Responsibility takes center stage in Tesla's renowned internship program, where interns are not only entrusted with real-world projects, but also empowered to shape the future of sustainable energy.

 

Mark O'Donnell, a Junior studying Electrical Engineering, assumed the role of technical program manager intern within Tesla's new product introduction team at the Fremont, California manufacturing facility during the summer of 2023.

 

The essence of Tesla's mission, "expediting the global shift towards sustainable energy," is what initially captivated O'Donnell's interest in joining Tesla's internship program.

 

“Ranging from energy products to electric vehicles, Tesla has made monumental strides in reducing human’s carbon footprint,” O’Donnell said. “ I was captivated by the idea of working on innovative, intricate, and complex products while also having a larger impact on the global community.”

 

O'Donnell's expectations were surpassed as he delved into significant projects, gaining invaluable firsthand experiences.

 

“At Tesla, you are not treated as an intern but as a full-time employee. Most interns are responsible for projects or tasks that are crucial to the company’s success. In my case, I was responsible for implementing changes on the assembly line. Any small mistake during a trial could cause the line to come to a halt, resulting in a loss of thousands of dollars per second,” said O’Donnell. “Because everyone at Tesla is so driven by the company’s mission, employees are always there for one another to help out. As an NPI intern, I was responsible for introducing a new low voltage architecture on the Model Y .This required my to coordinate changes of the low voltage battery, front controller, and firmware.”

 

Tesla's internship program revolves around fostering an inclusive community where interns actively contribute towards a cleaner and safer world.“As an intern with multiple important projects, I was continuously challenged to think of the next steps of a project and have an organized daily schedule. I learned how to run weekly meetings with cross-functional teams, provide feedback to design teams, and receive criticism when my work fell short. As an intern, I would run a weekly meeting with various design teams to discuss mass-down or cost-down opportunities for the Model S, a task usually only for full-time workers.”

 

The transformative impact of a Tesla internship extends beyond professional growth, as O'Donnell reflected on his changed educational outlook post-internship.

“Before joining Tesla, I only viewed school as an opportunity to excel in the class and get good grades. After encountering so many brilliant individuals at Tesla, I have turned my focus on the process of learning rather than receiving a certain grade. In class, I now spend a lot more time attempting to understand the theory of how things work. When one has a great understanding of theory, he or she can apply the knowledge to a variety of use cases.”

 

Tesla's internship program stands as a testament to the power of responsibility in shaping future leaders committed to sustainable innovation.