SHIP seeks to increase the interest of high school graduates planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university in transportation careers, but specifically in civil engineering. SHIP allows students to experience what it's like working in a professional or technical environment and a chance to earn money toward their college education.

Students are eligible to participate in SHIP the summer after high school graduation and prior to entering their freshman year of college. Eligible students must have applied to or have been accepted to a two- or four-year college offering civil engineering.

With only 10 percent of engineers in the United States being women, "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" strives to promote engineering as a desirable career option to young adults. Students have the opportunity to participate in hands-on transportation related engineering activities and also participate in a question and answer session with some of the department's female engineers from various disciplines. NCDOT engineers also share the daily duties and skills necessary for their jobs while encouraging young women to maintain their math and science skills, which are necessary to enter programs in college.

CEAP was designed to work within the classrooms across North Carolina to increase the number of students interested in a career in the transportation field or civil engineering. The program is available to teachers and students from kindergarten through high school to explore careers available at NCDOT. Teachers may request NCDOT professionals to participate in a variety of educational activities, classroom presentations, mentoring, job shadowing and career fairs.

Construction Career Days is an excellent opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn about rewarding careers in the commercial and highway construction industry. For more information check out the Construction Career Days website.

Middle and high school teachers are invited to give students an opportunity to test their skills in problem-solving strategies, critical thinking, brainstorming, and design while constructing a model truss bridge. The competition goes a step further by requiring students to use their public speaking and presentation skills to compete for a $500 award and bragging rights.

For more information, check out the Model Bridge Building Competition Web Site.