Ford Internship Programs: Ignite Your Future

Ford Motor Company offers a variety of internship programs designed to provide students and recent graduates with invaluable real-world experience and career development opportunities. These programs span across diverse business areas, from engineering and marketing to finance and creative design, allowing interns to contribute to a global automotive leader while exploring their career options. The Ignite Internship program, in particular, serves as a platform for nurturing future leaders, especially in STEM fields.

Ignite Internship Program

The Ignite Internship program welcomes first and second-year college students, providing them with hands-on learning, professional growth, and networking opportunities. The program is designed to immerse students in a dynamic environment where they can develop essential skills and gain exposure to the automotive industry.

Types of Ford Internships

Ford provides internships in various business areas, catering to students with different academic backgrounds and career interests.

Engineering Internships

In a Ford engineering internship, students collaborate with engineering professionals and contribute to real product innovation. Within engineering, students can specialize in areas such as:

Aerospace
Systems Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering

These internships require a strong foundation in relevant technical fields, as well as essential soft skills to support their technical expertise.

Read also: The Kyle Ford Transfer Story

Marketing Internships

Ford’s marketing internships allow students to explore and innovate marketing strategies and research within a global company. Interns gain insights into market analysis, advertising campaigns, and brand management.

Finance Internships

As a finance intern in Ford’s Credit internship program, students gain hands-on experience managing and analyzing a major corporation’s finances. Interested students should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant major, such as finance, business, economics, or communications.

Supply Chain Internships

Interns in Ford’s supply chain programs help industry professionals solve some of the most challenging problems facing large corporations today. Supply chain interns must be studying areas like finance, economics, business administration, supply chain management, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or accounting.

Creative Design Internships

In Ford’s creative design internship, students actively design products using cutting-edge digital technology. Throughout the program, interns gain experience in user interaction design, crafting vehicle exteriors, interiors, and components, and building full-size clay models.

Human Resources Internships

Ford human resources interns work on meaningful projects that support the company’s objectives and priorities. Interns in the Ford Motor Company Human Resources program must be in the first year of a master’s program, pursuing an MBA, J.D., or a human resources-specific designation, like a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MLIR) degree.

Read also: Explore Henry Ford College

Graduate and Leadership Programs

For every undergraduate or master’s level internship at Ford, the company typically has a graduate or leadership program to match. These programs offer structured rotational experiences designed to develop future leaders.

Strategy and Planning Leadership Program

Ford’s strategy and planning leadership program is a 36-month rotational graduate internship that allows interns to explore and expand skills in both engineering and business.

Marketing Leadership Program

The marketing leadership program at Ford is a five-year rotational program that provides a strong foundation in marketing across the different roles and business areas in the company.

Finance Leadership Program

The Ford finance leadership program (FLP) is a three-year rotational program for MBA graduates.

Creative Design Program

In Ford’s creative design program for college graduates, interns build real-world skills in designing features and full-scale models that influence actual Ford product offerings. Students must be near completion of a bachelor’s degree in transportation or industrial design or a master’s degree in fine arts.

Program Details

Ford internships are typically 10-12 week programs during the summer, providing hands-on experience and career development. Interns earn competitive salaries and may receive a benefits package for the duration of their program.

Eligibility

Ford internships are open to students who have finished their third year of undergraduate study or are in the first year of a master’s degree program. Eligible students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or be in the first year of a master’s program. While GPA requirements differ for each program, students typically need at least a 3.0 to be considered for Ford internship programs.

The Internship Experience

Interns at Ford have many opportunities to learn and grow as professionals. At the end of the program, interns present a final project that both highlights their achievements to management and senior leadership at the company and provides students with tangible work they can use to demonstrate their skills moving forward. Previous interns rate their experience at Ford a 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor and 98% report they’d recommend interning at Ford. Positive reviews highlight a great team and company culture and note ample networking opportunities.

How to Apply

When applying for an internship at Ford, you must complete your application through their online portal.

Application Tips

Resume: Highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Cover Letter: While a cover letter isn’t a required field on the online application, including a cover letter is important. Your cover letter allows you to show more of your personality and passions outside of your resume.
Assessments: After submitting an application, you may need to complete a series of assessments. One of the primary assessments is a personality and behavioral test that determines how well you fit within Ford’s company culture.
Interviews: If your application and assessments meet the mark, you’ll go through a phone screening interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. If you’re moved forward following a phone interview, the next step is an in-person interview. Practicing common interview questions is the best way to go into an interview feeling confident. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends or family members to help you practice.

Skills Required

Ford places a strong emphasis on skills, regardless of the program. Interpersonal skills are crucial for working effectively in a team, and employers like Ford want to know you’ll fit in the company culture outside of handling your day-to-day job duties. Having the right skills is what gets you hired. Beyond your work and education experience, remember to include relevant and demonstrable skills on your resume.

Success Stories

Emily Johnson, a student in Michigan State University’s online M.A. in Strategic Communication, landed a competitive internship with Ford Motor Company. The hybrid internship, based at the company’s Dearborn headquarters, focuses on employee communications - a blend of event coordination, feature writing, and content creation. “It’s exactly the kind of work I’ve been preparing for,” she said. “It’s a mix of everything I’ve done at MSU and during my other internships, and I’m really excited to bring what I’ve learned into this new role.”

Ford ASSET Master Automotive Service Technology Degree Requirements

Explore the classes that will teach you in six semesters to understand and repair the various mechanical and technological systems that keep Ford cars running smoothly. Gain knowledge and skills in:

Automotive shop safety
Engine repair and rebuilding
Brake systems
Suspension and steering
Automotive electrical systems
Starting and charging systems
Manual and automatic transmissions
Automobile computers and ignition systems

General education requirements help you build practical soft skills employers are seeking. Study subjects including mathematics, communications, business, science and humanities. Emphasizes effective business writing and cover letters, memoranda, reports, application letters, and resumes. This course includes the fundamentals of business communication and an introduction to international communication. Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Introduces the application of fundamental business principles to local, national, and international forums. This course examines the relationship of economic systems, governance, regulations, and law upon business operations. It surveys the concepts of career development, business ownership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing, management, operations, human resources, regulations, and business ethics. This course introduces basic computer terminology, file management, and PC system components. Provides an overview of office application software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. Includes the use of a web browser to access the Internet. Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Covers mathematical material designed for career and technical students. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and vectors. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Covers the fundamentals of financial mathematics. Topics include pricing, taxes, insurance, interest, annuities, amortization, and investments. Covers safety instruction in the shop and on the automobile. Emphasis on the proper use and care of test equipment, precision measuring and machining equipment, gaskets, adhesives, tubing, wiring, jacks, presses, and cleaning equipment and techniques. Differential tuition rates apply. This course has admissions requirements. Introduces vehicle electricity, basic electrical theory, circuit designs, and wiring methods. This course focuses on multimeter usage and wiring diagrams. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST requirements. Covers the operation and theory of a vehicle battery, testing, service, and repair of starting and charging systems including voltage testing, draw testing. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST program requirements. Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Restricted to AAS-Master Automobile Service Technology (Ford ASSET) majors only. Provides a comprehensive study of the theory, operation, diagnosis, and repair of vehicle accessories. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply. Focuses on the inspection and testing of typical computerized engine control and ignition systems. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Introduces the basic theory of automotive braking systems including operation, diagnosis, basic repair of disc and drum friction assemblies, and basic hydraulic braking systems. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST program accreditation requirements. Focuses on diagnosis and service of suspension and steering systems and components. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply. Covers design, diagnosis, inspection, service of suspension, and steering systems used on light trucks and automobiles including power steering and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) service. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Focuses on the diagnosis and repair of automotive manual transmissions, transaxles, clutches, and related components. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Continues to build upon the principles that are expected to be understood by students. Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Restricted to AAS-Master Automobile Service Technology (Ford ASSET) majors only. Focuses on the diagnosis and repair of automotive differentials, four wheel drive units, and all-wheel drive units. This course meets MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply. Covers diagnostics, test procedures, and repair to automotive foundation braking system. This course also introduces the components, types of Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), and traction control systems of current vehicles. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST program accreditation requirements. Covers how to perform basic engine diagnosis to determine condition of engine including engine support systems. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Focuses on the diagnosis and repair of automotive fuel emission control systems, filter systems, and spark plugs. This course also includes maintenance to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. Differential tuition rates apply . Covers the operation of electrical systems including vehicles safety concerns of vehicle lighting systems, Supplemental Inflatable Restraints (SIR), windshield wipers, driver warning systems, and vehicle accessories. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST program requirements. Differential tuition rates apply. Focuses on the service of cylinder head, valve-train components, and cooling system components including engine removal, re-installation, and re-mounting systems. This course meets MLR/AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Restricted to AAS-Master Automobile Service Technology (Ford ASSET) majors only. Focuses on the disassembly, diagnosis, and reassembly of the automotive engine including the diagnostic and repair procedures for the engine block and cylinder head assemblies. This course meets MAST requirements. Covers diagnosis, principles of hydraulics, principles of electronic components, power flow, theory of operation including removal, installation, and replacement of transmission/transaxle and components. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Covers the diagnosis, repair, and rebuild of automatic transmissions and transaxles including the hydraulic, electronic, and mechanical components. This course meets MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. Restricted to AAS-Master Automobile Service Technology (Ford ASSET) majors only. Covers the diagnosis and service of vehicle heating and air conditioning systems and their components. This course meets AST/MAST requirements. Differential tuition rates apply . Focuses on the diagnosis and repair of electronic fuel injection systems and modern exhaust systems. This course meets AST/MAST requirements.

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