The Equation for Tech Talent

• Michigan’s historical advantages in geography, resources, and infrastructure have fostered the growth of the automotive industry, indicating that similar conditions today could enable a new wave of innovation and mobility if pioneers are willing to take risks. 

• Current leaders in Michigan’s automotive industry are addressing essential gaps to ensure the state remains a viable career destination in the sector for the next 25 years. 

• Many tech students lack opportunities to practice their skills outside of the classroom, similar to athletes, emphasizing the need to seek practical experiences to actively prepare for their careers. 

Before Detroit and Michigan became the center of the automotive industry, many people chose to relocate to Michigan and create a life for themselves due to the geographic benefits, the Great Lakes, natural resources, and existing infrastructure. One may wonder what infrastructure was in place then, as cars were not manufactured in Detroit.  

As Coogan stated, there were “carriages, bicycles, and mobility,” therefore, it has always existed. However, the visionaries and pioneers chose Michigan, and the automotive industry was the driving force behind the ongoing evolution of mobility. And she said, “If we did it then, we can do it again.” 

“We have the resources, the geography, the visionaries, and the infrastructure through our higher education system,” Coogan said, “So all we need are the pioneers who are willing to take a chance on us.”  

As current pioneers start advocating for the future of Michigan’s signature industry, they have identified the gaps that are preventing Michigan from being a place where one can have a career in the automotive industry 25 years from now.  

The first gap identified by McMahan involves “building the connective tissue across the entrepreneurship system.” While individuals may know the actions they should take, they often lack guidance on how to effectively link these steps.  

The second gap identified by McGee is the exit, as it is “the most important piece for startups,” as the exit strategy is crucial for startups to realize their value and attract investors.  

The third gap identified by Gray is “alignment in the sales funnel,” which ensures different communities across Michigan are aligned in their communications on why people should relocate to Michigan to pursue a career. Gray emphasizes that “People don’t move to states; they move to communities.”  

The fourth and final gap identified by Felten is entry and giving people entry while they are still here, because “without entry, they will find it somewhere else.” 

Felten drew an analogy between how sports teams operate and the current state of tech education, noting that just like athletes, tech students also need opportunities outside of practice to hone their skills and capabilities. However, such a supportive system for practice does not currently exist in the tech industry.  

To overcome this challenge, students must take the initiative and consistently seek opportunities to practice. Even outside the classroom, many students don’t get the chance to practice before entering their professional careers. By creating opportunities for students to practice, they spend half their time in the real world. 

The 2025 MichAuto on the Island was sponsored by presenting sponsor KPMG and supporting sponsors BCG, Denso, GS3, Nexteer, PwC, and Toyota.