An Utterly Life-Changing Experience
My internship with BMW Group in Munich, Germany was an utterly life-changing experience for me both personally and professionally. It is the biggest leap I have taken in my life so far, and the growth I feel in myself is quite profound. There isn’t one single thing that made my experience as memorable as it is. My work, social life, and travels all came together to create an overall unforgettable period which I will look back on fondly for the rest of my life.
My role at BMW was great fun, and has imparted upon me skills that I am eager to apply as I forge a path for myself. Logistics Innovation and Robotics is an extremely cool topic, and the team was filled with likeminded, future-focused people who were always so kind and professional. The project which Lewis and I worked on really pushed us to hit new creative heights, and the organisation that it required of us has taught me a lot about how to conduct myself as a professional in industry. We spent most our internship working with Blender and the emerging Nvidia Omniverse platform, which was a real eye opener, and I feel that the skillset I acquired compliments what I have learnt from QUT quite nicely. It was the sort of environment where you could learn from everyone- a cultivated team made up of experts and interns with a range of specialisations and interests that made each conversation a learning experience. I’m immensely thankful for these connections.
Looking back on my experience now, it feels like a lifetime of fun has elapsed. From the early summer days spent picnicking with my colleague, roommate, and close friend Lewis, to the picturesque Autumn, and my first real winter, and even now into spring- so much has changed around me, and I feel like the city of Munich has remained a dynamic, and exciting place to live. There was never a weekend that wasn’t made the most of. Bavaria itself is spectacular, there are many towns within a stone’s throw. The generous leave offered through the position allowed me to travel to a number of places, namely England, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Slovenia, France, and shortly I will be visiting relatives in The Netherlands. It was my first time in Europe, and I feel that I have really made the most of it.
It is incredible that such an enriching experience was made available to me through my studies. I didn’t imagine that such a positive experience would come out of my time at university. The fact that this partnership exists and is growing to allow more and more people this opportunity is great to know. There is no part of me that wouldn’t strongly encourage future students to aim towards becoming a BMW Group Academy intern.
D'Arcy Hodgson
BMW Group Design Intern, 2024
