Applications accepted through March 26 for Public Transportation Apprenticeships and Internships

Experience in a chosen field is an important thing to have when looking for a job; however, getting that initial experience in the first place can be challenging. For current college seniors and graduate students, the N.C. Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division’s Apprenticeship and Internship programs offer the real-world experience necessary to pursue a career in the field of public transportation. Due to recent winter weather, the application period has been extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26.

The Public Transportation Internship Program gives graduate students the opportunity to work in the field of public transportation while completing their graduate degree. One internship is available through this year’s program with Chapel Hill Transit in Orange County. More information on the 12-month paid internship can be found here.

The Public Transportation Apprenticeship Program gives current college seniors the opportunity to work in the field of public transportation management upon receiving their undergraduate degree. A total of nine apprenticeships are available in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Fayetteville, the Triangle and Wilmington. More information on the 12-month paid apprenticeships can be found here.

To apply for the internship or one of the nine apprenticeships, interested applicants must complete a State of North Carolina Employment Application, as well as other required documents, which can be found on the NCDOT Public Transportation Division website under the “Apprenticeships and Internships” heading.

Debbie Collins Named Public Transportation Division Director

Debbie Collins has joined the ranks of NCDOT’s Public Transportation Division as director. Debbie started February 3 and oversees the day-to-day operations of the division, which fosters the development of intercity, urban and rural public transportation in North Carolina.

“Debbie is a seasoned professional, with a deep knowledge of public transportation,” said NCDOT Deputy Secretary for Transit Richard Walls. “Her experience and expertise will not only be of great benefit to the division, but also to the public transportation systems serving all 100 counties of North Carolina.”

Debbie comes to NCDOT from N.C. State University’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) where she previously served as co-director of the Institute’s Public Transportation Group, as well as program manager for the Urban Transit Assistance Program and manager of the North Carolina Transit Program.

Prior to her time at ITRE, Debbie worked with the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, the Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council and the City of High Point, and held several positions with the Winston-Salem Transit Authority. She is a 1977 graduate of Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science. She also holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

In addition to her work experience and participation in several national public transportation projects, Debbie has served on several boards and committees including the North Carolina Public Transportation Association, the American Public Transit Association (APTA) Technology Procurement Working Group and the Institute of Transportation Engineers Technical Advisory Group on Planning for ITS Transit Training Standards Modules. She was also the recipient of the NCDOT Governor’s Award for Public Transportation in 2000.

A native of Lexington, Va., Collins lives in Salisbury with her husband, Rip. The couple has two children, Will and Casey.