3 Illinois universities trying to recruit engineering students at Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Engineers are in-demand right now in the auto industry.

Three Illinois universities are at the Chicago Auto Show in an effort to attract college-bound students to apply to their engineering schools.

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They are creating an avenue into careers in auto manufacturing.

There are all kinds of cool stuff at the Auto Show, including cars built by Northern Illinois University engineering students.

The car is capable of going 75 mph. It will be competing at the Pittsburgh Shootout this summer.

They are using them to help recruit more engineering students to the school.

The Chicago Auto Show is always the best place to see the latest and greatest models developed by engineers in the auto industry: the fastest and the most energy efficient to the most comfortable.

Those engineers are in great demand. And that's why colleges are finding the Auto Show to be prime recruiting grounds.

"If they see the application of engineering through motor sports, maybe they become more interested in pursuing this through their college career," said Sabine Ramirez, a University of Illinois Chicago engineering student.

Students are on-hand from three Illinois state schools and the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Dorian Wike from NIU says this combines his love for engineering with his love for cars.

"I think the thing that interests me the most about engineering is the process of seeing it start as nothing, and get formed and see it made in the real world," Wike said.

Students say the engineering world can be very competitive but also lucrative. And there are lots of companies looking to hire engineers right out of college.

"Everybody's trying to get more engineers. From universities to work out in industry, there's just a huge demand for that," NIU Dean of Engineering College Dave Grewell said.

The University of Illinois won first place at a Grand Prix in Kentucky in the solar-powered car division.

Students believe solar power may be the next step in the evolution of the auto industry.

"As the cost of solar panels comes down, I hope solar cars can become mainstream on our roads," University of Illinois engineering student Connor Magnuson said.