Just applied for an internship at Ford

"E. Julius" (soonerfrommi)
12/13/2014 at 14:03 • Filed to: None

Now just 756,385 applications to go. I've got plenty in mind already, but does Oppo have any recommendations?

DISCUSSION (10)

promoted by the color red > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 14:05

Tesla!

E92M3 > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 14:11

Where do you live, what's your major, and are you open to doing an internship in another state during summers?

Nibby > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 14:12

Jalopnik!

E. Julius > E92M3
12/13/2014 at 14:31

I currently live in Paris (study abroad), but I'm from Michigan. I'm open to going just about anywhere.

As far as my qualifications and experience, I have basic programming knowledge (Python), and work experience in academic research and manufacturing operations with tier 1 automotive suppliers, one of which I still work with remotely from Paris (thanks internet).

Last summer I was a member of the core team responsible for implementing new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software in all divisions of the supplier I worked for. This went from operator–level manufacturing to HR to accounting to executive level strategic planning. I have experience with internal consulting methods, auditing, cost analysis, project management, plant–wide hardware purchasing/installation, ERP software configuration/implementation, Microsoft Project, and of course Word/Powerpoint/Excel.

It was a fairly small company (~200 employees), but it gave me a really good opportunity to be deeply involved in what I did. I was included in planning meetings, and really had to learn every part of the business and the software we were working with, as only 3 other people were specifically dedicated to this MASSIVE project. I also have a good knowledge of automotive powertrain systems (see my recent comments on Jake–Pilot of the Murder Sofa's post), but I'm not an engineer.

I study economics, which I find really interesting and is obviously helpful for business, but it's making it tough to find good positions. Even for non–engineering roles people want engineering majors so that they can be knowledgeable about the product (understandably), but it's difficult to convey that I'm not some thumb–up–his–ass business major that thinks a business degree is worth anything.

I realize this went beyond the questions you asked, but I tried to flesh my story out a bit in case you (or anybody else reading this) is looking for candidates.

E. Julius > promoted by the color red
12/13/2014 at 14:33

Tesla would be awesome, although they seem to be even stricter about "WE ONLY NEED ENGINEERS" than the bigger OEMs. I'll probably send an application just as a long shot, but I'm not very hopeful.

E. Julius > Nibby
12/13/2014 at 14:34

I can do some decent writing if I actually take the time to proof–read, but I imagine there's thousands of desperate journalism majors (poor souls) ahead of me in line. It's a maybe though, if I'm bored one day.

E. Julius > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 14:42

On top of everything I've already ranted about in my other comments, I go to the University of Oklahoma (long story), whose on–campus recruitment consists almost entirely of oil/energy companies, which I have no interest in working for.

dontbethatguy > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 15:01

Is transfering an option for you?? Id suggest Michigan but im a bit biased... Also, the Big 3 all require a GPA >=3.0 so if you dont have that forget it. Someone i know got hired (his interviewer was an engineer not an HR person) with a 2.8 and was fired his first day when HR found out his GPA wasnt >=3.0. He ended up working for BMW.

E. Julius > dontbethatguy
12/13/2014 at 15:07

GPA is not a problem (3.5+). Although I complained about OU, I really don't have any desire to transfer. I love my school, and knowing the weird winding paths most people's careers take, I wouldn't transfer for my last year just to slightly increase my job opportunities in a very specific industry.

Also, toured U of M and hated it. Not the school for me, although a bunch of people from my high school go there.

dontbethatguy > E. Julius
12/13/2014 at 15:22

Thats fair. To each his own. Im sure you will be absolutely fine. Good luck!