From HAN to Tesla: Building a Career in the Automotive Industry

Originally from Romania, Rares studied Automotive Engineering at HAN and graduated with a bachelor degree in 2024.

"Finding and actually landing a full-time job was quite different from finding internships," he says. While studying, he had already gained experience applying for internship positions, but the transition to the professional job market brought new challenges.

The job search took approximately 2 months, from mid-August to mid-October. Along the way, he discovered that success depended on much more than technical knowledge.

"There are many more variables you need to take into consideration," Rares explains. Seasonal fluctuations in vacancies, lengthy recruitment processes, and networking all played a role. Many applications involved 3 or 4 interview rounds before a final decision.

While the overall process was challenging, he felt well prepared for the technical interviews. "My studies gave me the resources and knowledge I needed to prepare for the technical challenges I was given during those interviews," he says.

His biggest takeaway, however, was learning how to present himself effectively. "Creating a good CV for the Dutch job market, answering interview questions confidently, presenting your experience properly, and building connections can be almost as important as technical skills."

He also emphasizes resilience. "There will probably be moments when you doubt yourself, feel lost, or lose some confidence, but those moments are also part of the process."

Looking back, Rares believes his studies at HAN provided an excellent foundation for his career.

As part of his job at Tesla, he develops tools and processes that help ensure a smooth service experience. The knowledge gained during his studies made the transition into the automotive sector easier.

"I was already familiar with most of the systems used in road vehicles," he says. "That proved to be a strong advantage compared to some colleagues who came from a more general mechanical or electrical engineering background."

One of the biggest challenges during Rares' job search was language. He applied for more than 100 positions before accepting his current role, and not speaking Dutch frequently became a barrier.

"One of the most common reasons I was given for not moving forward in the hiring process was that I did not speak Dutch," he says.

Although Dutch is not required in his current position, he believes it can significantly expand career opportunities in the Netherlands.

His advice to current students is simple: start learning the language as early as possible.

Outside the classroom, participating in HAN Formula Student and HART proved to be one of the most valuable parts of Rares' education.

The experience helped him build friendships, develop practical skills, and apply classroom knowledge to real engineering challenges.

"I learned how to work on a car, how to work as part of a team, and I had the opportunity to apply what I was learning at university to real projects," he recalls.

While the projects looked impressive on a CV, he believes the greatest benefit came from everything he learned while participating.

Working on Formula Student and HART projects taught Rares how vehicles are built and serviced, how different systems interact, and how to solve problems under pressure.

"It gave me a much better understanding of what it takes to build a vehicle from scratch," he says.

Looking back, he considers those years transformative for both his personal and professional development.

"I really believe that experience made a difference and helped prepare me for my career," he says. "On top of that, those years were some of the best of my life."

For current students, his recommendation is simple: get involved.

"It helped me grow as an engineer, as a teammate, and as a person. I would definitely recommend joining one of these teams to anyone who has the opportunity."