Ten students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the United States will convene in Detroit to embark on a 10-week immersive internship program in marketing and communications. During this internship, they will learn about content creation, as well as familiarize themselves with the technological advancements that drive the automotive industry.
The fellows will collaborate with journalists from the National Newspaper Publication Association (NNPA) and marketing teams from Chevrolet. They will also have the opportunity to experience the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax on a group road trip. Throughout the internship, the students will enhance their professional skills, engage in innovative and challenging assignments, and document their journey on social media. This marks the seventh year that Chevrolet and the NNPA have organized the Discover the Unexpected (DTU) internship program.
The program will be guided by mentors and ambassadors who are HBCU graduates themselves. Terrence Jenkins, a television host and actor known as Terrence J, will serve as an ambassador for the third consecutive year. He expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Chevrolet and the NNPA to uplift the next generation of talented journalists, marketers, and content creators. Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer, a STEM advocate and educator, will also return to DTU for the third year as a student mentor. Joining them as a guest mentor is Tiffany Greene, an ESPN sports journalist and HBCU Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) alum.
Two DTU alumni will kick-start their professional careers at General Motors this summer. Raza El, a two-time DTU fellow, will join GMC as an SUV and truck analyst. El had the opportunity to present his work to the Chief Marketing Officers of GM and Chevrolet, and his research was actually utilized by the company. Ashley McJunkin, another DTU alumna, will join Chevrolet as the Silverado assistant advertising marketing manager. McJunkin’s positive DTU experience confirmed her career aspirations and her desire to be part of the Chevrolet team.
Steve Majoros, Chief Marketing Officer of Chevrolet, expressed his pride in the growth of the DTU program over the years. He emphasized that DTU reinforces Chevrolet’s commitment to HBCUs by providing students with valuable experience, mentorship, and support, setting them up for successful futures. Majoros acknowledged that DTU helps Chevrolet stay connected with younger and more diverse buyers who will shape the company’s future and strengthen the diversity of its marketing talent.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of the NNPA, played a crucial role in the success of the Chevy DTU program. He expressed his passion and excitement for the program’s ongoing evolution and the life-changing opportunities it offers HBCU students, both professionally and personally, as they prepare for their careers.
The DTU internships will run from June 5 to August 11, starting with a three-day boot camp in Detroit. Upon completion of the program, Chevrolet and the NNPA will award each fellow a total of $18,000 in scholarships and stipends. To date, the program has provided over $750,000 in financial support. To learn more about the Discover the Unexpected internship program, visit the official website at https://www.nnpa.org/chevydtu/.
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