2018-2019 MDOT-MSU Graduate School Internship Program Provides Much-Needed Employees

The 2018-2019 MDOT/MSU Graduate School Internship program concluded with a luncheon and a bit of good news - several interns had been offered employment contracts and others will be interning for a second year.

The year-long paid internships give Morgan State University students from a variety of majors the chance to undertake responsibility for projects and administrative functions within the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Dr. Andrew Farkas, director of both the National Transportation Center and the Urban Mobility & Equity Center at Morgan State University, which administer the program at Morgan, said of the program, "It changes lives, and I'm sure many of the students here can attest to that."

At MDOT, Sheryl Johnson in Organizational Development & Employee Training and Frank Barber in Human Resources are instrumental in organizing the program, which places students in units ranging from the Secretary of Transportation's office to the Maryland Aviation Administration to the State Highway Administration.

Danny Brown, who is working on a master's degree in Transportation & Urban Infrastructure Studies, interned in the MDOT MTA's bus maintenance department, where he focused on quality assurance, quality control and warranty claims processes.

"Everything revolves around detail," he said. "I'm a numbers person, so it was perfect fit for me."

MDOT's Bryan Walker mentored intern Olalekan Asaolu in the Office of Transportation Technology Services, an office that manages $500 million in contracts.

"Ola has made it easy - he's been able to take projects and run with them," Walker said. "I'm hoping I can get a budget for more interns."

Brandee Gross, who mentored four interns in MTA's bus maintenance department, said, "These guys have been like a godsend. We have been able to accomplish so many projects this year because of having them." And the MTA will continue to have them - two have been hired as contractors and the other two will return for a second year as interns.

The year-long program, which allows students to work part time during the school year and full time during the summer, honored the students and their mentors at a luncheon at Morgan on June 18, 2019.

The keynote speaker was Al Pollard, A.A.E., chief, Division of Martin State Airport Operations & Maintenance.

He urged students to follow their dreams, take chances, "and don't let someone tell you you can't do it. Do you have any idea how many times Thomas Edison tried the light bulb before he got it to work?"

He also spoke about the power of networking.

"The opportunities presented to you may not be doors you open yourself; it's not only who you know but who knows you. The person who knows you can make a recommendation for you to an employer who has a position. You never know who that person is who will open a door for you."