Career in Hockey

[NextBobbyOrr 0]

So I'm still pretty young (14), but I think I know what I'd like to do for a living. Even if it may sound weird, I really want to become an equipment manufacturer. Maybe join one of the big name company's or make my own. It'd be so cool to actually make the gear, that tons of players worldwide use. That would be sick. Does anybody know what university courses I'd have to be taking? I'm pretty sure it'd be something like engineering, physics or something close to that. Does anybody have any ideas?

[InTeN5ITy 7]

If you actually want to be the one manufacturing the equipment then it would be a good idea to concentrate on an engineering degree. If you want to start your own company you should be majoring in some type of a business degree ex. Business Management or marketing .. Good Luck

[rachael7 1]

Mechanical engineering with a concentration in design and manufacturing. Some work in materials science, composites, etc. And definitely seek out some coursework in design for human interface, ergonomics, etc. All things you can get at any reputable engineering school through the usually available course options in an ME program. As mentioned above, if you're thinking about starting your own company, at least a minor in business and/or management wouldn't be a bad idea as well. At this point, focus on keeping your grades up, kicking ass in math and science, rocking the SATs, and taking AP classes if you can when the time comes.

[IniNew 53]

Mechanical engineering with a concentration in design and manufacturing. Some work in materials science, composites, etc. And definitely seek out some coursework in design for human interface, ergonomics, etc. All things you can get at any reputable engineering school through the usually available course options in an ME program. As mentioned above, if you're thinking about starting your own company, at least a minor in business and/or management wouldn't be a bad idea as well. At this point, focus on keeping your grades up, kicking ass in math and science, rocking the SATs, and taking AP classes if you can when the time comes.

Don't waste your time on AP classes. The benefit is not there. Unless you can easily cruise 100's in them. The extra points they add to your GPA are easily eclipsed by the fact that regular classes are so much easier. If you can maintain a very high GPA in regulars, then theres no reason to switch.

[Evomike1 0]

AP classes are a huge waste of time, dual enroll in your local community college. Nothing beats taking the real class with a real college professor.

[DarkStar50 679]

Start designing now. You'll need the practice and the vendors are already working on gear for 3, 4, 5 years from now.

[Trooper 8]

Considering how many more applicants there are than spots recently, there is no reason not to take AP courses. I took them (many years ago) and was able to skip Calc I my freshman year.

As for being an equipment maker, there are a couple things. One, you need the know-how to design something, mechanical engineering knowledge,physics, biomechanics. Then, if you want to run a business, you need that knowledge as well.

You don't graduate college as an engineer, you graduate with the very basic fundamentals to get hired so you can become an engineer. You will learn more in a year on the job than in four years in school.

Do internships, co-ops, whatever to get experience in materials engineering and physics. If this is what you want to do, go for it.

[Husker 0]

The good schools look for AP classes, they carry college credits, and the weighted GPA looks good. No reason not to take AP classes.

[chippa13 1844]

Step 1: get a job in a shop that does equipment repairs. Before you can build something you need to have some idea of how it is made and nothing beats hands on knowledge. Then you can worry about what college major to have 4 years from now.

[acollette49 0]

take a look at schools that offer industiral design degrees and see what they require to get into the programs.

[AIREAYE 248]

Im in the same boat, but if you dont plan on going to school in the States, you dont need to worry about SATs and AP or w/e

[greech 4]

Look into Industrial Design. It's a balance of studying the form and function of a product. Having talked to folks at Bauer, as well as at Reebok (non-hockey people) and many other companies, it is an extremely valuable degree to have when going into that type of field. Like every field, there are name schools that sound like great places to study at, as well as schools that have a really good rep inside the industry. I'm currently in ID, so if you have any questions or want to just bounce some stuff off of someone, shoot me a PM.

[dsjunior1388 81]

The good schools look for AP classes, they carry college credits, and the weighted GPA looks good. No reason not to take AP classes.

Not to mention it can save you thousands of dollars.

[IniNew 53]

If you can make a 100 in a regular class, but only an 80 in an AP class, then it benefits you to take the regular class. That's a very simplified example but regardless. Dual Credit courses are the best way to go to receive college credit while in High School.

[dsjunior1388 81]

If you can make a 100 in a regular class, but only an 80 in an AP class, then it benefits you to take the regular class. That's a very simplified example but regardless. Dual Credit courses are the best way to go to receive college credit while in High School.

Except that you pay full price for the Dual Credit courses, which at a community college is at least $200 and is much higher if you take it at a university, and an AP class you just need to pass an $80 test. It's a cheaper, easier way to walk into college with as many as 15 credits all ready.

[Neo5370 132]

Step 1: get a job in a shop that does equipment repairs. Before you can build something you need to have some idea of how it is made and nothing beats hands on knowledge. Then you can worry about what college major to have 4 years from now.

I'm not sure if I am interpreting your post correctly but if I am I respectfully disagree. Say A and B both have the same grades from the same university in the same relevant major, for the OP, some kind of hard science/engineering. Are you suggesting that b/c A had a part time job in highschool sharpening skates and fixing equipment is more qualified than B to work in equipment design?

I can see the logic, but I think if you compare the type of work done in a pro-shop and the type of knowledge imparted by the course of study, A doesn't really know that much more than B.

B will understand hollows, radius, and the physics of hockey equipment (lets face it, for someon w/ an engineering degree) just as well as A.

In order for A to have a signficant advantage he will have to have come across some truly unique situations which would require much more exposure than A would get from working in a pro-shop part time.

[IniNew 53]

The end point my be the same, but going into it knowing what something are will be measurably easier than going in with no previous knowledge.