Students Explore Careers Through Career Treks at Tesla HQ and Beyond
Waco, Texas – The Career Center recently hosted 40 Baylor students on a Career Trek to the Tesla Gigafactory and corporate HQ in Austin.
After a chartered bus ride from campus and passing through security at the site, students were met by Tesla factory managers who discussed engineering and operations at the 10-million-square-foot manufacturing facility.
The group was treated to an hour-long tour of the factory, after which the students had the opportunity to network and ask questions about topics ranging from life at the company to internships and the application process.
Career Treks are excursions the Career Center arranges to take students off campus to visit some of the top state and national employers on-site. The treks allow students to learn about the company, network with employees, and get a sense of the actual working environment.
The Career Center arranges multiple Career Treks every fall and spring semester for students to visit numerous companies in a variety of industries.
“This trek allowed students to see firsthand the details of a career at Tesla, a company which is featured at number two on Fortune’s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in 2023, while also networking with Tesla engineers and factory managers,” said Career Center Assistant Director, Amine Qourzal.
Given Tesla's strict policy limiting the number of visitors in a group, students who registered early and had the chance to make the trip were particularly appreciative of the opportunity.
“The insights gained during the tour were invaluable, and it was a privilege to learn more about Tesla's innovative work firsthand,” said MBA student, Danish Noorani.
Giana Grace, a Junior Data Science and Statistics double major from Ft. Worth, said she thinks it’s valuable for students to get a glimpse inside a company like Tesla.
“You know, usually, you have, ‘This is what our company stands for, this is what we do,’ but you don't actually get to see what happens inside,” said Grace. “It was really cool to see that this is an industry I could be working in or contributing to.”
Stephen Gilson, an MBA and MSIS student, was impressed by the scale and innovation of operations at the Gigafactory.
“Just anytime you get to see something that’s a little different from the way everybody else usually does things, it gives you a better perspective,” said Gilson.
Grace said she hopes opportunities for students to go on Career Treks will continue.
“I do have my younger sister on the way next year and she’ll also be an engineering student, so if she could have all of these opportunities, I know that would be great,” Grace said.
Gilson agrees that Career Treks are valuable and beneficial for students.
“Just getting out, networking with a few people – I would say take advantage of it even if you don't want to work there. At least get out, see some people, and let them see you. You never know what that might turn into,” said Gilson.