According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), the nation will need to increase the number of civil engineers by 18 percent in the next eight years to design and construct or expand the nation's roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. The Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) program was created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to generate interest in transportation careers among middle and high school students. TRAC is designed to address two related needs: recruiting more of the best students for transportation and engineering careers, and creating greater diversity among the workforce.

TRAC is a free program that provides teachers with curriculum-enhancing, hands-on tools for their math, science, and social science classes. Teacher participation in the TRAC Program allows their students to share in two additional programs: the TRAC Pipeline discussed below, and the TRAC Michigan Bridge contest. MDOT's program manager for the TRAC program is Jan Pohl.

For information about the TRAC program, go to the TRAC web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot-trac or contact Julie at Vanportflietj@michigan.gov or at 906-786-1830, Ext. 317.

The TRAC Pipeline Internship Program, is an extension of the TRAC program designed to provide opportunities for 11th and 12th grade students. During the summer, these students work with MDOT civil engineers and learn more about the rewards and challenges of a career in civil engineering. MDOT has worked diligently to recruit promising students from around the state to apply for this prestigious internship. . MDOT is doing its part to make certain the TRAC Pipeline Internship Program continuously adds new faces to the field of civil engineering. This program now boasts 20 statewide paid internships, with two out of three interns from the 2008 program having returned to MDOT as college co-op students in 2009.

Following the success of the Pipeline program for 12th graders, this year the program has expanded to include 11th grade interns.

Questions about the TRAC Internship? Contact Candice Braddock at braddockc@michigan.gov or 517-373-0790.