Description
Work on meaningful transit projects, strengthen your network, build your professional skills, and earn a stipend in summer 2025! The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) which administers federal funding to support locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the United States. The Diversity in Federal Transit (DFT) Internship Program helps deliver on the FTA’s targeted diversity and inclusion strategies for its future workforce.
To be considered for this internship, please create a profile and complete the DFT application at https://washingtoncenter.my.site.com/s/login/ by January 20, 2025. It is required that you apply via TWC’s online application portal. Students who only apply via SACNAS will receive a follow-up message requesting that they complete a full application via TWC's online portal to be considered.
The program runs for 10 weeks, from June 2-August 8, 2025.
Daily tasks will vary depending on your academic area, your skills, and the office in which you’re working. DFT internship work is substantive and may include projects in transit planning, data analysis, data management, research, policy analysis, article and report writing, internal communications, presentation preparation and delivery, stakeholder outreach, or information technology. Each intern is supervised and supported by an FTA host, and frequent professional development workshops are provided by USDOT and The Washington Center.
As a career-development nonprofit organization, The Washington Center administers this program on behalf of and in close coordination with the Federal Transit Administration. Read more on our website: https://twc.edu/programs/FTA.DFT
A stipend of $6,100-$8,100 for undergraduate interns and $8,100-$10,100 for graduate and law interns is provided. The final stipend amount is based on your decision to accept or reject TWC-organized shared housing. Shared (with fellow interns as roommates) housing near the internship site is provided if requested. Round-trip funded travel to and from the internship site city is also provided for non-local interns.
Requirements
This is a competitive program and not all applicants are guaranteed acceptance. DFT interns are placed in a variety of roles and office locations within the FTA based on major, educational level, skills, and geographical preference. First-generation college students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and other people traditionally under-represented in federal transit careers are strongly encouraged to apply.
In order to apply, you will need to:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a CURRENT student enrolled in a degree-seeking program (AA/AS, BA/BS, Masters, JD, MD, or PhD) at an accredited higher education institution during the internship (visit ed.gov/accreditation to verify your school and/or program of study). Students pursuing only a credential or certificate program will be considered ineligible.
- Have completed your freshman year of college before the internship begins.
- Applicants who are scheduled to graduate during the spring or summer semesters of this academic year are not eligible for consideration for FTA DFT unless: (1) they have been accepted for graduate school enrollment, or other enrollment at an institution of higher education for a degree program; or (2) their acceptance is pending. There will be no exceptions.
- 2.5 GPA or higher required.
- Be available to work onsite at FTA offices in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere in the United States for the duration of the 10-week program.
To be considered for this internship, please create a profile and complete the DFT application at https://washingtoncenter.my.site.com/s/login/ by January 20, 2025. It is required that you apply via TWC’s online application portal. Students who only apply via AISES will receive a follow-up message requesting that they complete a full application via TWC's online portal to be considered.
