Hyundai Career Experience Day Gives Students Hands-On Industry Insights

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, 13 UC Irvine students participated in the 8th Annual Hyundai Career Experience Day at Hyundai Motor America's corporate office in Fountain Valley, Calif. Organized by Hyundai's Amigos Unidos Employee Resource Group, this full-day immersive experience exposed students to various departments including Product Planning, Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility, Marketing and Social Media, Service Engineering, Sales, and Legal. Through hands-on workshops, students conceptualized next-generation Hyundai vehicles, developed CSR strategies emphasizing Gen Z's values, and explored how car features are tested under challenging temperatures and terrains. Each session provided valuable insights into how these departments collaborate to bring a car from the initial concept to the moment it's driven off the lot. The event helped students discover potential career paths that align with their interests and skills.

A highlight of the event was an appearance by Hyundai Motor North America's President and CEO, Randy Parker, who delivered brief remarks about his background and his journey into the automotive industry. Mr. Parker shared his passion for his work and Hyundai, noting that he never imagined he would reach his current position. The students enjoyed a candid talk about the challenges and opportunities for growth the company is experiencing.

Special thanks to Hyundai Motor America, and particularly Alliance member Brandon Ramirez, for coordinating this wonderful event and creating career pathways for UC Irvine students.

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