Experience At Home

Kyle Groothuis: Chattanooga Native Takes on Parts Distribution Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Greetings! I would like to begin my blog with a brief introduction and an overview of some of the topics I will be covering in the coming months.

My name is Kyle Groothuis, and I am a Parts Logistics Analyst in Volkswagen Group of America’s Graduate Program. I graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. in May 2011 with a double major in Transportation and Logistics and Business Management.

As a Chattanooga, Tenn. native, I was very excited when Volkswagen Group of America brought production back to America – and picked my hometown as the location! After following the company closely over the past several years, I developed a great respect for the commitment it demonstrates to the community, environment, and innovation. I am extremely excited to be on the team.

On June 1, 2011, I started with the Volkswagen Group of America Graduate Program, and already I’ve had some pretty incredible experiences. In just two, short months, I’ve attended orientation at corporate headquarters in Herndon, Va., met my program mentor at a Volkswagen Group Parts Distribution Center in Jacksonville, Fla., and was introduced to a variety of corporate functions that make up parts logistics at the company in Auburn Hills, Mich. I’m off to a running start and can’t wait to continue gaining new experiences. I’m confident the Graduate Analyst Program will provide the opportunities necessary for me to help drive Volkswagen Group of America into the future.

Currently, I’m serving on the operational side of Parts Logistics at a Parts Distribution Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., ­where I’ll work as an analyst for the remainder of the year. In the coming months I will be sharing my experiences and hope to provide a glimpse into a “day in the life” of a Parts Distribution Center employee. I will be discussing a number of topics ranging from the logic behind a single part number, the computer systems that support our operations, to how we measure quality and how it impacts our customers. I’m excited to share a little piece of my Volkswagen Group of America world with you. Buckle up for the ride, it’s gonna be a good one!

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Experience | Right Here At Home In America

Michaela GonzalezHello Everyone! My name is Michaela Gonzalez. I am a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Key West. I’ve traveled up the Atlantic coast, completing my undergrad degree at the University of Georgia, working in Atlanta in the hospitality industry and earning my master’s degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In July 2010, I began working as a Human Resources Analyst with the Volkswagen Group of America Graduate Program. For the past year, I’ve called the DC area home.

The Graduate Program at Volkswagen Group of America was designed to provide an opportunity for recent Bachelor and Master’s graduates to start their careers in the automotive industry. The program’s 24 months of rotational assignments gives analysts entry-level exposure to the different functions of the business unit they are working in. The analysts span across the organization’s business units including Volkswagen and Audi of America. Through training, networking, mentoring, and exposure to all levels within the organization, the analyst’s likelihood of full-time placement aligning with the business needs and personal career interests is enhanced.

I joined the Volkswagen Group of America team because regardless of where you are from, people relate to the culture of Volkswagen, Audi, and our other brands. I wanted to be part of that. In a little over one year, I’ve learned about the various aspects of the company’s Human Resources department and networked with individuals in other functional areas.

One of my proudest accomplishments thus far has been managing the Graduate Program planning and recruiting process this year. I look forward to keeping you informed of what’s going on and what’s to come with the Graduate Program through this blog. But you won’t just hear from me. Several analysts from the 2010 and 2011 Graduate Program classes will be writing each week, sharing individual perspectives from their Experience At Home.

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