The N.C. Department of Transportation's HBCU/MSI Internship Program provides hands-on, real-world experience for students attending historically black colleges or universities (HBCU) or minority-serving institutions (MSI).
The 10-week summer internship program is an ideal way for graduate and undergraduate students to gain work experience with the various divisions, branches, and units within NCDOT, while learning what a career in the transportation industry can offer.
Essential components of the internship experience include professional development workshops on skills such as résumé building, business writing and networking.
Interns also work with executive and senior leadership staff and develop important connections that can be helpful in future professional endeavors.
Who Should Apply?
Recent graduates or rising juniors, seniors or graduate students enrolled full time at an accredited HBCU/MSI should apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Qualified applicants must:
Be a resident of North Carolina
- Be a 2021 graduate or rising junior, senior or graduate student
Have proof of enrollment at an HBCU/MSI
Have a strong academic record with at least a 2.5 grade point average
Have the legal right to work in the United States
Successful applicants have:
Innovative ideas for enhancing NCDOT programs and initiatives
Exceptional communication and organization skills
An interest in working on state government reform efforts
The flexibility to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Application Process
Applicants should carefully review the available positions and identify the area in which they are interested in working.
Frequently Asked Questions
The N.C. Department of Transportation offers internships in many fields, including aviation, communications and information technology, as well as positions in the Division of Motor Vehicles, Division of Highways, Office of Civil Rights, Powell Bill Unit and Governance Office.
The work and projects an intern might be involved in varies depending on the assignment. A communications intern, for example, might:
- Draft and distribute press releases
- Pitch story ideas to media outlets
- Put out information on social media
- Produce website content
- Do research for transportation news
- Assist with special events
A Powell Bill intern might:
- Help update the Powell Bill Manual
- Update videos and tutorials
- Use a geographic information system for Powell Bill street digitizing
- Analyze historical data
Interns are responsible for securing their own housing.
An NCDOT team member will contact applicants whose experiences and interests match an open internship position. Interviews are generally scheduled in March and April. NCDOT cannot respond to requests for status updates due to the high number of applications received each semester.
A cover letter is not required, but applicants should share their passion for the position through their resume and when answering preliminary questions during the application process.