US DOT's Entrepreneurial Training Women and Girls Internship Program, Deadline: October 17, 2011

I wanted to share with you information regarding the US DOT's Entrepreneurial Training Women and Girls Internship Program. The Great Lakes Region is currently accepting applications for the fall semester!  The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) operates the SBTRC for the Great Lakes Region that covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As part of the SBTRC, the IHCC will continue the Entrepreneurial Training Women and Girls Internship Program, placing qualified female college students in transportation related internships throughout the Great Lake Region.

The mission of the Women and Girls Program is to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology and then use that knowledge to become the nation's future transportation leaders. The program is part of a broader effort, led by the White House Council on Women and Girls, to ensure that federal programs and policies take into account the distinct needs and concerns of women and girls. Accepted students will be placed with companies in the transportation industry related to their major of study and located in the city the students are attending school.

Important Dates:Application collection: August through October 17th
Interviews: September through October 21st
Placement: September through November 1st

Program Requirements:Applicants must be current female college students with an interest in the transportation industry. Applicants will be selected based on a four-part process:
- GPA - 2.8 or higher to qualify
- Letter of interest from the student
- Letter of Recommendation
- Interview

Accepted interns:- are required to work a minimum of 5 hours per week. Overall hours vary by company between 75-125 hrs.
- will be placed with relevant transportation companies in the city where they are attending school.

Placement companies included: Antigua Construction, HNTB, CivCon Services, Environmental Analysis, F.H. Paschen, Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation, Milhouse Engineering and Construction and Primera Engineers.

International students: The internship program is available for international students, however only students with J1 Visa’s would be eligible to receive a stipend at the end of their internship. International students willing to work without compensation, may apply for experience only internships.  To receive the stipend, an international student must have a J1 visa, written authorization to work from the US Immigration Service,  a Social Security Number before work commences, and write a letter showing their need for the stipend.

To apply students can visit visit http://www.osdbu.dot.gov/WG/applications.cfm and email completed application to ksheehan@ihccbusiness.net.