary sector where there is opportunity for growth is the commercial (DIFM) market and each of them are trying to capture the customers by giving huge price incentives. But price is not the only thing, availability of parts and having parts specialists in the stores is also critical. The two retailers also have moderately high attrition rates as employees shift companies. The net sales for Auto Zone and Advance Auto were $6. 1 Billion and $4. 9 Billion respectively for year 2007. The net income for Auto Zone and Advance Auto was $595 million and $238 million respectively. Auto Zone has around 4200 stores whereas Advance Auto has just over 3000 stores which to some extent explain the difference in net sales and net incomes. This industry has high fixed costs, so having more stores with an efficient distribution network is a key strategy. The profitability of individual companies depends largely on inventory management and marketing. Computer technology is essential to auto parts wholesalers and retailers because they deal with large inventories of many items, bought from many suppliers, and with numerous small orders from customers, many that buy on account. Computerized catalogs that allow customers to find the correct parts based on auto year and make are common, and some companies, like AutoZone. com and PartsAmerica. com, allow customers to buy parts over the Internet using electronic catalogs. Having a friendly and competent internet portal is very important and Advance Auto lacks behind Auto Zone in this sector. Currently just 3% of the U. S. aftermarket auto parts market activity is done online. That number is expected to grow to 13% by 2010. Car makers are rapidly encroaching into the aftermarket space and the most effective tool for protecting their businesses is the Internet. With a drop in new vehicle demand, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have their sights set on the aftermarket for profits. They threaten to snatch both consumers and technicians away from the industry. The market will still be where they have stores but the internet provides a more efficient ordering system and a better way to share data with suppliers, while intranets drive internal efficiencies. Also they need to make sure that when people use the internet to find a part, its going to be there when they drive to our stores. While both the OEM and aftermarket parts industries continue to develop and smooth out their negativities to gain the favor of the consumers, the competition can only benefit both the purchasers and the industry.

100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs)

100+ Exciting STEM Careers (and the Highest-Paying Science Jobs) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Can’t get enough of physics, calculus, or computer science? Then a career in STEM sounds like it'd be the perfect fit for you. In this comprehensive guide, we go over the top 10 STEM careers and give you an even more extensive STEM careers list of more than 100 jobs. We'll then wrap up with a step-by-step guide to getting a STEM career. But first, what exactly is STEM? And what is a STEM career? What Is STEM? Overview STEM is a group of four academic and professional disciplines that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But STEM is more than just four separate, albeit somewhat related, scientific disciplines. As an educational approach, STEM centers around the idea of teaching students in an applied and interdisciplinary manner. What this means is that most college students who study a STEM major will take an array of classes that encompass all or almost all of these four fields. So, for example, if you’re majoring in a natural science subject like biology, you'll likely have to take classes in math and computers or technology (to conduct research or analyze experiments) so you can fully understand the different facets that go into studying biology and using it in your career. Here are some examples of popular STEM fields/majors: Astronomy Biology Chemistry Computer programming Computer science Earth sciences Engineering (all types) Geology Information technology Marine science Mathematics Physics Note that there's no hard-and-fast definition for what counts as a STEM field. Very generally speaking, any major that earns you a BS (Bachelor of Science), BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science), or BE (Bachelor of Engineering) can be said to be a STEM major. Below are examples of majors that sound like STEM fields but that we are not counting as STEM based on the fact they are generally associated with other types of majors and departments (such as business, humanities, social sciences, arts, and so on): Accounting Anthropology Architecture Economics Finance Medicine Political science Psychology It’s not innately wrong to consider some or all of the above majors STEM, but just know that not everyone will agree with you if you think your BA in Psychology is STEM. If you’re curious, you can look at this list of majors, which details how the US government defines STEM (for the record, they don’t consider most of the ones listed directly above STEM!). Sorry, guys, but we're not counting medicine as a STEM field. What Is a STEM Career? Now that we’ve gone over what STEM is and what counts as a STEM field and major, let’s answer another question: what is a STEM career exactly? The simple definition is that STEM jobs are any positions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. More specifically, though, STEM careers are jobs that focus almost entirely on utilizing the skills you’ve gained in your particular field, either through your education or your previous work experience (or both). STEM jobs can be found across an array of sectors, from private businesses, to big corporations, to nonprofits, to government jobs. They can also encompass a wide range of duties, such as the design of computer applications, scientific research, equipment design and testing, etc. Requirements for STEM jobs can vary dramatically, but the truth is that many STEM careers do not even require a bachelor’s degree as long as you have the skills and experience necessary to do the tasks required of you. That said, and as we’ll see in the next sections, a bachelor’s or graduate degree can drastically raise your earning potential. So what’s the point of STEM careers? And why are so many people talking about the importance of STEM jobs these days? For one, STEM careers are booming, with high employment growth rates projected through 2020 and sustained above-average growth, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This, combined with the fact that our society is becoming more and more reliant on technology, is why the US government is making such a candid effort to incentivize students to pursue STEM careers. In addition, STEM jobs are some of the most lucrative jobs available. According to the BLS, the median annual salary in 2018 for people with STEM jobs was $84,880, while the median salary for non-STEM jobs was $37,020. This indicates that people with STEM careers typically make more than twice what those with non-STEM jobs make! Top 10 Highest-Paying Science Jobs and STEM Careers We know that there are tons of great STEM jobs out there, but which ones will earn you the most money? We've looked at several best STEM careers lists from websites such as US News and Forbes, as well as the BLS, to find the top 10 STEM careers, which we introduce to you below in order of highest median salary to lowest. Note that the current average employment growth rate is 7%, so STEM jobs with rates higher than this are growing at a faster-than-average pace. #1: Computer and Information Systems Managers Median Salary (2018): $142,530 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 12% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Computer and information systems managers coordinate an array of computer-related activities and implement computer systems for a business or organization. They also determine personnel needs, direct and supervise the work of other IT professionals, learn about new technologies and think of ways to apply them, and look for potential upgrades to existing technology. There are several types of computer and information systems managers you can be: Chief information officer Chief technology officer IT director IT security manager This job, which is also called a technology manager or IT manager, is usually reserved for those with at least five years of relevant work experience. In other words, this STEM position is not typically open to entry-level workers, and you’ll have to instead build your way up to this position by first taking on other roles related to computers and information systems. Most computer and information systems manager jobs require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field, such as information systems, information technology, or computer science. A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field could increase your earning potential and make you stand out from other applicants. Computer and information systems managers are great with computers ... and not knocking over soda, apparently. #2: Petroleum Engineers Median Salary (2018): $137,170 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 15% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Petroleum engineers work with specialists to create, design, and develop ways to extract oil and gas from deposits in the ground, both on land and at sea. They can work in offices and at drilling sites; travel is typically a big part of the job since petroleum engineers will often need to meet with clients and other engineers. Petroleum engineers also find cost-saving methods for drilling oil and gas reservoirs, and review the geological formation of a site to determine the best ways to approach it. There are various job titles for petroleum engineers: Completions engineer Drilling engineer Production engineer Reservoir engineer You’ll normally need to have a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, though a major in another engineering field, such as civil, chemical, or mechanical, could be sufficient for a particular job. Some petroleum engineering jobs will prefer candidates with a graduate degree in (petroleum) engineering. #3: Physicists and Astronomers Median Salary (2018): $9,580 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 14% Minimum Degree Required: Doctoral or professional degree Physicists and astronomers study the ways different forms of energy and matter interact with one another and might also research the origins of the universe or the function of time in an effort to develop and build upon scientific theories. These types of scientists often conduct experiments using innovative technologies, from lasers to particle accelerators; they also sometimes teach physics or astronomy at the postsecondary level. Physicists work in offices, observatories, and laboratories. Popular employers include universities and the federal US government. Here are some of the most common types of physicists and astronomers: Astrophysicists Condensed matter and materials physicists Medical physicists Particle and nuclear physicists Cosmologists Optical and radio astronomers In order to become a physicist or astronomer, you’ll need to earn a doctorate, usually a PhD in Astronomy or a PhD in Physics. Unfortunately, the bulk of astronomers' jobs these days entails reminding certain folks that the Earth is, in fact, round. #4: Computer and Information Research Scientists Median Salary (2018): $8,370 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 19% Minimum Degree Required: Master’s degree Computer and information research scientists come up with new approaches to and new uses for computers and information technology. They solve different computing issues for businesses and organizations, and also invent computer languages, software, hardware, and other tools. The primary goal of these types of scientists is to improve computing efficiency for people and businesses. Several specializations are available: Data science Robotics Programming To become a computer and information research scientist, you must typically have a master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. #5: Aerospace Engineers Median Salary (2018): $5,220 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree As an aerospace engineer, you’ll design airplanes and other aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and so on. You’ll also work on developing new aerospace technology and test prototypes of these products to ensure they function correctly. Aerospace engineers work in industries such as national defense, research and development, manufacturing, and design. There are two main types of aerospace engineers: Aeronautical engineers (people who work with aircraft) Astronautical engineers (people who work with spacecraft) The vast majority of aerospace engineers have a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Some engineers might also need to getspecial security clearance if working for the US government on national defense systems. #6: Computer Hardware Engineers Median Salary (2018): $4,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 5% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Being a computer hardware engineer involves researching, developing, and testing computers and related equipment for the military, commercial businesses, organizations, and scientific research. These engineers often install computers and supervise product installation. Computer hardware engineers differ from software developers in that they work with the external components of computers rather than the internal workings. California has one of the highest employment levels of computer hardware engineers and also offers the highest wages. To become a computer hardware engineer, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. Computer hardware engineers deal with these thingies (is it that obvious I wasn't a STEM major?). #7: Computer Network Architects Median Salary (2018): $109,020 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 6% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree The primary duty of computer network architects is to develop and design data communication networks- such as intranets, wide area networks, and local area networks- in order to meet the needs of clients and businesses. Network architects can work with small networks (e.g., connections between two offices) or much larger networks and capabilities (e.g., cloud infrastructures). They also often work in tandem with other specialists, such as computer system administrators and information systems managers, to ensure they are satisfying the needs of their clients and maintaining efficiency. Most computer network architects hold a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or computer engineering. #8: Nuclear Engineers Median Salary (2018): $107,600 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 4% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Nuclear engineers design and research tools, processes, and systems that make use of radiation and nuclear energy, usually for medical instruments and treatments or to develop nuclear power sources for spacecraft and ships. In addition, these engineers write instructional manuals, gather data, and test the efficacy of new methods for utilizing nuclear energy and material. In order to work full-time as a nuclear engineer, you’ll typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or another engineering field. Be aware that some entry-level jobs in the field might require a master’s degree or higher. Lots of people likely imagine this when they hear the word "nuclear." But, in reality, nuclear engineers do a lot of amazing things for people struggling with certain diseases. #9: Software Developers Median Salary (2018): $105,590 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 24% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Software developers design, develop, and test different computer applications and programs for use on computers, phones, tablets, etc. This job is especially ideal for creative, tech-savvy people, as it provides you with complete control of the entire creative process when it comes to making new software that people will actually use. In addition, it’s currently one of the most popular STEM careers. Software developers are in charge of making improvements to existing software, responding to clients’ needs, and creating upgrades and bug fixes. Developers may or may not write the codes themselves for the software they create (if not, they’ll usually have programmers do it). There are two main types of software developers: Applications software developers (those who design computer applications) Systems software developers (those who design entire operating systems) Most software developer positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. #10: Chemical Engineers Median Salary (2018): $104,910 Employment Outlook (2016-2026): 8% Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree Chemical engineers use math, chemistry, physics, and biology to solve problems that involve the application and production of chemicals. Specific duties include testing production methods, designing equipment and manufacturing processes, and directing facility operations. The majority of chemical engineers work in laboratories and offices; they also visit refineries and industrial plants, among other places, to address issues and manage operations. Other duties include coming up with safety procedures, conducting research, and troubleshooting problems. Chemical engineers have the option to specialize in specific processes or fields. To be a chemical engineer, you’ll need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or another type of engineering. Get ready for our huge STEM careers list! Complete STEM Careers List: 100+ Job Options Below, we give you an extensive STEM careers list with more than 100 STEM jobs to choose from. Feel free to browse this list to get a feel for what kind of career you might want to have or would like to learn more about. All jobs are listed in alphabetical order. Note that educational requirements for the following STEM careers can vary widely, from a high school diploma, to a bachelor’s degree in a related field, to a doctorate. You can learn more about the prerequisites for STEM jobs you’re curious about by referring to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Aerospace engineer Agricultural engineer Aircraft mechanic Animal breeder Animal scientist Architectural and engineering manager Astronomer Atmospheric and space scientist Automotive engineer Avionics technician Bioacoustic researcher Biochemical engineer Biochemist Biofuels processing technician Biofuels production manager Bioinformatics scientist Biological technician Biologist Biomedical engineer Biophysicist Biostatistician Cartographer/photogrammetrist Chemical engineer Chemical plant and system operator Chemical technician Chemist Civil engineer Climate change analyst Clinical data manager Computational research scientist Computer and information research scientist Computer and information systems manager Computer hardware engineer Computer network architect Computer programmer Computer systems analyst Computer user support specialist Conservation scientist Cost estimator Crystallographer Cybersecurity analyst Database administrator Electrical engineer Electromechanical engineering technician Electronics engineer Entomologist Environmental engineering technician Environmental (restoration) planner Environmental scientist Fiber optic technician Food scientist Forensic biochemist Geneticist Geologist Geoscientist Health and safety engineer Herpetologist Hydrologist Industrial engineer Industrial engineering technician Information security analyst Information technology specialist Manufacturing engineer Marine engineer/naval architect Marine geophysicist Market research analyst Materials engineer Materials scientist Mathematical technician Mathematician Mechanical engineer Mechatronics engineer Medical scientist Meteorologist Microbiologist Microsystems engineer Mining and geological engineer Molecular and cellular biologist Nanosystems engineer Natural sciences manager Nuclear engineer Nuclear equipment operation technician Nuclear monitoring technician Operations research analyst Park naturalist Petroleum engineer Photonics engineer Physicist Postsecondary teacher/professor Power plant operator Precision agriculture technician Product safety engineer Quality control analyst Quantitative analyst Remote sensing scientist and technologist Remote sensing technician Robotics engineer Robotics technician Security management specialist Seismologist Software developer Soil and plant scientist Soil and water conservationist Solar energy systems engineer Statistician Submarine sonar technician Survey researcher Telecommunications engineering specialist Toxicologist Transportation engineer Transportation planner Validation engineer Water resource specialist Water treatment plant operator Water/wastewater engineer Wildlife conservationist Wind turbine service technician Zoologist This little guy can tell you how to get a job in STEM- as long as you charge his battery first. How to Get a STEM Career: 8 Essential Steps If you’ve decided you want a STEM career, great! But how can you prepare yourself for one? What classes do you need to take, and what colleges should you apply to? Lastly, how can you look for STEM jobs in your field? Here, we've created a step-by-step guide- starting with high school and going all the way through college- to help you ultimately secure a career in STEM. In High School This might come as a surprise, but STEM careers for people often begin as far back as high schoolwhen you can first explore the various STEM topics and start thinking about what fields you’re most interested in pursuing long-term. Step 1: Take Lots of STEM Classes and Do Well in Them High school STEM classes can feel a bit limited compared with those offered by colleges, but your school will likely still have a decent array of options. Besides the science and math classes all students must take (usually this will be biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and calculus), you should make an effort tofit in at least two to three STEM electives, particularly in topics you're passionate about or really interested in. Here areexamples of possible STEM classes you could take in high school, depending on what your school offers: Agriculture App development Astronomy Botany Computer math Computer programming Computer repair Earth science Environmental science Geology Marine biology Oceanography Statistics Web design Web programming Zoology If you’re particularly strong in a certain STEM topic, such as physics or calculus, you should also consider taking the AP or honors level of that class (and then taking the AP test for it, too!). Here are all AP classes and exams that focus on STEM topics: AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science A AP Computer Science Principles AP Statistics Remember that it’s not just about exposing yourself to new STEM topics or taking as many STEM classes as possible- you should also work hard to earn good grades in your STEM classes (in all your classes, really) so you can ultimately get into a great college. Don't skip chemistry class in high school if you want to get into STEM! Step 2: Start Thinking About Your Interests As you take STEM classes throughout high school, spend some time thinking hard about which topics you like more than others and what you could see yourself studying in college (and using in a future career). For example, maybe you find calculus a bit boring but get excited about developing new apps and computer programs. In this case, you’ll want to try to steer your focus more toward classes in app development, computer science, and related topics than those with a heavier math emphasis. If you’re still unsure what type of STEM field you want to focus on but know that you enjoy STEM as a whole, that’s perfectly fine- just continue taking a range of STEM classes so you can start to work out what appeals to you the most. Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science Sections Getting into a top college isn’t just about having a good GPA and taking lots of difficult classes but also getting an impressive SAT/ACT score. If you’re hoping to enter STEM, you’ll want to get an especially high score on the SAT Math section or the ACT Math and Science sections (the SAT does not have a Science section as the ACT does). Earning top scores on these sections- regardless of which test you decide to take- will prove to colleges that you’re ready for the challenges of a STEM major and a STEM career. While the Math and Science sections should be most important to you, don’t neglect to study for the other sections on the test (i.e., Reading and Writing on the SAT, and Reading and English on the ACT). Check out our ultimate SAT/ACT study guides for more tips on how you can get a great SAT/ACT score. Step 4: Apply to Colleges With a Program for Your STEM Field By the beginning of your senior year of high school, you should start to have a pretty clear idea of what STEM field you like most and would like to study further. As you begin applying to colleges, make sure to look for schools that specifically offer (or, even better, specialize in) the STEM topic you want to major in or are thinking of majoring in. For instance, it might not actually be the best choice to apply to your local university if it doesn’t offer the STEM major or classes you want. If you’re still unsure what you want to major in or are interested in many STEM topics, it’s best to apply to colleges that offer a big array of STEM majors and classes. These schools will usually be STEM-oriented colleges and engineering schools, such as MIT, Caltech, and Georgia Tech. Refer to US News for a list of the best undergraduate engineering programs to get a feel for what schools are known for what types of engineering/STEM topics. Forbes also offers a detailed list of the 25 best STEM colleges. The universal facial expression of college students majoring in STEM. In College You’ve now completed high school and are moving on to college. Congratulations! In this section, we'll go over the four steps you should take as an undergraduate to ensure you’re on track to getting the STEM career you want. Step 5: Consider What Kind of STEM Career You Want College offers lots of freedom in terms of the classes you can choose, so use this time to really think more about what kinds of STEM jobs you might be interested in. For example, maybe you enjoyed math in high school but weren't sure if math as a whole was the field you wanted to get into. In college, your class options will be a lot more plentiful: you will likely be able to take courses in math topics that weren’t available to you in high school, such as abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, or differential equations. Taking these classes in college can help you determine whether math is truly the right STEM field for you. In short, the more STEM classes you take (and enjoy taking!), the more clearly you’ll be able to begin visualizing the kind of STEM career you want to have. Step 6: Declare a Major If you haven’t done so already, start thinking about what your STEM major will be and make an official declaration when you’re sure it’s what you want to study and what you want to have a career in. If you’re still undecided after a year or two of college, consider making an appointment with your academic advisor or college career center to help you figure out what majors and STEM careers might be a good fit for you based on the classes you’ve taken and liked. Don't forget that you can always change your major if you end up deciding that the one you initially chose is not actually the best fit for you and your career goals (though this might mean you’ll be in college longer than four years). Alternatively, you can double major if there's more than one (STEM) topic that interests you and if you want to give yourself even more potential career paths. Don't worry if you're not sure what to major in- you can always double major in two STEM fields, or one STEM field and one non-STEM field! Step 7: Accumulate Professional Experience Try to take advantage of your summers off by doing a STEM-oriented internship, working a part-time STEM job, or conducting research. Although work experience isn’t an absolute necessity for getting a great STEM job after graduation, it can certainly help in terms of raising your salary potential and making you stand apart from other applicants. Internships and jobs can also help you figure out what STEM topic to major in if you have yet to declare one (see Step 6). Remember that working STEM jobs, even if they only last one summer, can lead to some amazing opportunities for networking, which you can take advantage of later on when applying for jobs. Step 8: Look for STEM Jobs As you enter your final year of college, it’s time to start actively applying to STEM jobs (or STEM grad programs, depending on whether you need an advanced degree for your field). There are many resources you can use to look for STEM jobs: Current or previous employer(s): If you have completed or are presently in a STEM-related internship or job, you can use this professional connection to see whether there are any full-time jobs available there or at a similar company. STEM professors, peers, and alumni: People in your own circles can be great resources for landing STEM jobs. Ask professors and classmates whether they have any job leads. You can also meet with alumni to see what kinds of career paths they ended up having after college. College career center: Don’t pass up this resource! Your school’s career center can give you tons of advice for making your resume stand out and finding STEM jobs that fit your goals. LinkedIn: If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn account. This website is excellent for searching for STEM jobs, connecting with people in your field and at your college, and just generally making yourself known. Hacker News: This website is geared toward computer science and entrepreneurship and offers an updated job board for those looking specifically for STEM careers. MAA Classifieds: Established by the Mathematical Association of America, this job-search website allows you to search for an array of math and STEM jobs by title or location. Science Careers: This careers board for those looking to get jobs in the fields of science and technology is a joint effort of the journal Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AWIS Career Center: This job-search site geared toward women in STEM and made by the Association for Women in Science lets you search for STEM careers by keyword, location, or industry. The trick to getting a STEM job is to apply to as many as possible and be prepared for some setbacks- indeed, it's not at all rare to have to send out dozens of applications before you even land an interview, so don’t feel discouraged! The biggest piece of advice I can give recent college graduates and those about to graduate is to just keep moving forward- you'll get a job offer eventually! Recap: What Is a STEM Career and How Can You Get One? STEM is an acronym for the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; thus, STEM careers are any jobs that are based in one or more of these four fields. At present, STEM jobs are experiencing a large boom, with high employment growth projected for the next decade and loads of high-paying jobs. Based on our analysis of many STEM jobs lists and BLS data, we’ve determined that the 10 highest-paying science jobs and STEM careers are currently as follows (in order of highest median salary to lowest): Computer and information systems managers Petroleum engineers Physicists and astronomers Computer and information research scientists Aerospace engineers Computer hardware engineers Computer network architects Nuclear engineers Software developers Chemical engineers There are many more STEM jobs available than just these 10. Above, we’ve given you an extensive STEM careers list containing 100+ jobs for you to consider. There are many steps involved when it comes to getting a STEM career. To review, these steps are as follows: In High School Step 1: Take lots of STEM classes and do well in them Step 2: Start thinking about your interests Step 3: Ace the SAT/ACT Math and Science sections Step 4: Apply to colleges that teach your STEM topic In College Step 5: Consider what kind of STEM career you want Step 6: Declare a major Step 7: Accumulate professional experience Step 8: Look for STEM jobs Now that you've learned all there is to know about establishing a STEM career, get out there and start making your dreams a reality! What’s Next? What is a STEM degree and how can you know if it's the right major for you? Our guide offers expert tips for helping you decide whether STEM is the best choice for your studies. To get into a great college as a STEM major, you need to have amazing SAT/ACT scores in the Math and Science sections.Our in-depth guides to getting a perfect score in SAT Math, ACT Math, and ACT Science will teach you our very best secrets for acing these tricky sections. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Hannah Muniz About the Author Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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Scotland and Saudi Arabia Nations Population Census Records Research Paper

Scotland and Saudi Arabia Nations Population Census Records - Research Paper Example To build pyramids, the Egyptian government would conduct a census so as to plan for people to be involved besides the need to redistribute land due to the yearly flooding of river Nile. Censuses can be traced back to the times when Romans and Greeks would do this task even before Christ was born. Men in the empire of Rome would be ordered to return to their places of origin so that the exercise would be undertaken. (ons.gov.uk, 2008) This study is set out to discuss the nations of Scotland and Saudi Arabia with a specific focus on population census records. A comparison will be done and the befitting answer to the various tasks will be provided regarding this. In every scenario, Scottish census records will be looked at first before proceeding to Saudi Arabia. The information from the displayed table may be of help to private researchers who may want to determine the average number of persons each family has in Scotland and also determine the trends in the changes of family size to tell whether they are diminishing, stagnated or increasing in terms of persons per household. This information would also be important to other stakeholders like the Health Ministry to come up with conclusions on family planning issues. Table 2 could be used by civil servants to count on the dependency ratio, the number of people in the labor force and those with sustainable sources of income. This would also be helpful to the government to determine the number of drugs, food, and other essential resources to distribute as well as future prospects on the labor force. This would be useful to private researchers where they may want to determine aggregate expenditure in households.