Emma Arce is an Information and Digital Technology Intern working with the Geek team, back at the Austin IT Innovation Center for her second GM internship. We sat down with Emma to talk about her internship experience, all things Geek, and what led her to return to GM for a second Summer.
1. What led you to apply for an internship at GM?
My mom has worked at GM for nearly 10 years — and I've heard so many positive things from her about the company. I was also able to interact with GM firsthand during my freshmen year of high school when I wrote an article on autonomous vehicles for a class project. This led me to visit the GM Austin IT Innovation Center and interview an employee. I knew I wanted to learn more, and I applied for my first GM internship last summer.
2. Why did you choose to return for a second year?
Something I love about GM’s culture is that it allows employees the freedom to explore different positions across the company and learn new skills to encourage career development — and that’s why I chose to come back. This year, I’m interning with GEEK, where I’ve learned an entirely different set of skills and technical tools. I’ve also loved getting to meet so many new people!
3. Where do you see your future career taking you?
As an industrial engineering major, I have a lot of interests — including ergonomics, user-friendly design, and data analysis — and my goal is to keep exploring different programs until I figure out what I enjoy most. With my experience in software development and UI/UX design, my ideal career would be one involving product design or human factors and ergonomics, where I can help improve the daily lives of the people around me.
4. What has your impression been of the software and tech innovations at GM? Does anything stand out?
It’s surprising to see just how many applications are used by both GM and our dealership network! There are apps related to customer care, finance, motorsports, internal apps for employees, and more.
One of the projects I’ve found most interesting so far is the Motorsports team app, which contains a dashboard with graphical racing data, like driver information and lap times.
5. What do you love about GEEK? What makes it unique?
The Geek Program offers courses from experts on a huge range of topics — from software development to emerging technologies, soft skills and more. I love how Geek provides employees the chance to expand their knowledge beyond their usual roles.
On a personal level, the program has provided me with resources, networking opportunities, and a smooth transition into GM. I’ve also been able to work with other interns this year - which has made the new environment less intimidating.