An Inside View: Stanford Students Turn Connections into Internships at Tesla

By Divine Edem '18, Political Science 

Towards the end of the 2014-2015 school year, BEAM gathered twenty students interested in pursuing careers in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering in collaboration with Tesla, an American automotive and energy storage company based in Palo Alto. The event allowed informational and personal interaction between Tesla staff and Stanford students with opportunities for students to gain internships for the summer.

BEAM Career Educators wanted to host this company visit to help engineering students discover summer internships best suited for their studies and interests. The session granted these students the opportunities to connect and showcase their best efforts and skills in relation to their industry.

The automotive company was chosen as the partner corporation because of its influence in social impact and its appeal to students. Students appreciated the company’s determination to develop energy that improves auto vehicle efficiency with consideration of the future of electricity and the environment.

Hosted at Tesla's headquarters, employees from three departments offered the attendees background and insight on what truly happens as a member of the tech company. Because some of the speakers were Stanford alums, students gained the chance to see their journeys of leaving the Farm and how alumni found work that was meaningful to them.

After discussions of a general overview, participants broke into small groups in which students shared deeper questions about certain departments they were interested in applying for. Generating personal connections at the Tesla event boosted the chance to make lasting impacts on the recruiting managers who might read their resumes and applications.

The event was successful because of the unique opportunity these students gained during the collaboration. Attendees gained an incredible inside view of what it would be like to work at a company in their industry of interest, directly from the employees themselves. In addition, students wanted leave a positive, lasting impression on their potential employers, and it worked. Five students earned internships with Tesla, illustrating the power of open-mindedness and connections.