When Punxsutawney Phil sticks his head out of his burrow this weekend, most of the country will be hoping he does NOT see his shadow, so we have an early spring. But here at VTA, we’ll have lots of shadows around for the occasion, job shadows, that is.
February 2 is also Groundhog Job Shadow Day, and we’re celebrating!
VTA has an extensive internship/mentor program for high school and college students. More about that in a moment. New this year, we’re starting a Job Shadow Day on March 16, (okay, so it’s not exactly Groundhog Day) for students who are interested in learning about public transportation, urban planning, marketing, customer service, trip planning and more. They’ll take part in focus groups, social media exercises, complete streets planning projects and gather information on building a career in transportation.
These students will get to interact and learn from transportation professionals, ask questions and glean all they can to prepare for their future.
VTA’s regular student internship program offers high school and college students hands-on work experience in the transportation field. There are a variety of opportunities ranging from VTA-funded, to shared-cost, to fully funded by non-profit partners. Many of our programs focus on enhancing the future career possibilities for minority, low-income, or underserved students. Oftentimes, these internship experiences lead to full time jobs at VTA.
College Internships
College interns gain meaningful hands-on work experience in the transportation industry focusing on VTA project-driven initiatives in Graphic Design, Marketing, Transportation Planning, Employee Relations, and Human Resources. All VTA internships are paid at a scale of $ $19-22 hourly.
High School Interns
Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School - Corporate Work Study Program: VTA began its partnership with Cristo Rey in 2014. This unique opportunity introduces low-income and underserved youth to the professional office environment by working in Facilities, Regional Transportation Services, Operations Planning, Board Office, Enterprise Risk Management, Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources. VTA pays for this program which offsets the students’ tuition costs.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC): Since 2003, VTA has hosted Bay Area high school students interested in public transportation. In recent years, participants have worked in the Finance and Budget division, but other divisions are available. Internships are paid for by Pathways for Students.
Strive San Jose: Since 2016, VTA has been working with the Silicon Valley Organization and its community and the San Jose, Campbell and Eastside Union school district partners to introduce high school students to a career in public transportation. Interns have worked in Technology, Communications, Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, and Apprenticeship Coordination.
VTA is always recruiting interns. Please contact Natalie Chavez for more information at (408) 321-5658.