The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking high school students for the Youth Development and Mentoring Program (YDMP). The mission of the program, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is to prepare a diverse workforce for the future by providing students with opportunities to pursue higher education, personal growth, and transportation careers.

“The program values responsibility, empowerment, respect, integrity, relationship-building, and safety,” said MDOT Southwest Region Engineer Kimberly Avery. “MDOT offers mentoring activities and sessions to teach job and life skills, introduce college and university options, and present high school students and recent high school graduates with information about careers in civil engineering, road construction and maintenance, planning, and other areas of transportation.”

Successful applicants must be high school students or recent high school graduates at least 16 years old, have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or principal. For some positions, a valid driver’s license also is required.

Positions pay between $9 and $12.50 an hour. Students can learn more about the YDMP and apply online at www.michigan.gov/mdot-ydmp. There are multiple team member and team leader positions available.

The training and mentoring element of the YDMP is designed to enhance communication skills, develop leadership qualities, and improve awareness of transportation career opportunities. Through site visits to MDOT facilities, tours of construction sites and educational institutions, and participation in college and career fairs, participants will receive practical, hands-on experiences that will provide opportunities and exposure to various aspects of transportation.

The Michigan Civil Service Commission provides an option for on-site career planning and résumé writing to participants at each region office. Mentoring sessions will be conducted for YDMP participants who will have the opportunity to attend several types of training and mentoring activities, including college readiness planning, personal finance and accounting, résumé writing and interviewing, and participation in activities at private engineering firms specifically tailored to introduce surveying, concrete testing and analysis, civil engineering, and other transportation activities.