The interns at the LaFontaine Automotive Group don’t just fetch coffee and make copies. They engage in exciting experiences, learn about their perspective educational fields and develop their professional selves. LaFontaine interns are a part of the most nationally recognized automotive teams in Michigan. They experienced a real-world, fast-paced automotive environment while working with hundreds of customers and fellow employees. We would like you to get to know some of the interns and their experiences that took part in the LaFontaine summer internship program this year.
This summer’s internship program features 18 bright thinkers from some of the top universities in the state of Michigan. The past 12 weeks have consisted of exposure to the ins and outs of the automotive business in many different areas; New and Pre-Owned Car Sales, Finance and Insurance, Service/Parts/Collision Center, Office/Business Development Center, Service Adviser, and Digital Marketing.
Junior Interns
Hunter Luchenbill, Northwood University
“This internship has provided me with different skill that will benefit me in my future automotive career. I’ve learned how to properly sell a car, how to spin a deal, how to properly perform an MPI, how to used Reynolds and Reynolds, and also how the dealership works as one. This experience has allowed me to bring what I have learned in the classroom and put it to test at LaFontaine. I really enjoyed the sales and F & I departments, due to the hands-on operations. Overall, I have had a great experience at LaFontaine CDJR Fenton. I learned a lot of great people, and even sold a car or two along the way. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone who is interested in the automotive industry.”
Declan Cullen, Northwood University
“During my internship, I have learned a lot of new skills. I’ve learned how to do phone-up’s and have become comfortable talking on the phone to customers, I have learned how to successfully perform all the steps for the 10 steps to a sale. I have also learned how to write up a deal, as well as, how they finance them. I have learned that it’s important to become very detailed and organized with customer and that being straight forward with them is a lot more beneficial than just trying to get a sale. Before my internship I was unsure in the direction I wanted to pursue, but LaFontaine has helped realize my liking for sales.”
Brian Redmond, Northwood University
“LaFontaine has provided me with many opportunities to improve my communication and sales skills. This internship allowed me to show my abilities with my background on cars. I was able to test the products to show the strong points of the vehicle. I achieved two appointments for potential sales, which ended in a sale. It was truly amazing to be part of that process. I would 100% recommend this internship to anyone. LaFontaine is a top-notch company to work for, they truly live by their mission statement. Being a car addict, it was the perfect fit!”
Andrew Noles, Northwood University
“During my internship at LaFontaine I learned how to sell cars, the ins and outs of F & I, how to write up R/O in the service lane and so much more. I really succeed in the F & I department, but enjoyed the overall experience of every department. Working here has truly been an eye-opening experience for my future endeavors. It has shown me that pursuing a career in automotive industry will provided me an opportunity to grow not only my knowledge but also as a person. From day one at the training center to now my last week into my internship has given me so many opportunities, that wouldn’t be given anywhere else. I would highly recommend this internship!”
Nicholas Krett, Northwood University
“Being an Automotive Marketing & Management major from Northwood, this internship has allowed me to bring my knowledge from the class room to the real world. You hear all of the words and definitions while in school, but to see them come to life is something incredible. I have been taught and mentored by many good people throughout my time here at LaFontaine. I came here with absolutely no dealership experience whatsoever. I had not the slightest clue as to what I was doing. I greatly appreciate the people who helped me build up my knowledge and skill set while working here. Good employees will take this company to new heights and I am blown away by how many great people I have met while working here. I would recommend this internship to anyone who is willing to learn something new and different.”
Handsome Glover, Central Michigan University
“At LaFontaine I have learned countless amount of skills in all departments. My customer interaction skills have improved tremendously from the opportunities that have been given throughout my duration here at LaFontaine. With my future in mind, being able to connect with customers was very enjoyable. I would highly recommend this internship to any student looking for experience in any type of business.”
Isabel Leach, Northwood University
“LaFontaine has provided me with a great experience within the F & I department. In this department, I was able to submit a deal, finance a deal, and sign a customer. I was able to learn these tasks and have them be put to test on my own. This was very ideal because what I have learned has helped me determine exactly what I would like to do in my future career in the automotive industry. I gained experience with leadership, teamwork, and Reynold computer software skills. I would highly recommend this internship, especially if you plan to pursue this industry.”
Noah Jankowski, Northwood University
“Working for LaFontaine in many various departments have helped me learn a lot about the industry and the business. It has advanced my professional skill set; which includes my speaking skills, etiquette, knowledge of the automotive world, and making professional and personal connections that will last a lifetime. This internship was very valuable to me I learned something new every day. I enjoyed learning new things every day. I would highly recommend this internship.”
Will Stokes, Northwood University
“As an Automotive Marketing and Management student, this internship used nearly everything discussed in class and let me apply it in a professional setting. The experiences I gained from this internship rotation are invaluable. Getting able to sit down with some of the management leaders in the dealership allowed me to learn from the very best LaFontaine had to offer. Not only did the management team accept us interns into their schedules, but they also made it personal goals of their own to teach us everything they could in the short time we had. By getting hands on experience this summer, I have learned how enjoyable the automotive industry truly can be.”
Shaylee Lisiewski, Northwood University
“This internship was very valuable to my academic studies even though I may choose a different direction in the future. I made great connections and was provided with excellent work experience. I learned about my strong skills and things in need to improve on. One of the strongest points in my internship was within the BDC. fell in LOVE with the atmosphere, the people, and the job that this office requires. I have found that I am very driven to make appointments and LEARN about customers experiences. LaFontaine is a fantastic business, run by amazing people, and the people who work here are genuine people who strive to help customers as best they can. I thought that running a dealership was just about selling cars but, it is much more than that. It should be exactly what the Lafontaine mission says it is: building lifelong relationships, connecting families, strengthening communities, and personalizing the automotive experience and, that is exactly what LaFontaine does.”
Nick Wasik, University of Michigan
“Before this internship I had a bit of knowledge in reference to the car business and I thought I knew how everything worked. Little did I know there was a lot more to running a dealership than I thought. Of course, I learned all of the nuts and bolts of how a dealership operates but, the most important skill that I picked up during my time at LaFontaine was customer service. I think this was a very valuable experience in relation to my academic studies because it has pushed me to learn new things very quickly and be able to apply them really quickly.”
Tyler Bowen, Northwood University
“I learned how to improve my people skills. That has been a major tool considering this business is built on relationships. I also learned everything you could possibly need to know about day to day operations of all departments of a dealership, so I gained an extremely large amount of hands on experience in the dealership. I absolutely gained a lot of knowledge/experience in relation to my major. I want to go into finance and I definitely gained a lot of knowledge about the every day tasks that go into that. A couple years ago I never thought in a million years I would be interested in the car business. But after my experience at LaFontaine, they have definitely forced me to reconsider. It is a fantastic place to work and you’re not going to find much better out there.”
Senior Interns
Ryan Beattie, Northwood University
“My internship consisted of finance, sales, service, and BDC. I enjoyed every aspect of the internship especially in service. I learned throughout this internship to be quick on your feet, that includes every task the job asks. I also learned how to speak, negotiate, and go through the ten sales steps with the customer. I am very happy and appreciate the opportunity to learn skills that I can used in the world of business today. I would highly recommend this internship especially for students going into the automotive industry.”
Emily Williams, Northwood University
“I have learned so much in this internship; I have had the unique opportunity to combine both my Fashion Marketing Major and my Hospitality and Event Coordinating minor in one fast paced, exciting job. I have planned events, honed my personal selling skills, mastered social media marketing and online promotions, and become immersed in management and the responsibility of a storefront, working in Lady La’s Boutique. This internship is a priceless experience. I have been so blessed to have had as amazing mentors as I do, who care about me and want to see me grow and succeed. This internship has made classroom topics and hypothetical situations a reality, which, in my opinion, is the best way of learning– seeing how something works for yourself and being able to participate in it as an individual. I would most definitely recommend this internship to others. It has shown me just how expansive and versatile my degree is, and how much the knowledge I’m learning in school is applicable to the real world.”
Paige Bryden, Northwood University
“This internship was a very valuable experience to my academic studies due to my major in Automotive Marketing and Management. It has taught me everything and more than I could imagine for my future career in the Automotive Digital Marketing industry. It has actually made my plans for the future stronger. This is exactly what I want to do, and I decided I’m super happy doing it. I’m very thankful for the opportunity the LaFontaine’s gave me. The internship was extremely organized and has a very amazing curriculum. I’m very happy that I was a part of the program. Yes, I would recommend the internships to other students.”
Samantha Medici, Northwood University
“My internship duration here at LaFontaine has been very educational. In the beginning of the internship, I learned a lot about the automotive business that I didn’t know before. I was also introduced to the marketing and advertising segment of LaFontaine. I learned the importance of vehicle merchandising, maintained multiple social media accounts, observed the creation of advertisement content, attended meetings, and maintained the blog. Overall, I realized the importance of social media to reach the customer base. This internship has made a positive impact on my future plans. I really enjoyed being a part of a successful marketing team and learning new things every day. I have realized that I truly believe I belong in a marketing department like LaFontaine Media. I enjoy the analytics of what we do and the creation of content that promotes the LaFontaine Family Deal brand. I would highly recommend this to any student looking for automotive business-related internship.”
