Dreaming in color, how Danialle landed an internship at Fiat Fiat Chrysler Automobile
How many internship applications does it take to get an internship? For me, it was around 63 applications. I began my internship search last September. But before I submitted my first application, I updated my resume and cleaned up my portfolio. When I started applying, I had two companies immediately ask me for an online interview. Online interviews typically involve the company giving you a list of questions to respond to and send back to them in a video.
A few weeks passed, I hadn't received many positive emails. It was a discouraging experience. I was putting myself out there for opportunities, but nothing was happening. From October to February, I applied to every opportunity that my skills could fit.
At the beginning of February, I interviewed with a small company in NYC. The interview went fantastic! A few days later, they offered me the job. During that week, I had also sent my portfolio to a connection I made at Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA).
A little over a week after I was offered the job in NYC, I received an email from FCA. They were impressed by my portfolio and wanted to schedule an interview with their color and materials team. The interview was conducted by a team of six people on Google Hangout. We began the interview by going through three portfolio pieces, followed by a few questions about how I work with people, and then personality-related questions. I received an email from my FCA contact and she told me they really liked me and that I would hear back in a couple of weeks.
Two weeks passed and I decided to send an email to ask about the interview decision status. That day, I was asked to attend a second interview and complete a small project. I had 48 hours to prepare myself for a second interview, complete the small project, and balance homework.
On the day of my second interview, I received a call saying they needed to cancel the interview. At first, I felt panicked and thought that I wasn't getting the position until the circumstances were explained to me. About 30 minutes after I had ended the first call I received another call from FCA. This time they wanted to offer me the position! Elated doesn't describe the level of excitement I have experienced since getting that call. In a few weeks, I am going to be moving to Detroit to learn more than I can imagine about a job I have been dreaming about for so long!