MNDOT Career Pathway Programs

Home
United States
Saint Paul, MN
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.

08/27/2026

MnDOT’s Phoenix Student Worker Program gives high school students an early look at transportation careers. Beginning the summer before their senior year, students work up to 40 hours/week alongside MnDOT professionals on real projects that support Minnesota communities. They can then continue working part‑time during the school year to keep growing their professional skills and understanding.

This year, all 15 students who joined the Phoenix Program chose to stay on through their senior year.

Additionally, 10 former Phoenix students who completed the program in June chose to continue working at MnDOT as they head into college, bringing real‑world insight to their classroom learning.

Learn more at mndot.gov/careers/phoenix.html

08/06/2026

Hanna Zaremba began working at MnDOT the summer before her senior year at Irondale High School. Through the Phoenix Student Worker Program, she got a close look at how the Advancing Equity team collects and uses data to identify and contract work available to local small businesses. Now, as a Seeds Student Worker, Hanna continues to grow her skills and responsibilities with the Advancing Equity team.

“I think the MnDOT Career Pathway Programs are a great opportunity for those interested. I learned a lot of workplace skills and how to do a lot of things with data,” Hanna shared.

This fall, Hanna will attend the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. Reflecting on her past year at MnDOT, she said, “It’s a good experience for any future career, whether it’s in a related field or not. I’ve also met a lot of great people who worked with me and supported me.”

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

07/29/2026

MnDOT's Career Pathway Programs strive to give program participants something more than your run-of-the-mill internship experiences.

Yesterday, a small group of Civil Engineering Student Workers visited Lock and Dam 1 in Minneapolis to learn how the lock and dam works, its history, current transportation use, and the work the Army Corps of Engineers does. They also had a rare opportunity to see the inside of the hollow dam, which connects to the power plant on the other side of the river.

The Civil Engineering Student Worker Program also gives a special shout-out to Head Operator Curt Larsen for sharing his knowledge, humor, and also asking our students questions to ponder as they finish their summer at MnDOT.

07/24/2026

🚘 Get your career started with MnDOT's Career Pathway Programs

The CPP is more than a first step; it’s a complete journey. With five specialized student worker and entry-level programs, participants gain:
✅ Real-world skills
✅ Professional experience
✅ A clear path to their career goals

Additionally, CPP participants have access to career development classes, supportive supervisors, and the chance to build lasting professional networks. In fact, 59% of CPP grads chose to stay with MnDOT last year because they found purpose, support, and meaningful work.

We don’t just build the future workforce. We create future leaders.

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

07/01/2026

Yesterday, MnDOT staff and leadership gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of participants in the Phoenix, Seeds, and MnROW programs over the past year at Seeds & Phoenix Day 2026.

Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger spoke with the students about MnDOT’s commitment to fostering a thriving workforce and the important role every employee plays in creating and maintaining a multimodal transportation system that serves all Minnesotans.

In addition to celebrating their achievements, participants heard career-growth advice from Tracey Williams-Dillard, took a deep dive into understanding emotional intelligence, and learned about the importance of taking time to reset, both physically and mentally, through movement during the workday.

06/05/2026

Last month, MNDOT welcomed 30 college students to the Civil Engineering Student Worker summer program (CEP), and this past week, almost everyone came together for an official welcome to the 2026 CEP cohort.

The CEP program began 15 years ago to give students an opportunity to spend the summer working alongside MnDOT engineers, gaining up-close, hands-on experience that helps them apply their classroom knowledge to real-world projects.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to attend a couple of different field trips to witness other civil engineering pathways, and are paired with a MnDOT Grad Engineer mentor to help them plan their next career steps.

Learn more about the Civil Engineering Student Worker Program at mndot.gov/careers/civil-engineering-program.html

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.

Address

395 John Ireland Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN
55155

Telephone

+16513663380

Website

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MNDOT Career Pathway Programs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Saint Paul?