‘Pretty surreal’: JU student secures F1 internship with Cadillac team
Action News Jax has learned a local Jacksonville University student has secured an exclusive internship with the newest American-led Formula 1 racing team – Cadillac. Action News Jax anchor Chandler Morgan sat down with this student to find out how his education at Jacksonville University is putting him in the fast lane for a career in engineering. For JU junior, Stephen Coleman , racing is more than a passion; it’s a career in motion.
“This is, this is the dream. It’s pretty surreal,” Coleman says. Coleman just secured a highly competitive internship with Cadillac’s new F1 team , helping build parts for the power unit of the racecar.
His love for racing started young, with karting. Coleman’s path has already hit the gas right here at JU, where he founded and now leads the university’s first Formula SAE International racing chapter . Action News Jax told you earlier this year, this chapter will give students real-world experience in vehicle design, manufacturing and competition.
It’s an extra experience to layer on top of his education in engineering through the STEAM institute at JU. Coleman praised the program’s mentorship, backed by local motorsport leaders and a JU racecar driver alumnus, Tiger Tari. “Tiger has become such a big partner in this and being able to talk to him, and you know, like hearing what he does day to day,” Coleman says.
Just this year, Tari took Coleman and aspiring students down to the pit lane at the Rolex 24 race in Daytona and gave them an insider’s perspective of what it’s like to be behind the wheel during a race. Coleman says those connections have played a pivotal role in his recent success and learning about the industry. “It’s really tough to get your foot in the door,” explains Coleman.