Shahzeb Mirza
Company: Volkswagen Group America
Position: Service and Quality Analyst
What do you love the most about the Automotive Technology Program at SIU?
The selection of courses offered and the willingness of the teachers and other staff members to help you succeed is what I truly love about the Automotive Program at Southern Illinois University. The whole staff is there to help you prepare for the dream career you always wanted.
How has the Automotive Technology Program prepared you for what you do?
The Automotive Program gave me an opportunity to work as an Intern for one of the biggest car manufacturer. This gave me the confidence and work experience needed to be successful and find a full-time employment after finishing the program. The program not only gives you technical knowledge, but also gives you a business acumen which is a requirement to be successful.
Give us a snap shot of what you do everyday.
Every day is different here at Volkswagen Group of America. Being in the Service and Quality department of one of the most respectful automaker is very interesting. Since we pride ourselves in engineering and quality, a lot of my time is spent in testing the quality of our vehicles. That includes testing supplier quality, finding the root cause for failures, analyzing customer survey data and warranty related information, conducting port inspections, going on customer visits, as well as working with the suppliers and factories on finding solutions for problems.
Any advice for current and future students?
Take advantage of the internship opportunities offered and attend as many seminars/info sessions as you can outside of class. This program is designed to help you succeed but you have to be proactive.