CDCR hosts automotive and motorsports industry day

Auburn Engineering’s second Automotive and Motorsports Industry Day on Oct. 6 connected 181 students with 13 employers seeking engineering talent for internships, co-ops and full-time positions.

The event, hosted by the Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office, brought together automotive and motorsports companies for recruiting and networking.

Apryl Mullins, director of corporate relations for CDCR, said the smaller, industry-specific format gives students more meaningful time with employers than they typically have at larger career fairs.

“The purpose of any industry day is to match companies who are hiring with students who are looking for jobs,” Mullins said.

The format also gives students more time to learn what companies are looking for, ask questions and make connections.

“The purpose is to educate students about the industry, provide opportunities and create an environment that allows for more focused, meaningful conversations with employers,” Mullins said. “It’s more personal and more casual.”

Aerospace engineering junior Allie Kolber attended the event looking for internship and co-op opportunities. She said in-person events give students something an online application often cannot — direct access to the people making hiring decisions.

“When you submit an application online, I really don’t think it goes anywhere,” Kolber said. “I had the chance to talk to several companies and ask, 'Even if I’m not the candidate you want right now, what can I do to be that candidate?’ It’s just nice having a direct source to that actual company.”

That face-to-face interaction is equally valuable to employers.

Roger Baird, coordinator of the co-op program and entry-level recruiting for Mercedes-Benz, said Auburn students consistently arrive prepared for the recruiting process.

“They’re just very well prepared as far as the way they dress, the way they answer our questions and their appearance,” Baird said. “I think Auburn does a really good job preparing them for not only the interview, but the process to get to that interview stage.”

He said students continue to develop once they enter the co-op program, with their confidence and ability growing noticeably from one work term to the next.

“They become more valuable to the company each time,” he said.

The industry day also included a keynote address from Alba Colón, director of technical partnerships at Hendrick Motorsports, who encouraged students to develop the combination of technical ability, practical experience and communication skills required to succeed in motorsports.

Her message centered on what separates successful race teams — and successful engineers — when everyone has access to many of the same tools and data.

“It starts with people,” Colón said. “You can have all the tools that you imagine in the world, but if you don’t have the commitment, you don’t have the people, you don’t have the teamwork, it doesn’t happen.”

The day after Automotive and Motorsports Industry Day, several companies returned to campus to conduct next-day interviews, an opportunity students also typically see following career fairs. Mullins said Auburn Engineering students have received more than 700 next-day interviews so far this fall.

She said bringing employers directly to Auburn and helping turn those connections into internships, co-ops and full-time employment shows CDCR is fulfilling its mission.

“It’s one of the joys of my life to feel like we can help make these connections happen,” she said.