MNDOT Career Pathway Programs

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MNDOT Career Pathway Programs

We recruit and develop a highly qualified, talented, diverse workforce for MnDOT.

MnDOT's Career Pathway Programs provides paid positions to high school and college students as well as recent civil engineering and land surveyor graduates. The programs are designed to equip and train participants for potential permanent placement at MnDOT.

05/15/2026

🎓 Congratulations to the 2026 Career Pathway Programs Graduates!

MnDOT’s Career Pathway Programs team is proud to celebrate 20 students graduating from high school and college this spring, along with 13 Graduate Engineers and Land Surveyors completing their two-year training program with the agency.

For 21 of these CPP grads, this milestone isn't a goodbye but just one step on their public service career path. We are excited they chose to continue building a bright future for all Minnesotans in new MnDOT roles!

To all our graduates: thank you for the hard work, fresh ideas, and the positive energy you brought to MnDOT. We’re excited to see where your path leads next and proud to have been a part of your journey. 🚀

05/05/2026

From Seeds Student Worker to MnDOT’s newest Management Analyst, Ninsima Kargaruki chose to build her career at a place where she knew she could make an impact.

Ninsima began her MnDOT journey in Business Automation in June 2024, then continued growing her skills through the MnROW program after earning her master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from the University of St. Thomas. This spring, she officially stepped into her permanent role within MnDOT's Office of Human Resources.

When asked why she chose to continue building her career at MnDOT, Ninsima shared:

"Being part of a mission-driven agency dedicated to public service has been incredibly rewarding. At MnDOT, I’ve benefited from a supportive environment, exposure to diverse projects, and the opportunity to contribute to work that directly serves Minnesotans, all while strengthening both my technical and leadership skills. The mentorship and encouragement I’ve received here have been invaluable, and I’m excited to see how my career can continue to grow at MnDOT.”

04/29/2026

📍 MnDOT’s Career Pathway Programs give students and recent grads the tools to start building their careers. Each program gives participants the chance to gain real-world technical experience while building their networking and interpersonal skills.

🏗️ Over the past year, 29 students and recent graduates chose to continue growing their skills at MnDOT by moving into another pathway program or returning for another summer experience. Stacking programs and experiences is a powerful way to build confidence and be prepared to step into the workforce.

💡 Curious about where the Pathways could take you? Learn more at mndot.gov/careers/student-grad.html

04/17/2026

Do you know any high school juniors who are curious about STEM careers? MnDOT’s Phoenix Student Worker Program offers high school juniors a unique, paid opportunity to explore transportation careers and gain real-world experience.

Phoenix students work alongside industry professionals on current MnDOT projects, building skills they can use for years to come. They will also:
👉 Attend specialized training and workshop sessions
👉 Explore different work areas of MnDOT
👉 Start building a professional network early in their career

This program is open to current high school juniors enrolled in advanced STEM courses. Applications are accepted through May 29.

📍 Help your student identify a career path in transportation!

Learn more and apply: mndot.gov/careers/phoenix.html

Pictured: the 2025 Phoenix Students got an up-close look at the work MnDOT's Maintenance team performs during a field trip to the Oakdale Truck station.

04/14/2026

📣Help recruit and develop MnDOT's next generation of Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors!

MnDOT's Graduate Engineer and Land Surveyor Training Program has an opening for a Staffing and Operations Coordinator. In this role, you will work closely with the Grad Program Manager on classification, recruitment and selection, compensation, and staffing of the Grad Trainees. Additionally, you will serve as the operations coordinator, ensuring trainees receive the necessary materials, documentation, and training to meet all program milestones.

🔗Learn more and apply at mn.gov/careers - keyword 91007
Don't delay! The application period closes on Monday, April 27!

04/08/2026

MnDOT's Seeds Student Workers aren't just gaining experience; they are growing. Besides applying their classroom knowledge to current MnDOT projects, they build confidence and professional skills to advance their careers while still in school.

This winter, students in the Seeds Student Worker Program spent a day connecting with recruiters from several Minnesota State agencies, learning what skills and backgrounds agencies seek. They also participated in workshops on resume writing and interview techniques to help them get noticed during their job search.

The Seeds program is dedicated to developing the next generation of highly-trained public servants. Want to learn more? Visit mndot.gov/careers/seeds.html

04/03/2026

Set yourself up for a confident, steady ride into your MnDOT interview with these helpful tips:

🚲 Do your homework - Learn about MnDOT’s mission, the communities we serve, and the expectations of the role (hint: the job description is a great place to start)

🚲 Come prepared with examples - Minnesota state agencies use behavioral/competency-based interviews. You’ll be asked about real situations you’ve handled in the past so we can understand how you might approach similar situations in the future. You can draw on experiences from work, school, or even your personal life.

🚲 Show your enthusiasm - Be alert, engaged, and don’t be afraid to let your inner transportation nerd shine

🚲 Ask thoughtful questions - Bring a couple of questions based on what you learned in your pre‑interview research. It shows interest and preparation.

💡Remember: nerves are normal. Instead of thinking of the interview as a pop quiz for a class you didn't take, think of it as an opportunity to tell your story. This is your chance to highlight the skills and successes that brought you here.

Learn more about competency-based interviews at mndot.gov/careers/competency-based-interviewing.html

03/27/2026

Last summer, Arianna Martinez joined MnDOT’s Civil Engineering Student Worker Program (CEP) to gain hands-on experience in the engineering field. She was excited to apply what she’d learned in the classroom to real-world projects.

“Coming in, I had no knowledge of bridges, but everyone at the Bridge Office welcomed me and took their time to teach me what I needed to know,” she shared.

Through the CEP summer program, Arianna discovered a growing interest in bridges and structural engineering, which she plans to explore further in school.

“Overall, my experience was great,” she said. “I’m grateful for the mentors and connections I made at MnDOT’s Bridge Office and for the support I received on my project.”

She especially appreciated her manager’s support. “My manager was a great leader. Even when he got busy, he'd take the time to check in with me,” Arianna said.

Learn more about MnDOT’s Career Pathway Programs at mndot.gov/careers/student-grad.html

03/20/2026

MnDOT’s Career Pathway Programs (CPP) are more than a first step; they’re a full journey. With five specialized student worker and entry-level programs, participants gain:
✅ Real-world skills
✅ Professional experience
✅ A clear path to their career goals

Besides working alongside MnDOT professionals on current Minnesota projects, CPP participants also benefit from career development classes, supportive supervisors, and the chance to build lasting professional networks. In fact, 61% of CPP grads chose to stay with MnDOT last year because they found purpose, support, and meaningful work.

We don’t just support the future workforce. We help shape it.

Ready to take your next step?
Learn more: mndot.gov/careers/student-grad.html

03/10/2026

Exciting news! The Minnesota Department of Transportation was named a 2026 Handshake Early Talent Award Winner!

This award highlights MnDOT's commitment to building a strong, innovative workforce for the future. A big thank you to the recruiters who promote MnDOT’s early‑career jobs and to the student workers and recent grads who make a real impact on Minnesota’s transportation system every day.

It is an honor to receive this award!

Address

395 John Ireland Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN
55155

Telephone

+16513663380

Website

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/careers/student-grad.html

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