I previously had no interest in the automotive industry, but after taking a class at SAC in the automotive program I was hooked.
Sometimes a little exposure to a field that you had no interest in or even considered entering, is the exact thing you need to be pushed into that direction. That's how it began for automotive Santa Ana College student Ulysses Vera prior to getting an internship with Tesla Motors.
In his own words, Ulysses shares his experience with Network Kinection and his career pathway from automotive student to Tesla intern.
NK: What influenced your decision to study automotive at Santa Ana College?
My name is Ulysses Vera and I started attending Santa Ana College part time while figured out what major suited me best. I previously had no interest in the automotive industry, but after taking a class at SAC in the automotive program I was hooked. I had a big interest in electric vehicles and after taking several automotive classes I was able to get a job within the industry going from to a tire shop, to a dealership, to an independent, and finally making my way to Tesla.
NK: How did your classes help you at your internship? What struggles, if any, did you face at Tesla?
My class work prepared me to understand the theory behind how several systems worked and allowed me to be a step ahead of other applicants. My initial struggle was learning how to work on a car with zero previous experience. My first time picking up a wrench was at SAC.
Never be afraid of asking questions and always own up to your mistakes and learn from them.
NK: What advice do you have to share with others who are interested in applying for internships within their career field?
I would say internships are an amazing opportunity and help people get a foot in the door. This internship at Tesla allowed me to get a permanent position with the company and is paying me much more that I thought I would be earning. My piece of advice is to never be afraid of asking questions and always own up to your mistakes and learn from them. If you can do that then you will be a step ahead of so many other people within your own industry.
