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This summer, Let’s Detroit launched its first Summer Intern Series for 132 college students interning at Ancor Automotive, Autokiniton, Bosch, Ford Motor Company, Magna International, Meritor, and Rocket Companies. The interns came from diverse departments within each organization, including IT, cybersecurity, engineering, finance, communications, marketing, and sales. The series provided participants with opportunities to engage with young professionals in the area, grow their networks, learn professional development skills, and explore the region through in-person events and virtual workshops.   

Kick-Off Networking Event  

The series kicked off with a networking event at Detroit Shipping Company, where interns had the opportunity to network with one another while supporting a local restaurant in Detroit.  

Virtual Workshop No. 1: Networking 101  

The first virtual workshop in the series was led by Let’s Detroit Ambassador and Detroit Young Professionals (DYP) President Michael Wheeler. Wheeler shared his experience with networking and how it led him to unique opportunities, including his position with DYP. He also reviewed best practices and provided participants with recommendations to improve this skill, encouraging them not to be afraid to get out there and connect with others. 

“Every person you add to your network opens more opportunity for you,” said Wheeler. 

Best practices include:  

• Identify the type of people you want to add to your network and find where you can meet them and build those connections 
• Say “yes” to social invitations and actually show up  
• Make solid plans with connections to strengthen bonds  
• Listen more than you talk  
• Use social media to stay connected  
• Be authentic  

Virtual Workshop No. 2: Transitioning from Classroom to Workforce  

In the second virtual workshop, Let’s Detroit Ambassadors Haley Rusicka from Magna, Keivin Lewis from Meritor, and Marjace Miles from Ford presented their top tips for entering the workforce and what they wish they would’ve known as they started their careers. Each had unique experiences and recommendations, providing interns with helpful information and guidance as they work to make the most out of their internships.  

Tips include:  

• Go the extra mile. You just did exactly what your supervisor asked you to do? Great! In school that’s an A; in your career that is a B. What additional insights could you bring? How could you evolve the idea? What value cand you add? – Marjace Miles, Ford Motor Company 
• Keep an organized email. Create folders and rules, learn to color code meetings, take 30 minutes each morning to check emails, etc. – Keivin Lewis, Meritor  
• Be curious. Having that curiosity not only helps you learn, but shows you care. In addition, it will help you find your passion if you don’t know it already. – Haley Rusicka, Magna International 

Virtual Workshop No. 3: CEO Spotlight with Ancor Automotive’s Jose Flores  

In the third virtual workshop, interns heard from Ancor Automotive’s Chief Executive Officer Jose Flores. As a 33-year-old who has quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become chief executive officer, Flores provided tips for excelling in your career and setting career goals. He also reviewed the importance of internships.  

Tips for setting career goals include: 

• Set short, mid and long goals even before your internship starts. 
• First dilemma: work for a giant trendy company and be part of the system or work for a small to mid-size company and make a change 
• You choose the company and boss you want to work for, not the company. THIS IS KEY.  

Virtual Workshop No. 4: Personal Finance and Budgeting 

In the final virtual workshop of the series, interns heard from Jessica Willis, chief executive officer and founder of PocketNest. PocketNest is financial wellness platform that coaches millennials and Gen-Xers to financial wellness and helps organizations boost recruitment, retention, and productivity through employee wellness programs, retention, and productivity. Interns learned about the 10 themes of financial planning and where to start. Willis reviewed relevant themes for the interns, including debt and retirement planning – which is important to start even in college – and answered questions from interns such as how to compare compensation packages and how to be strategic with credit cards. Her top tip: BUILD GOOD FINANCIAL HABITS EARLY.  

Detroit City FC Soccer Match and Downtown Detroit City Institute Tour  

In addition to the virtual workshops, interns were provided with two opportunities to experience and explore Southeast Michigan. One of the opportunities was a Detroit City FC game. As an exciting sporting experience in a diverse and dynamic neighborhood, this was a great opportunity for interns to experience a unique asset in the region while building their networks. The second was a walking tour of downtown Detroit led by City Institute, during which interns learned about major landmarks, new developments, and historical spots from an insider’s perspective. Tour participants included interns from the Detroit region and several interns visiting from outside the state. Both learned more about downtown than they expected.   

Let’s Detroit is excited to continue the Summer Intern Series in 2023. If you are interested in participating, be sure to visit our Work Here page to learn more about our sponsor companies and find an internship with one of them. You can also connect with a Let’s Detroit Ambassador from one of their companies on the Grow Your Network page. If you recently graduated, check out the job board to find awesome full-time opportunities at these companies as well.