Connecting Roads Lead to Great Success – Cesar Chavez Students Travel to the DOT

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is changing the face of the transportation industry one woman at a time.

Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy 11th grade girls, who traveled from their Capitol Hill and Parkside campuses for their school’s required fellowship program at the DOT, recently graduation from the 3-week program.  Their experience began with a one week orientation in April, and they returned in June for two weeks of practical work experience and opportunities to learn important life skills.  Host sponsor volunteers from the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highways Administration, Federal Transit Administration and Research Innovation and Technology Administration  took students under their wings and helped them learn about such things as bridge technology, NCI Charrette public involvement techniques, and that long meetings lead to important missions that make our travel more convenient and safe.

Additional activities guided students to gain a better understanding of the world of work while gaining life skills that will encourage future success academically, professionally and personally.   Supportive life skills activities included an alcohol awareness activity with line-dancing instruction, “Budget Basics that Make Cents” workshop, Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills seminar, Teen Panel for DOT Parents of Teens, and a personal safety and self defense class.  The students’ 3-week experience culminated with a graduation celebration on June 18th.

Not only did this experience help these young ladies fulfill a very important part of their 11th grade school requirement, it reminded DOT employees that bridging communities together and uniting experiences fosters opportunities for all of us to learn.