Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Connect With Gen Z

• Using social media to inspire the next generation of talent can drive future automotive and mobility industry success. 
• One can build a successful path forward by taking the initiative and stepping out of their comfort zone. 
• Knowing Michigan has a rich automotive history, it is important to recognize the opportunities this creates for young professionals.

During the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, college students Katelyn George, Ahmad Mirou, and Jeet Jhaveri led an engaging conversation about how they perceive the automotive and mobility industry, how to discover career opportunities, and how social media serves as a powerful tool to promote the mobility industry and inspire the next generation of talent. With content creator Christina Roki moderating the conversation, the panel also acknowledged what companies need to be doing to attract and retain young Michiganders to their companies. 

Social Media: The Next Powerful Tool 

The panelists’ discussion highlighted social media outreach’s impact on young professionals and how it can be a powerful tool when navigating one’s career. 

George, Mirou, and Jhaveri embody MichAuto’s You Drive the Future initiative by showcasing real-life Gen Z pursuing high-tech and mobility careers in Michigan on social media. Since June 2024, You Drive channels have amassed over 6,500 followers, and the videos have been viewed by over 50% of Gen Z in Michigan.  

George highlights how social media can challenge misconceptions about the necessary skills to pursue a career in STEM, particularly the belief that strong math skills are essential for success in the field.  

“Even if you’re not the strongest at math, you can still do it,” George said. “By engaging with social media content that questions society’s misconceptions related to one’s education and career, we open ourselves to endless possibilities.” 

While reflecting on the positive impact sharing on social media can have, Roki clearly distinguishes the impact it can have on a small group of people versus the world.  

“I think it’s a beautiful thing when I hosted my STEM projects,” Roki said. “You might be teaching 20 to 30 people, but if you’re demonstrating it on social media, it can reach millions of people who can also learn.” 

How One Can Build Their Way Forward 

The panel also provided insight into how one can take that first step when pursuing a career in the mobility sector and begin to create a successful career for themselves.   

One common piece of advice George, Mirou, and Jhaveri gave was to apply for as many jobs as possible when starting one’s professional career. Specifically, if the opportunity is an internship, use this as the catalyst for additional internships, as this will allow one to get hands-on experience in various fields within the industry.   

Jhaveri noted that an effective solution for someone who is struggling to find an opportunity in the automotive and mobility industry is to start their personal projects.  

“In the beginning, I couldn’t find an internship or any job because I didn’t have the experience, so I followed something I liked,” Jhaveri said. “This solution demonstrates the skills one learns in school, resulting in having people lined up at the door for you.” 

Opportunities in the Automotive and Mobility Sector 

The panel concluded with a discussion about the evolution of the mobility sector in Michigan and what opportunities this presents for young professionals.  

While George has been pursuing an education in civil engineering, she has had the opportunity to learn about Intelligence Transportation Systems (ITS), which help eliminate accidents and promote safety. Throughout her experience working with ITS, she said she has learned how to solve problems effectively. As a result, she suggested how companies can look at this as an opportunity to continue improving the mobility sector in Michigan.  

Lastly, Mirou and Jhaveri gained valuable experience and skills from their universities’ mobility and career-related programs. When looking at the bigger picture, they encourage all young professionals to continue to dream and go after it.  

“The mile journey gave me one step, and I took the first step,” Jhaveri said.