TI Automotive, a global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, hosted students from Bullock Creek High School of Midland, Michigan, at its Auburn Hills Tech Center on May 13.
The visit supported TI Automotive’s commitment to the national Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative, which encourages students in the U.S. to explore these fields for a possible career.
Roughly 30 students, ranging in age from 16 to 18 years old, observed several operations at the facility, where the company develops and tests automotive fluid systems including fuel tanks, fuel delivery systems, fluid carrying lines and powertrain and HVAC systems.
Several senior-level engineers conducted tours and overviews of several technical areas and processes, allowing for students to receive an in-depth overview of automotive design and test procedures at TI Automotive.
“It’s interesting to see what we talk about in class being put to action in the real world,” said Michael Krueger, a student at Bullock Creek High School. “There were a lot of awesome things that I could see myself doing one day, especially the testing.”
The group visit was made possible through TI Automotive’s partnership with MICHAuto, a group within the Detroit Regional Chamber that provides a platform for collaboration on advocacy, awareness, business and talent attraction for the automotive industry in Michigan.
“Getting young people interested in a STEM-based career is critical for the long-term success of the automotive industry, and we are firmly committed to the initiative,” said Domenic Milicia, chief human resources and communications officer. “Some of the students who visited here today may take up careers in the automotive industry. Programs like this provide the foundation to make that a possibility.”
TI Automotive has a comprehensive co-op program that includes high schools and local colleges and universities. One current student at TI Automotive, Sarah McBeth, has been with the program since her high school years at Rochester Adams. Now a mechanical engineering student at Purdue University, she credits the co-op program for helping her get ahead in her field.
“It’s rare to see high school students with experience in engineering,” says McBeth. “The co-op program here has provided a great opportunity and allowed for me to experience several sides of engineering, and narrow down what I want to do.”
