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Bracha Akhamzadeh
CST 300 Writing Lab
January 28, 2020

A Career in Software Engineering

Electric Vehicles

Environmental awareness has been on the rise since the 1960s, when it became widely

recognized that human activity was causing significant harm to the environment. Research has

demonstrated the importance of the environment to human health and welfare as well as the

economic, social, and aesthetic harm that can stem from poor environmental habits. Scientific

and engineering research has offered the public methods to curb harmful practices, such as

providing cost-effective ways to reduce pollution in air and water in the United States.

One widely practiced initiative for sustainable living the use of electric vehicles. These

vehicles have become the technology of choice for eco-friendly car buyers because they can be

powered with clean, renewable energy and do not produce harmful emissions. Even when

charged with power from nonrenewable sources, the inherent fuel efficiency of electric motors

versus internal combustion engines means they release less carbon per mile (Brain, 2002). In the

21st century, many well-known automotive companies, such as BMW, Nissan, Chevrolet, and

Ford, have started manufacturing clean energy models. As demand and interest increases, more

and more manufacturers are beginning to produce and sell electric cars.

Tesla

In 2003 Tesla Motors was founded “by a group of engineers who wanted to prove that

people didn’t need to compromise to drive electric – that electric vehicles can be better, quicker

and more fun to drive than gasoline cars.” The company’s long-term goal was, and still is, to

make zero-emission energy accessible and affordable to the average consumer thereby
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“accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy” (About Tesla, 2020). Engineers

Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning established the company in Palo Alto, California and

named it Tesla Motors after fellow engineer Nikola Tesla. The company was soon joined by

Elon Musk, the face of Tesla today, J. B. Straubel, a graduate and current lecturer at Stanford

University, and Ian Wright, founder of an electric trucking company called WrightSpeed

(Lambert, 2015). Years later, in 2017, the company’s well-known CEO, Elon Musk, shortened

its name to Tesla.

Tesla’s main manufacturing facility is Tesla Factory in Fremont, California with close to

ten million square feet of manufacturing and office space. In 2017, the company created 51,000

jobs in California alone. They have several other production and assembly plants throughout

America and recently opened a new factory in Shanghai, China. In California’s Fiscal Year 2017

the company stimulated $5.5 billion in sales activity and generated $4.1 billion in direct in-state

spending (Tesla Factory, 2020).

Tesla is known for combining safety, performance, and efficiency in high-end, quality

vehicles with creative features. Their most popular vehicles are the Model S, Model X, and

increasingly, the lower-cost Model 3. The Model S is Tesla’s luxury sedan and, at the time of its

first release, was the highest rated vehicle ever tested by Consumer Reports (Rechtin, 2015). The

Model X features falcon wing doors, room for seven passengers, and almost 300 miles in range

per charge. The Model 3 is a low-cost sedan option for those not wanting to pay the high price

for the Model S luxury vehicle. Tesla currently also sells its Model Y and its debut vehicle, the

Roadster (About Tesla, 2020). In November 2019, the company began taking preorders for the

Cybertruck, its newest vehicle yet. The Cybertruck “is designed to have the utility of a truck with

sports car performance,” it will enter production in 2021 (Tesla Press Information, 2020). These
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cars not only come with the highest level of vehicle craftsmanship and the latest technological

advancements but can also change performance characteristics or add functions through over-

the-air software updates throughout the year.

In addition to all-electric vehicles, Tesla manufactures a unique set of zero-emission

energy generation and storage products. Powerwall, Powerpack and Solar Roof, enable eco-

conscious homeowners and businesses to access affordable clean energy (About Tesla, 2020).

This is all a part of the company’s mission to wean the world off fossil fuels and toward a zero-

emission future.

Elon Musk is a co-founder and current Chief Operating Officer at Tesla, overseeing all

product design, engineering and manufacturing of the company's vehicles and energy products.

Musk grew up in South Africa and immigrated to Canada at age seventeen. He landed in the US

as a transfer student at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Arts and

Science. In addition to his work with Tesla, Musk is co-founder, CEO, and lead designer of

Space Exploration Technologies, commonly known as SpaceX, where he oversees the

development and manufacturing of advanced rockets and spacecrafts. He is CEO of Neuralink,

which is developing ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect the human brain

to computers, and The Boring Company, which uses fast and affordable tunneling technology

and electric energy to enable high-speed long-distance travel (Elon Musk, 2020).

Previously, Musk co-founded and sold PayPal, the world's leading Internet payment

system, and Zip2, one of the first internet maps and directions services, which helped bring

major publishers like the New York Times and Hearst to the web (Elon Musk, 2020).

Employees at Tesla say the CEO is heavily involved in all parts of product design and

manufacturing. A former engineering manager at Tesla expressed to Business Insider his wonder
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at how often he saw and interacted with Musk. "I don't think I've ever seen another CEO of any

company that I've been associated with, ever, and then, moreover, been close to him, talked to

him, had a meeting, had him ask my thoughts." While Musk is known to be a demanding

employer with high expectations, team members say his constant strive for perfection brought

about their greatest accomplishments (Matousek, 2019).

Tesla’s business model is different from that of most automotive companies because it

owns the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to distribution. This management approach

focuses on extended growth, involving production, inventory management, and all stages of

distribution. The ultimate goal of this strategy is to lower manufacturing costs and assure the

company’s sustainability. Due to this long-term plan, however, the company’s reputation has

gone through many phases. Since its inception, Tesla has faced phases of mild interest, curiosity,

amazement, admiration, doubt, and even scorn when the public believed Musk had attempted to

achieve more than he could handle. Musk admitted that he spent the first part of 2016 in

“production hell” (Fehrenbacher, 2016). Fortunately though, Tesla’s quality issues with its

luxury cars did not tarnish the company’s brand image since its original supporters viewed

themselves as pioneers and enjoyed being early adopters of new technology. At the moment, the

company is experiencing record highs with stock prices soaring over $500 and a bright-looking

future for 2020.

Tesla cars have become immensely popular and in a short ten-minute drive around Los

Angeles as many as nine Teslas can be seen. These are remarkable numbers for an auto company

of less than twenty years with a limited number of models available. According to a Forbes

headline in 2019, Tesla’s real success is not in selling cars, it is the company’s ability to

anticipate the future (Dans, 2019). Indeed, Tesla maintains an innovative and futuristic approach
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in the automotive industry. In addition to their electric cars and clean energy products, Tesla

invests millions annually into research of self-driving technology. The company employs

computer programmers and software engineers to develop, test, and debug Autopilot, Tesla's

autonomous car IT system. In 2019, the company launched the Smart Summon feature which

allows owners to call their Tesla from a garage or parking spot to their side. This area of research

is fascinating because it has the potential to completely transform America’s most common

mode of transportation. In centuries from now, when self-driving cars have become the

undisputed norm, it would be satisfying to have had some small role in bringing about this

change.

Employment as a Software Engineer

Tesla might be known for its demanding, Silicon Valley-style work environment but still

the company attracts engineers and software developers by the thousands. As Tesla gains world

recognition as a company that is making history, managers there can become increasingly

selective in whom they chose to employ. Thus, employment at Tesla is competitive. In today’s

innovative and fast-paced technological world, candidates seeking employment as software

developers in Tesla and other such companies must find a way to demonstrate outstanding

ability. Computer science students hoping to join the industry have many ways to advance their

careers. Students should work on expanding their knowledge of the field and aim to develop

outstanding problem-solving skills. Students should also plan methods to effectively connect

with companies and be prepared to showcase their expertise.

In a 2014 interview with AutoBild, Musk gave the following answer regarding skills he

looks for when hiring. “What I’m really looking for is evidence of exceptional ability. Did they

face really difficult problems and overcome them?” With Tesla’s futuristic and innovative
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approach, the company seeks people who have strong problem-solving abilities to explore and

develop complex technology in previously uncharted territories. These same standards can be

applied to other companies in this competitive industry. In order to develop problem-solving

skills, one must first have a thorough knowledge of the technicalities of computer programming.

Throughout the next two years as a computer science student in CSUMB I hope to gain the

technical knowledge of software engineering as well as develop, exercise, and refine my ability

to use this information in resolving real-world problems.

The class structure in CSUMB’s computer science program is designed to help students

achieve these goals. Software Design, an introductory course, gives students a basic

understanding of key concepts in software development. Later, in Design and Analysis of

Algorithms, students will gain a more detailed knowledge of different data structures and

develop problem solving skills. Software Engineering is a high-level course that will prepare

students to work through complex and real-life projects. Throughout the two years, the program

also involves group projects to foster teamwork, communication, and collaboration. This is an

important requirement for any job and particularly significant in the field of software engineering

where projects are mainly assigned to teams. Thus, enrolling in CSUMB’s computer science BS

program is a great start towards a career in software and programming.

A college degree is often a good indication of knowledge and skill in a specific field of

study, yet real-life projects are profoundly more convincing. While still in college, students can

utilize Github, a public code-hosting website, to display relevant work. Students can also find

time to build other projects that would demonstrate their ability to think creatively and use

technology to solve a problem. Since software engineers in the autonomous car industry mainly

build and develop artificial intelligence technology, it would be best for a candidate’s work to
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reflect an understanding of the AI and robotic areas in computer science. The field of education,

in which I currently work, has many opportunities for improvement using these technological

means. I hope to apply my experience in teaching to design AI technology that can help fellow

teachers and students as well as showcase my skills for future employers. As a heavily invested

developer of this project, I will be able to explain the problem to a potential employer and

specify in detail the methods used to create the solution. Having an impressive real-life project to

discuss at job interviews can give one aspirant jobseeker an edge over otherwise similar

applicants.

While knowledge and experience are immensely beneficial in obtaining employment,

they can only have a bearing once they have reached the eyes and ears of employers. For this

reason, social networking is crucial. Students of any field should constantly be open to new

connections and opportunities within their chosen industry. This can start small-scale, by

networking and making contacts within one’s own community. Larger-scale networking can be

achieved through websites like LinkedIn, a worldwide recruiting platform for professionals. A

good strategy for jobseekers is to use all these methods simultaneously to provide themselves

with the most opportunity possible, at which point they can decide on the best course of actions.

Using these means, candidates can connect with employers near and far to showcase their

expertise and advance their careers.

Conclusion

The field of technology is advancing, perpetually and rapidly. To find success in today’s

competitive job market, one must be prepared to invest in learning about the industry on every

level. Advanced technology has not only made our lives easier but has also given the world an

opportunity to make important changes in our environmental habits. Tesla believes in the need
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for change. It is a company with a mission, a vision, and innovative plans for the future. A

position at Tesla, or similar minded company, would be demanding. But boundless opportunity

to make a difference in the world at large is worth the challenge. Researching Tesla has given me

an understanding of the culture and philosophy of this industry and has clarified the steps one

must take to secure a position within this industry. My education at CSUMB as well as personal

experiential and networking projects will help me meet success as a software engineer. I look

forward to joining the software industry and utilizing my knowledge and skills to enhance and

enrich human life worldwide.

References
Auto Bild. (November 5, 2014). Tesla CEO Elon Musk. [Video File]. Retrieved January 19,

2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=FE4iFYqi4QU&feature=youtu.be&t=8m38s

Brain, M. (March 27, 2002). How Electric Cars Work. Retrieved January 19, 2020 from

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car.htm#

Dans, E. (September 9,2019). The Secret of Tesla’s Success Is Not Selling Cars: It’s Being Able

to Anticipate the Future. Retrieved January 14, 2020 from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2019/09/09/the-secret-of-teslas-success-is-not-

selling-cars-its-being-able-to-anticipate-thefuture/#2487627c4973

Fehrenbacher, K. (August 3, 2016). Elon Musk: Tesla Was In ‘Production Hell’ This Year.

Retrieved January 20, 2020 from https://fortune.com/2016/08/03/elon-musk-production-

hell/

Lambert, F. (May 16, 2015). Tesla’s Original Team, Where Are They Now? Retrieved January

20, 2020 from https://electrek.co/2015/05/16/teslas-original-team-where-are-they-now/

Matousek, M. (August 10, 2019). The Most Shocking Parts of Working at Tesla. Retrieved

January 19, 2020 from https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-employees-reveal-most-

shocking-parts-of-working-there-2019-8

Rechtin, M. (October 20, 2015). Tesla Model S P85D Earns Top Road Test Score. Retrieved

January 19, 2020 from https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tesla-model-s-p85d-

earns-top-road-test-score

Tesla (2020). About Tesla. Retrieved January 14, 2020 from https://www.tesla.com/about

Tesla (2020). Elon Musk. Retrieved January 14, 2020 from https://www.tesla.com/elon-musk

Tesla (2020). Tesla Factory. Retrieved January 14, 2020 from https://www.tesla.com/factory
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Tesla (2020). Tesla Press Information. Retrieved January 19, 2020 from

https://www.tesla.com/presskit