Ford Motor Company Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

Ford Motor Company, a historic and globally recognized automotive leader, offers a variety of internship programs designed to provide students with invaluable real-world experience. Dating back to 1903 when Henry Ford produced his first Model-T in Detroit, Michigan, Ford has remained a cornerstone of the American automotive industry. Today, as one of the three largest American automakers, Ford sells vehicles across six continents. These internships serve as a pipeline for future talent, with many interns considered for full-time positions in the Ford College Graduate program. This article will explore the requirements and opportunities available through Ford's internship programs.

Internship Program Overview

Ford Motor Company’s internships are based around its many career development programs, with the goal of supplying interns with usable experience in an area that is related to the students’ academic studies. The company offers internships in a variety of business areas, including product development, finance, marketing, creative design, engineering, purchasing, and human resources. The summer internship program accommodates roughly 250-300 individuals.

General Eligibility and Requirements

Internships at Ford are open to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as graduate students. 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.

Ford internships are 10-12 weeks during the summer. During the first week, interns attend a new hire orientation program either onsite or virtually, depending on their work location. Ford provides students with hands-on, career-specific experience through full-time work. This is a great platform to connect with leadership, collaborate with professionals in many areas of the business and learn more about our Ford College Graduate opportunities. Networking opportunities are key to a successful experience.

Application Process

Ford Motor Company does not accept hard copies of resumes. It is asked that you fill out a profile and upload a resume online. When applying for an internship at Ford, you must complete your application through their online portal. 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.

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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. 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.

Specific Internship Areas and Requirements

Ford offers internships in various fields, each with its specific requirements and focus areas.

Finance Internship

The Ford Motor Company Finance Internship is open to undergraduate juniors and graduate students who have completed the first year of an MBA program. You must be majoring in finance, accounting, business, economics, mathematics or statistics and demonstrate a strong grasp of business concepts such as realistic judgment and quantitative and critical thinking skills to be eligible for this summer internship. Additionally, you must exhibit strong business knowledge and technical skills while working on projects for organizations such as marketing, sales and service, product development, manufacturing, purchasing, treasury, audit, accounting and Ford credit. 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. Additionally, students should possess at least a 3.0 GPA.

Engineering Internship

In a Ford engineering internship, students can work with engineering professionals and contribute to real product innovation. Within each engineering area, students can specialize further. Students interested in engineering internships at Ford typically need to be studying a relevant field, like aerospace, systems engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or mechanical engineering. Additionally, students need soft skills to support their technical and hard skills in engineering.

Marketing Internship

Ford’s marketing internships allow students to explore and innovate marketing strategies and research in a global company. Interested students should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant major, such as finance, business, economics, or communications.

Read also: Explore Henry Ford College

Supply Chain Internship

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 Internship

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. Students must be near completion of a bachelor’s degree in transportation or industrial design or a master’s degree in fine arts.

Human Resources Internship

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.

Leadership Programs

For every undergraduate or master’s level internship at Ford, the company typically has a graduate or leadership program to match. 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. 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. The Ford finance leadership program (FLP) is a three-year rotational program for MBA graduates. 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.

Skills and Attributes

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.

Compensation and Benefits

While the internship is paid, pay is competitive and based on degree status, and major. Interns at Ford earn competitive salaries and may receive a benefits package for the duration of their program. Students also have many opportunities to learn and grow as professionals.

The Internship Experience

Ford provides students with hands-on, career-specific experience through full-time work. This is a great platform to connect with leadership, collaborate with professionals in many areas of the business and learn more about our Ford College Graduate opportunities. Networking opportunities are key to a successful experience.

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.

Tips for Success

Networking: Networking with the right people can significantly improve your chances of landing an internship.
Interview Preparation: 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.
Resume and Cover Letter: Learn how to write a resume recruiters can't ignore with this free masterclass from Forage. 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.

Additional Opportunities

High school students in the Dearborn area can register for Ford-sponsored science and technology sessions at the Dearborn Research and Innovation Center. There are three sessions in 2024, including a career day, a session focusing on vehicle design, and one all about welding and adhesive research.

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