Tesla

Most teams at Tesla allow for interns to do really meaningful work. This can be really helpful for an internship, as getting additional early career experience can be very valuable.

Most of the people working here are really passionate about the projects they are working on, and most people are extremely competent. This provides a great environment to learn from extremely smart people.

After working at Tesla, I have been reached out to by recruiters for other top-tier companies consistently. I had not worked at any company of this level prior to working at Tesla, and I feel like working there has set me up well to work wherever I want.

The pay and benefits are substantially lower than other places. Tesla provided relocation assistance of ~3k for 8 months, but no housing assistance at all. Since this was in the Bay Area, housing was $1k+ for a single person, even with roommates. I was paid $28/hour. I am now making 50% more with housing covered as an intern in Austin with a different company.

The ability to take on more work as an intern is very easy, but Tesla has been very strapped for people. This leads to an expectation to take on substantial amounts of work and to work unsustainable amounts of overtime.

Work on providing more reasonable timelines to upper management. Provide opportunities for time off for long-term co-ops.