WORDS: Scout Motors
hat happens when the next generation of talent joins the Scout® journey? They help write the next big chapter of an iconic brand. After a summer spent with our 2026 interns in our Blythewood, Columbia, Charlotte, Fremont and Novi offices, it is safe to say that their accomplishments, contributions, and grit have become a testament to the creativity and innovation that Scout Motors is made of.
Our interns have impressed us from the start. This year’s intern class attends top national universities and leading regional institutions like Georgia Institute of Technology, University of South Carolina, Carnegie Mellon University, Clemson University, University of Michigan, Brown University, Kettering University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Northwestern University among others.
No matter where they came from, though, all our interns have become a part of Scout Motors’ early history this summer. As our third ever internship class, they had the unique opportunity to help build our company in its early stages — and they stepped up.
Thiyagu Rajendran, IT Intern, said he was looking for the chance to do exactly that. He came to solve impactful problems and found the opportunity at Scout Motors to be expansive.
“While researching companies for my summer internship, Scout Motors stood out to me because it’s building everything from the ground up,” Thiyagu said. “I get to work on things that I may not have had the chance to see in a company where the whole environment was already setup.”
Interns got to take on real projects across teams like Communications, Engineering, Finance, HR, IT, Legal, HR, Procurement, and Strategy , each advancing their competencies this summer. Joshua Wigfall, Production Intern, said the internship has shown him how involved and exciting the automotive industry can be from the inside.
“My favorite thing about the internship so far is seeing all that goes into putting a car on the street for customers to enjoy and working on real-world projects that will help Scout Motors accomplish that goal.
Scout Motors’ program focuses on connecting interns with experiences that support their studies. Building up our workforce means creating opportunities for everyone to learn and grow. For Elizabeth Strickler, Vehicle and Validation Engineering Intern, she was able to directly connect those dots during the summer.
“I love being able to see the design and testing processes around the vehicle,” Elizabeth said. “Getting to explore topics from my automotive classes like NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and vehicles dynamics makes it all feel tangible and clearer.”
A unique feature of the program, however, is that interns live by the Scout Way values, especially Figure it Out. Interns have the opportunity to take ownership of a project and use their own creativity to solve problems and deliver results.
Chancellor Hanner, AI Implementation Intern, shared how he resonates most with our Figure Out value while developing new tools for the Strategy Team this summer.
“I’ve been assigned plenty of tasks with no clear way of navigating. I was simply curious and went searching for inspiration and information that could help me push forward,” Chancellor said. “In being resourceful, I delivered quality work and became someone that my team could count on.”
At Scout Motors, we also Go Together. Lance Young, Finance Intern, shared that the company’s collaborative environment has helped him learn more about logistics and operations from his teammates.
“Everyone has been willing to share their knowledge, answer questions, and offer guidance, which has helped me grow both professionally and personally,” Lance said. “It reinforced how much can be accomplished when people collaborate and support one another.”
Our interns, like Hadley Smith, Production Intern, have also had the chance to participate in special programming this summer. From volunteering at the Palmetto Trail Network and the Cooperative Ministry’s Clothing & Furniture Bank in South Carolina to partaking in team events like the Engineering Barbecue, they’ve been a part of Scout Motors’ close-knit employee network.
“Scout’s connection to nature and community are the two aspects of the brand that resonate with me most,” Hadley said. “During the first month of my internship, my team and I helped build a bridge for the Palmetto Trail network. I had so much fun working alongside my coworkers to help make something better for the community… It is a perfect example of Scout’s mission to connect with those around us.”
Outside of the office, interns went out and embraced the Scout Way this summer: hiking in nature, spending time on the water, travelling to new places and more.
"I would urge anyone who is considering becoming a Scout Motors intern to accept the position and embrace the role. Scout is a uniquely situated organization in that it is altering the car-buying experience for consumers and the automotive market for EV vehicles."
Lindsay Milbourn, Legal Intern, said that future students should consider spending their summer 2027 with Scout Motors if they are drawn to the Brand, like problem solving, and want to make an impact in the automotive industry or in the communities in which we operate.
“I would urge anyone who is considering becoming a Scout Motors intern to accept the position and embrace the role,” Lindsay said. “Scout is a uniquely situated organization in that it is altering the car-buying experience for consumers and the automotive market for EV vehicles.”
Joshua Wigfall, Production Intern, said that he has truly enjoyed the chance to learn this summer on the Scout Motors Team.
“Working for Scout Motors has allowed me to grow. It’s taught me to be a continuous learner, because we are all figuring things out, and to enjoy the journey that leads the Scout vehicles back to the road.”
Thank you, 2026 Scout Motors Interns!
Be on the lookout for the 2027 internship applications this fall—you won’t want to miss this revival of an iconic American brand.
Disclaimer: Scout Motors celebrates the legacy of Scout vehicles and the passionate community that keeps them alive. However, Scout Motors does not sell, restore, or provide parts or services for vintage Scout vehicles. Any modifications or restorations featured are the work of individual owners or third-party specialists.
From the original Scout to our cutting-edge electric vehicles, at Scout Motors, we believe in doing things the right way—the Scout way. Every vehicle we create is a testament to our commitment to quality, sustainability, and American craftsmanship. Join our team.
