MTC High School Interns Dive Into Summer — and Transportation
Their peers may spend the summer diving into swimming pools, but MTC's 42 high school interns will use theirs to dive headfirst into the Bay Area's vast and complex transportation network.
Each year, the competitive program, which is sponsored by MTC, gives students from all nine Bay Area counties a chance to work for a variety of local transit, planning and public works agencies.
“We have hundreds and hundreds of applicants” for the program, now in its 14th year, said Ann Macaulay, MTC Human Resources recruiting manager.
The interns are paired with mentors, who assign the students a variety of projects. Last year’s interns assisted with the remodeling of a train depot, helped enforce traffic laws and collected data on commuters, among other tasks.
For many of the students, it’s an introduction to the professional world — and to paychecks. Several said they’ll save their earnings for college.
“I’m getting a foot in the door, for my career,” said Brook Wilson, a rising senior at Rohnert Park's Technology High School who will work for the City of Petaluma this summer. “I’m excited to work with engineers.”
Lyniece Hill, a rising senior at Skyline High School in Oakland, admitted that she doesn’t know much about transportation — yet.
“It will be really interesting to see how things work behind the scenes,” said Hill, who will work in BART’s Office of Civil Rights.
Her mentor, Andrew Houston, the office's administrative analyst, confirmed that Hill will become acquainted with the inner workings of BART this summer. “I’m looking forward to exposing her to a professional environment and what goes on that the public doesn’t see,” he said.
Although the orientation included a playful team building activity, Macaulay warned the interns that the summer won’t be all fun and games.
“Along with that paycheck you’ll be receiving, there are rules, responsibilities and expectations," Macaulay told the teenagers at their orientation. "You can expect that the agency you’re working for will give you a productive and meaningful experience.”
The program culminates with an intern forum in August, where the participants will make presentations on their projects and experiences.
Submit your comment
In order to receive a reply to your comment, please provide an email address.