Do you want to apply for an internship at a fast-paced, tech-driven company? Do you enjoy working with challenging projects? If you are looking for professional growth and a challenging role, Tesla might be your ideal workplace. This article will walk you through the steps on how to get an internship at Tesla.
This guide includes several summer Tesla internship opportunities that offer a good compensation package and an excellent work experience program. You will also learn some important tips on how to prepare for your application. Read on as we give you important information about Tesla internships.
What Is Tesla? A Brief Tesla Background
Tesla is an American electric vehicle manufacturer and energy corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas. Aside from electric vehicles, the company also produces energy solutions that use renewable and sustainable energy for homeowners and business owners.
Tesla was established as Tesla Motors, Inc by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in July 2003. Elon Musk is Tesla’s current CEO and became the largest shareholder when the company raised $7.5 million in its Series A funding in 2004.
Tesla Internships: General Overview
Tesla provides internships across different industries. It trains students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and advanced degrees in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and more. Several internship programs start during the summer season.
Tesla provides excellent internship programs and interns also have the opportunity to get hired as full-time employees once they have completed their training.
What Does a Tesla Intern Do?
Tesla interns work on the production lines and focus on industrial design and mechanical engineering. They are given exciting yet demanding projects to enhance their technical skills and expand their knowledge. Experienced mentors train interns who are expected to work as full-time employees at the company.
Tesla Internship Reviews: What Is the Experience Like?
Several Tesla intern reviews on Glassdoor mention that the company provides excellent mentorship for career growth. One intern said, “Having the opportunity to work for a company that is changing the world is exhilarating and rewarding. The projects I get to work on are right up my alley, challenging, and stretch my ability to allow me to learn on the job.”
Interns at Tesla work with talented professionals. As an intern, you will gain valuable experience and learn a lot. You will also get ownership of your project. Since Tesla has a fast-paced work environment, some interns claim they have heavy workloads and work long hours.
Projects can be stressful, so interns may struggle to balance their life outside of work. However, if you are a person who seeks a challenging role and a transformative experience, Tesla is a great company for you.
Is It Hard to Get an Internship at Tesla?
Yes, it may be hard to get an internship at Tesla because the company has a high standard for hiring new employees. To be considered as a candidate, you must demonstrate your technical skills. You will need to provide your resume and complete the online application form. If you are selected during the screening process, the hiring managers will call you for an interview.
According to several intern interview reviews on Glassdoor, the interview process can be challenging. One intern shared their experience and said, “The interview was extremely technical and centered on the required skill sets for the position I was applying to.”
Tesla Intern Salaries: How Much Does a Tesla Internship Pay?
Glassdoor reports that Tesla interns typically earn an hourly rate of $32 in the United States. The salary of a Tesla intern ranges from $11 to $60 per hour. This may vary depending on the location and position you are applying for. For instance, Tesla interns in Fremont, California, earn an average of $66,945 per year, equivalent to $33.47 per hour.
How to Apply for a Tesla Internship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Intensive preparation is required when applying for a Tesla internship. Your skillset and interview technique are fundamental to your success. Listed below are some steps you should consider when applying to Tesla internship programs.
Step 1: Look for Internship Openings at Tesla
Visit the company’s official website to find available internships that are aligned with your field. In the United States, the company hires interns throughout the whole year. Select specific internship opportunities that are based on your educational background and skills. You can also use other job sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor to find Tesla internship programs.
Step 2: Create Your Resume
After a thorough review of the job description, take note of the requirements and qualifications stated by the company. Evaluate your abilities and experiences and match them to the internship position you’re interested in. Recruiters must see why they should hire you based on your qualifications.
An effective internship resume is an excellent opportunity to showcase what you can do for the company. Once everything is set, you can fill out the online application form and submit it together with your resume and cover letter, if one is required too.
Step 3: Prepare for Interviews
While waiting for the call or email from the recruiters, you should prepare yourself for the interview process. Tesla’s HR department will usually handle the initial interviews with potential candidates. You must be able to explain in detail all the information you have included on your resume.
After your initial discussion with HR, you will have a technical interview with the hiring managers. They will ask questions relevant to the position you are applying for during the second interview round.
How to Get an Internship at Tesla: Internship Opportunities in 2022
Computer science internships are offered at Tesla. You will find plenty of tech internship positions at this company. In this section, we provide you with some internship opportunities at Tesla, including the skills and eligibility requirements, the location, and the role description.
Immigration Intern
- Location: Fremont, CA, Austin TX
- Eligibility Requirements: One to two years of experience in immigration
- Skill Requirements: Adept problem-solving skills, excellent organizational skills, strong communication skills, team-oriented, can multitask
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: May or June 2022
The immigration intern will provide administrative support to the team. You will be assigned to store and organize documents, update status records of Tesla employees, and distribute document copies when requested.
To succeed in this role, you must be proficient in Microsoft Office, customer services, be a detail-oriented person, and should be able to work under pressure.
Vehicle Controls Intern
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled in a degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical, automotive, and electrical engineering, or any other relevant field
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in C or C++, adept skills in MATLAB or Python, previous experience in model-based control design, in-depth knowledge of dynamic models of mechanical, electrical, or thermal systems
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: May or June 2022
As a vehicle controls intern, you will handle vehicle dynamics control, motor control, and battery management algorithm projects. You will work with engineers to test, debug, and implement the control algorithms you have created. You will monitor the performance of these control algorithms using analysis tools.
Design Quality Intern
- Location: Fremont, CA
- Eligibility Requirements: Pursuing an advanced degree in engineering or any other similar field, must complete Color Blindness and Color Vision Skill Test
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in automotive components, able to use Microsoft Office tools, excellent communication and problem-solving skills
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: January or February 2022
You will be responsible for coordinating with suppliers and giving instructions about the target product. During the development stages, you will evaluate the aesthetic aspects of the components. You will also support chassis engineering, thermal engineering, and safety system teams.
Information Security Intern
- Location: Fremont, CA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
- Skill Requirements: Proficiency in Atlassian products, able to use the Microsoft 360 Suite and DLP solutions, adept knowledge of network and data security, familiar with application security and policy prevention management, knowledge of risk assessment frameworks
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: January or February 2022
The primary duty of the information security intern is to ensure the security of the company’s assets, data, and infrastructure. You will respond to data incidents and help monitor system security. You will collaborate with the team in creating policies and incident plans. You will also help the team in executing IT SOX walk-throughs.
Car Design Intern
- Location: Hawthorne, CA
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Transportation Design, Vehicle Design, Automotive Design, or Industrial Design
- Skill Requirements: Solid skills in interior and exterior design, strong skills in converting 2D sketches to 3D sketches using poly modeling, Alias, and Clay, excellent communication skills
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: January or February 2022
Car design interns create designs for cars. You will help the team in concept modeling using Alias or Clay. This internship may lead to a full-time role at Tesla. Aside from car design, you may be assigned other tasks depending on your abilities and skillset.
Sales Engineering Intern
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled in a degree program in electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, or software engineering or related fields
- Skill Requirements: Proficient in Python, background in software tools, knowledge of software requirements and specifications documentation, able to use Microsoft Office programs, understanding of battery systems, power conversion, and grid systems
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: May or June 2022
You will create software tools for the sales engineering process in this role. You will assist the sales team in assessing market opportunities. Working with the sales engineers, you will also complete site designs. You will be assigned to coordinate with the clients to identify ways to improve the Tesla battery system.
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Finance Automation Intern
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Eligibility Requirements: Enrolled in an undergrad degree program in data science, data engineering, software engineering, computer science, programming, or equivalent
- Skill Requirements: Team player, good time management skills, multitasking skills, background in website automation, document automation, process transformation, able to develop automation using C#, data, and analytics, finance transformation
- Length: N/A
- Start Date: January 2022
You will assist the team in developing and improving automation solutions. You will also guide the team in solving issues during the project delivery. To succeed in this position, you should have previous experience or a willingness to learn about databases, programming, system integrations, and data capturing or extraction.
People Analytics Intern
- Location: Austin, TX
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in math, statistics, psychology, or human resource management
- Skill Requirements: Experience in Excel, background with data visualization, good communication skills, strong management skills, resourcefulness, analytical skills
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: January 2022
In this position, you will be responsible for creating reposts using data visualization tools such as Excel. You will also review all reports to ensure their accuracy. You will support the People Insights team with daily tasks, including data visualization and people analytic development.
Pathway to START Program Intern
- Location: Waco, TX
- Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma or GED, driver’s license, and a clean driving record, at least 18 years old, should pass the eight-week training sessions with a minimum score requirement of 85 percent
- Skill Requirements: Can lift up to 60 lbs, attention to detail, basic computer skills, team player
- Length: N/A
- Start Date: N/A
You will undergo the eight-week service training to learn mechanical and electrical skills. This is a blended training program where you will complete virtual lessons and learn about Tesla vehicle products. You should follow the safety measures required at all times.
Energy – Electrical Design Intern
- Location: Sparks, NV
- Eligibility Requirements: Currently pursuing an engineering degree
- Skill Requirements: Experience in Altium Designer, knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, adept skills in debugging and troubleshooting
- Length: 12 weeks
- Start Date: May or June 2022
Some of the primary duties of an energy-electrical design intern are PCB layout, simulation, schematic capture, and system validation. Once hired, you will participate in factory acceptance tests. You will also design electrical schematics and interconnections.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Tesla Internship
Ace Your Interview
You will be asked some technical and behavioral interview questions during this process. Tesla will evaluate your skills based on your previous projects and experiences. Preparation is the key to standing out in your interview. Practice confidently answering challenging questions based on your resume. You must also prepare to answer technical questions about the position you are applying for.
Grow Your Network
Another way to improve your chances of getting hired at Tesla is networking. Connect with professionals working at Tesla and demonstrate your interest in the company. Tesla also recruits candidates from colleges and universities. Do some research to see whether Tesla will be conducting job or college fairs near you.
Attend a Coding Bootcamp
Coding bootcamps are worth looking into, as they have gained popularity in recent years. Many career switchers are currently opting for non-traditional paths for a successful career in tech. By attending a bootcamp you can specialize in a specific skillset and with the help of the bootcamp’s career services, you can find a job within six months of graduating.
Hence, if you want to increase your chances of getting an internship at Tesla, you may want to do a bit of research into how a bootcamp can help you achieve that.
Should I Apply for an Internship at Tesla?
Yes, you should apply for an internship at Teska because it is a great tech company to work for. You will experience working on exciting projects in a fast-paced environment, which will help you in your professional development.
You will learn from talented engineers and colleagues in a company with excellent facilities and outstanding technologies. Working as an intern at Tesla will give you an exceptional 12-week internship experience.
Tesla Internships FAQ
Yes, there is a summer internship program at Tesla. Several positions begin in May or June and end around August or September.
Yes, it is worth pursuing an internship at Tesla. It is a great learning experience for beginners. They will learn a lot while earning a competitive salary and teaming up with intelligent and talented professionals.
Yes, Tesla hires interns as full-time employees according to their skills and job performance. The company trains interns through challenging projects and treats them as full-time employees during their internship.
First, you should search for Tesla internship programs available in your location and relevant to your field of studies. Review the qualifications and job description. Prepare the necessary documents, such as your resume, and submit them with the online application form. You can find internship opportunities on the company’s website and third-party sites like Indeed and Glassdoor.
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