Accelerating in the right direction
First-generation Towson University grad Julia Siguenza ’18 discovers a love of motorsports through NASCAR internship
By Megan Bradshaw on July 17, 2018
“What do you want to do after you graduate?”
It’s a question many new graduates face, and like most of them, Julia Siguenza ’18, didn’t really have a firm answer.
“I knew I wanted to do a postgraduate internship that would provide mentorship and professional development while gaining hands-on experience,” she said.
Via Google, the mass communications graduate came across the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP), something she initially thought would not be a good fit.
“I didn’t know much about NASCAR,” Siguenza admitted. “However, I quickly realized I wanted to apply. That NASCAR recognized a diversity problem and created the NDIP made me realize I wanted to become part of a company moving in the right direction.”
Siguenza was one of just 28 interns chosen from a national pool of over 2,000 applicants. The interview process began in February and continued until early May for the 10-week, paid internship.
Right away, she was involved in national events, working the All-Star race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the program’s orientation weekend. Siguenza met Bubba Wallace, the first African-American driver to regularly race at the top level since 1971 and Brehanna Daniels, the first African-American female pit crew member to work a national series race.
The weekend also included tours of NASCAR Research and Development Center, Roush Fenway Racing, MRN—The Voice of NASCAR and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
As part of the NDIP international broadcast team, Siguenza says “no day is the same.” She performs research, creates visual content, attends meetings and leads presentations for broadcast and audio projects.
“I am constantly learning and falling in love more with the sport. There isn’t anything I can’t do, which is the best part. It’s a rare opportunity, and I’m trying to absorb as much as I can,” she said.
“I love being part of NDIP, but even more so, the NASCAR family,” Siguenza continued. “The company culture is like no other; despite the size, it feels like a big family. Everyone that I meet refers to me by name, not as “the intern.”
She has worked with broadcast, production, digital platforms and radio. Siguenza has also interviewed department directors and vice presidents as well as shadowed other departments at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona, Florida, on July 7.
After starting as a total NASCAR newbie, Siguenza now has a favorite driver—No. 19 Daniel Suarez from Mexico—and hopes to work for the brand in the future.
“After the first race, you become a lifelong fan,” she said. “I would love to work for NASCAR full time if the opportunity arises. I’m constantly being challenged. I know it would provide an avenue to continue growing.”