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Meet Garrett Gilstorff, a recent Oakland University graduate with a B.S. in Computer Science. As a Systems Engineering Admin with Magna International, Garrett is excited to use his tech skills to enable Magna’s path to innovation. Read more about his background, current position, why he loves working at Magna, and how the culture at Magna enables him to enjoy his passions outside of work.

1. Introduce yourself!

My name is Garrett Gilstorff. I recently graduated from Oakland University with a B.S in Computer Science. I am currently a Systems Engineering Admin with Magna International.

2. What is your current role at Magna?

My current role at Magna is a Systems Engineering Admin. As a kid, I always had a love for technology and knew that this was my passion and, someday, this is what I would do. I was always a very tech savy individual and things came very naturally to me. One of the biggest things that drew my attention to Magna was the culture. Everywhere I looked, the company was doing something for the community in some way, shape, or form.

3. What are some of the opportunities you’ve had at Magna?

I had the opportunity to be involved as a campus ambassador during the time I was interning with the company. This allowed me to be a contact on campus for the company. This involved going to career fairs and helping those around campus get an idea of what Magna was truly about and the goals and visions of the company.

4. What does a typical day look like?

Each day is very different. This is one of the reasons that I love coming to work every day. I never know what to expect for that day. Some days I will be working alongside my colleagues to fix software and network issues within our division, and other days I will be running network cables for another building. I never know what to expect.

5. How would you describe the company culture at Magna?

If I had to summarize the company culture in one word, it would definitely be connected. Magna is one of those places that just feels like home. Each day I walk in, I am always greeted by someone and it’s easy to have a conversation with those people. If I am ever having a problem that I do not know the answer to, I know that I can ask anyone here for some guidance, and they will not think twice about helping me out or pointing me in the right direction.

6. Why should young talent explore careers at Magna?

There are many reasons that young talent should explore Magna. One of those being Magna’s global presence. Magna is a leading global automotive supplier with operations in over 27 countries. This provides opportunities for young professionals to work in a global and diverse environment and gain international experience. Another reason is innovation and technology. Magna is at the forefront of developing innovative technologies for the automotive industry.

Employees have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects and contribute to the future of mobility.

7. What advice would you give young talent searching for careers in the Detroit region today?

My 2 biggest pieces of advice would be to develop technical skills and to network. These 2 things will take you very far. The automotive industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements. It is important for young talent to acquire and hone technical skills such as coding, data analysis, artificial intelligence, or robotics, which are in high demand in the industry. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and utilize online platforms to network with professionals in the Detroit Region. Building connections can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights, and open doors for potential career growth.

8. What advice would you give your younger self? Or what advice do you wish someone would have given you when you were starting out in your career?

Don’t be afraid to learn. There is no such thing as a failure. Use this as an opportunity to grow and learn. Take the initiative to learn something or be the lead on a project. This shows that you want to be there and that you are willing to learn to get the job done.

9. What do you like to do outside of work? How does your job or location in the region enable you to pursue this passion or activity?

I love going to the gym and being fit. This is probably my favorite past time. There are many gyms around my area that have the things that I look for in a gym. This enables me to have the best tools in my hands to achieve the goals that I want.

10. Are you from Detroit? If not, why did you choose to locate here? If you are a Detroit native, why did you choose to stay?

I am from Monroe, MI which is about 30 minutes south of Detroit. One of the reasons I chose to stay in this community is because of the people. There is just nothing like the Metro Detroit community. The opportunity to grow and thrive in this environment is unmatched.

I also chose to stay in the region mainly because of my family being here. One of my favorite things to do is explore Downtown Detroit. I love seeing the culture and all of the fun things that there are to do there. Working at Magna has enabled me to enjoy my passions and hobbies after work by the flexible hours and start times. Magna is a very understanding company that wants you to be the best person you can be. Work-life balance is very real here at Magna.

Want to meet Garrett and learn more? Register for The Future of Mobility with Magna on July 18, 6-8 pm.