GLCA Automotive Students Gain Real World Experience at DeFOUW Nissan

DeFOUW Nissan is proud to welcome local students who want hands on experience in the automotive world. One of those students is Ari Rodriguez, a senior at McCutcheon High School who has spent three semesters at the Greater Lafayette Career Academy. Known around the community as the GLCA, the program blends classroom learning with real industry experience, giving students a chance to explore what working in a dealership environment is really like.

Learning at GLCA

Ari’s time at the GLCA started with a deep dive into the fundamentals of automotive work. During the first year, students split into small teams to design and build go karts from the ground up. With guidance from their teacher, Mr. Locker, they took on everything from brainstorming designs to solving real problems during the build process.

Ari’s group ran into challenges with the brakes, the seat, the height of the kart, and the front end. They pulled parts from a scrap kart to replace the faulty brakes, re drilled holes and used longer bolts to secure the seat, and even used 3D printed spacers to gain enough ground clearance. When the front end still felt too low, they cut wedges and bent it upward until the kart handled the way they wanted. Every obstacle turned into a chance to learn, think creatively, and communicate as a team.

Once the karts were complete, the class held competitions including time trials, drag races, slalom runs, pit stop challenges, weight challenges, and energy efficiency tests. The big event brought together more than ten Indiana schools at Subaru’s testing track where Ari’s team completed registrations, inspections, and weigh ins. It was both educational and exciting, and it gave students a chance to see how their work compared to teams across the state.

After the go kart project, the GLCA program moved into more advanced units. Ari learned about steering systems, suspension, electrical units, brake systems, and more. Many of the vehicles used for hands on learning were Subarus, ranging from sedans to SUVs. Students balanced book learning with shop time, working with lifts, brake lathes, alignment racks, tire changers, and balancers. Each new tool and system helped build confidence for future work in a dealership setting.

By the end of the automotive sequence, Ari and classmates earned dual credits in basic automotive services, electrical, brake systems, steering and suspension, and engine performance. They also completed ASE practice tests that helped them understand what the real certification process will be like after graduation.

Internship Experience at DeFOUW Nissan

This year, Ari and other GLCA students spend Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays interning at the DeFOUW Nissan dealership from 10 AM to 12 PM. The internship rotates through different departments every two weeks so students can explore potential careers and understand how each part of a dealership works together.

Students rotate through HR, the collision center, parts, marketing, reconditioning, the BDC, sales, service advising, and technician roles. Every department gives them a different perspective, from customer communication to hands on repair work. The goal is to help each student find a role that fits their interests, strengths, and future goals.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Ari returns to the GLCA to work on tearing down and rebuilding V8 engines. The goal is to get them running again and gain more hands on experience than simply reading from a book. It is a full circle experience that blends daily learning at GLCA with real world dealership exposure during internship hours.

Building Toward the Future

Ari’s journey through the GLCA and the internship at DeFOUW Nissan has helped shape what they want to do after graduation. With hands on experience, certifications, dual credit coursework, and exposure to multiple dealership departments, Ari feels confident about pursuing a future in the automotive field.

Programs like the GLCA play an important role in helping local students discover careers that match their passions. The opportunity to work inside a community dealership like DeFOUW Nissan adds real world understanding to what they learn in the classroom. Experiences like these help students take meaningful steps toward their goals and open the door to long term careers in the automotive industry.