Madhuri Patel stepped out of her comfort zone to secure a sales advisor role at Tesla and develop communication skills while gaining experience in customer service.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
At first when I was searching for an internship, I was struggling to find a position that would help me build confidence for whatever is in store for my future career. I wanted to dig deeper and find something that would challenge me. Instead of reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, I started searching through company sites and seeing if they are recruiting, which is how I started browsing opportunities at Tesla. When I was reviewing the different roles they were recruiting for, I didn’t know which of the roles listed would be the best fit. I decided to apply for multiple roles because I knew that I was going to be challenged either way. When I got the call to go in for the interview, they considered me as applying for a Sales Advisor position, and the entire interview process went way better than I thought. I moved forward with this company because I need something challenging that would make me comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is safe to say, I have improved very much with my social and interactive skills during this experience.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Through my internship experience, I worked directly with customers in sales advising. I assisted customers with their inquiries, providing information about Tesla’s vehicles, features, and the purchasing process. This involved answering questions both in person and over the phone. I did delivery coordination which is where I coordinated vehicle deliveries, managed the logistics of vehicle handovers and ensured that customers had a smooth and satisfactory delivery experience. Throughout my experience, I gathered and analyzed customer feedback to help improve the sales and delivery processes, providing insights to the team to enhance the company’s overall service quality. I also contributed with a variety of sales and delivery-related operational tasks, including transaction processing, handling inventory, and data collecting.
What did you find most challenging about your internship?
When I came in for my first day, I genuinely thought I would be taking calls behind a desk and assisting mainly in customer service. This wasn’t the case; the most challenging part of this internship was customer interactions. Before joining the internship, I had been extremely introverted. I have always been shy and reserved because initiating social interactions was not something I did too often. Once I started getting used to interacting with customers, I felt like I could have a conversation with anybody without feeling nervous. Being able to overcome my hesitations in social interactions has had the best possible outcome because I finally have gotten comfortable with something that used to be very challenging for me.
What is the impact of your internship experience?
My internship at Tesla has provided me with a wealth of new skills and knowledge about the electric car industry. I developed important abilities in customer service, sales, and operational effectiveness. These skills are applicable to any client-facing line of work that requires addressing customer issues, delivery processes, and managing interactions with customers. I also gained an extensive understanding of the battery-powered car industry and advanced vehicle technologies from my time at Tesla. My perspective on the future of transportation and sustainability has expanded as an outcome of my growing knowledge of how innovative and creative companies function. The constantly changing and rapid work setting at Tesla required flexibility and fast thinking, which also impacted my experience. I developed a solution-oriented mindset while taking on issues, which has improved my ability to handle challenging situations in many kinds of settings.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and begin their internship?
My advice for other students as they search for or begin their internship is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It is such a good feeling to know you are able to overcome something that was once out of your comfort zone. The confidence it brings you is so rewarding. Aside from getting out of your comfort zone, I suggest defining what you want to achieve during your internship. Whether it’s gaining specific skills, understanding a particular industry, or making professional connections, having clear goals will help you stay focused. Not only will this keep you motivated, but it will drive you to want to reach and achieve more opportunities in your future.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
During this experience, I came to understand the importance of transferable skills like managing tasks, customer service, and problem-solving. This realization has led me to look for positions that will enable me to advance these skills and use them in challenging settings. My career goals for the future have improved as a result of this internship experience. I hope to work in roles that include some form of collaboration and meaningful interactions with customers with an eye towards sustainability. It also made me want to prioritize working for organizations that prioritize technological growth and conservation.