Autocar, the well known British car magazine, is kicking of a competition for promising young automotive design students. The prize? A unforgettable internship with several of the top automaker's in the world!
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The competition is being called “The Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award 2012.” It was launched in 2009 and gives participates a chance to launch their automotive career with quite a bang. The competition is run in partnership Courland International, an executive head hunting firm for automakers, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers.
The 2012 award is backed by major automakers such as Jaguar, Land Rover, McLaren Automotive, Peugeot, Skoda and Toyota.
The winner will be rewarded with an amazing work experience. This consists of one month at each of the above mentioned automakers.
To enter the competition, design students need to answer this design brief:
“In no more than 500 words, describe an improvement (be it an invention, innovation, a legislative change, a change to corporate policy or the adoption of a new convention) which you believe would be a worthwhile benefit to the UK automotive business. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of how such an improvement could be made viable and what the wider implications of it might be.”
This design brief was set by Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley. Interested students who want to enter must submit their entry by August 31st, 2012.
Submissions from all fields will be welcome. This includes everything from engineering, marketing and communications, to design and media.
“Originality” is the keyword here though as that is what the judges want to see! Interested entrants should keep this in mind.
The six top entrants will attend a judging day at the HQ of Autocar, where they will have the chance to present their ideas to a panel of leading industry auto executes. After this phase, the contenders will be cut to three finalists. These lucky three will be invited to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ annual dinner on November 27th, which is when the winner will be announced.
“This contest offers students a priceless opportunity to get a foot in the door of the most amazing and inspirational industry.” said Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley “In addition to the work experience and the cash prize, it offers a great opportunity to make contacts, network, see the industry at work first hand and maybe even secure a job offer.”
That's right, there is also a cash prize of £7,500! That's not bad for a college kid just getting started!
You might be wondering why I quoted Euros instead of dollars though. Unfortunately the rules state you must be a resident of the UK. You can still let a few British friends know about this competition.
Oliver Brunt, the winner of the 2011 Next Generation Award, is currently in his work experience. He has already completed one month working for McLaren, which I am sure was a great experience, and will start at Peugeot soon. Oliver is an Industrial Design student.
“The month I spent at McLaren was one of the greatest experiences of my life.” said Brunt. “It may sound like an exaggeration, but I’ve seen and done things most people will never have the chance to do...I am looking forward to my future placements, but I will never forget my time at McLaren."
Oliver Brunt’s winning idea combines a new kind of active head-up display, known as SHUD – Social Heads-Up Display – that uses sophisticated graphics and can employ the whole of a car’s screen as its ‘canvas’. The SHUD system conveys a new level of real-time car-to-car communication to provide drivers with a much better standard of information, presented more attractively and without distraction. Interesting idea and this was smart, original, and captivating enough to give Brunt this incredible opportunity.
If you want to win an awesome automotive internship visit: http://nextgen.autocar.co.uk/
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