April 23, 2020
Blog post by Let’s Detroit Campus Ambassador Noah Godlewski
Let me start off by saying I feel ever so fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunities I have had and will hopefully continue to have in the future. I will also say, all my opportunities in both school and work, have been amazing, and full of learning curves. To start, from the first time I took a class at Wayne State I was already a full-time employee at an automotive company, working on the shipping docks as a forklift operator. This meant that almost immediately I had to force myself to learn how to manage my time. I also felt that I needed to find a way to use my work experience as a key feature in not only my career growth but my educational growth as well. Being that I was already in a way working in supply chain this was relatively easy. I would say those were probably two of the most important tasks I had outlined rolling into college.
Now for my experience as I already mentioned it has been amazing. My first internship in production control and logistics taught me so much about how manufacturing facilities work, and I was even given the opportunity to manage my own projects for OEMs. My second internship which was with General Motors in Interior Purchasing was amazing because, like my first internship it allowed me to be in control of my future. I knew it was going to be up to me (with some help from leaderships and mentors) to push myself to be as successful as I can be. This internship was also awesome because it allowed me to really see the automotive industry relationship come together as whole, I had now worked for both a supplier and an OEM. My current internship has been awesome because it has allowed me to work in a position relative to packaging, which is something I was not super familiar with. This position has really taught me how import and how big of a role packaging is. Each internship has also helped me in school as well. Fortunately, many of the tasks I handle or have handled, or the projects I have been/ am apart of at work are extremely relevant to my studies in school. This has certainly helped me out, for me it is a lot easier to learn about something when I have already seen it in the real world. Overall, being a full-time intern and full-time student can be hard at times but is completely worth it! One final note, most interns are offered flexibility with their work hours, and how many they work, making it that much better!!
Network! Network! Network! – In my opinion, networking has one been one of the main driving forces behind having opportunities available to me. Often in due part to networking, one can head into an interview already knowing the interviewee, giving them a boost against the other candidates. Networking will also allow you to find a role model or Mentor which brings me to my next point.
Find a Mentor! Much like networking, Mentors have played a big role in both my opportunities as a student and an intern. Mentors can be someone who may be in a leadership role, or just someone who you trust to help guide you in the decision-making process whether it be in school or in work roles. For me, I have a few I go to for school, and a few I go to for work, all of who’s opinions I respect and appreciate. One of the pieces of advice from one of mentors that has always stuck with me is “Evaluate each opportunity, but do not be scared to jump, or move into a roll that you are unfamiliar with.” This stuck with me because it can apply to both school and work!
Prepare for interviews Interviews can be a scary event to conquer but preparing for them can make them that much easier! One of the best sources is your network and well google. If possible, reach out to someone in your network who works for the company your applying for, or someone with the same type of position, and ask them what kind of questions were asked or if they have any advice for you. Also use google or any other search engine! A lot of companies ask similar styles of questions, many of which you can find online. When you find them, practice your answers to them in advance allowing time to fine tune them!
Internships in unforeseen scenarios In the times we are in like right now, where many companies are feeling the strain of a struggling due to The Coronavirus/Covid-19, some interns are finding that offers or jobs are being rescinded or put aside, or some current interns are even having their hours cut. First, remember this is not personal, and you have not done anything wrong to be put in this position. As many companies foresee financial difficulties in the coming times, they likely will need to find ways to overcome those challenges, and cost cutting is one of the most popular (although no one likes to do it) options. Next, do not stop, just because the company you accepted an offer with is no longer looking for new hires, or interns, that does not mean that no company is. There are many companies that are still hiring right now, get out there and chase that new position! Finally, although you may now be looking elsewhere, stay in touch with those companies, you never know when they may need someone, after all networking and connecting with others is important!
Hopefully, everyone finds this interesting and helpful! Feel Free to connect with me on LinkedIn!!
