Last night I attend Ignite Automotive, an evening of automotive themed presentations with a very serious purpose.

There is a widely held belief that the automotive industry is headed toward a human capital crisis. As senior workers exit into retirement, the younger generation of skilled and unskilled workers is showing little interest in pursuing careers in manufacturing--or the auto industry period. Ignite Automotive intends to inspire the next generation.

The evening was filled with engaging speakers from OEMs, automotive suppliers, technology companies, and art schools all pushing the message about how important automotive is to Detroit and how important the people of Detroit are to automotive, no matter what your background.

No one hit this message better than Ignite Auto keynote speaker, Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President Product Design of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) North America.

This industry is like a chose your own adventure. Each choice taking you down your own path. #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

The auto industry is truly for everyone. You decide what it is you want to spend your life doing and there is a good chance there is place for you in automotive. You chose your own adventure.

Obviously automotive needs engineers, basically anyone part of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, but this industry needs so much other talent.

This is much more than engineering. This industry needs skill sets that didn't exist before. @RalphGilles #IgniteAuto pic.twitter.com/4pAKt8EgJz
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

Here are a few unique examples of what is needed:

• Automotive would not be the global industry it is today without its dedicated supply chain making sure all the products are arriving properly and on time.
• Everyone needs legal counsel and lawyers, right?
• Fashion designers, look no further than automotive! We need to to design beautiful and functional interiors.
• Did you know the auto industry built the advertising industry? Automotive continues to need top notch advertising and marketing professionals to create that consumer buzz and demand to get these cars off the lots and into the garages of people around the world.
• Along with being one of the largest industries in the world comes a lot of money. We need accountants to keep it all straight.
• And to accurately meet the demands of the future, we need futurists to help us keep one step ahead.

We nerd out the details. -@RalphGilles, @Chrysler on automotive design. #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

Overall, we need the nerds. Not nerds in the stereotypical sense, but people who are so deeply passionate about what they do. We are a very passionate bunch of people.

But what it's all about is being able to see something born that is part of the world's largest global tech industry.

What motivates @RalphGilles? Seeing something take shape. Giving birth to a car. #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

And lastly, it's important to enjoy your time in automotive. It's a fun and innovative place to be.

This is the time to enjoy the ride in automotive. It's fun and it's innovative. #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

And it's important to note that the automotive industry isn't a scary place to have your career. It is alive and well! But like with any rapidly changing and evolving industry, there will always be obstacles ahead and we need creative and innovative people to help us move forward.

The automotive industry is alive and well but there are some tough things ahead. We need you. -@RalphGilles, @Chrysler #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015

I know I push the automotive industry a lot (what can I say, I'm passionate) but in reality, just make sure you're doing what you love!

Drive your career. Enjoy your own ride. -Elaina Farnsworth, @mobilecomply #IgniteAuto
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) February 10, 2015