2023 Program for Emerging Professional Women

WTS - Florida’s Capital Area recognizes the importance of supporting emerging professionals as a means of sustaining the long-term viability of our Chapter. As one of several efforts to ensure the future success of our Chapter, the Program for Emerging Professional Women will assist in the development of future leaders by providing an annual award to the WTS - Florida’s Capital Area community. 

Eligible applicants must work in a transportation-related career and not be eligible to receive reimbursement from their employer for WTS membership expenses.  Applicants should have no more than five years of full-time post-graduate professional experience in the transportation field. 

Selected participants of the Program for Emerging Professional Women will receive the following:

• Paid membership dues from January through December 2023;
• Paid attendance at chapter luncheons, professional development events, the 2023 Annual Gala, and more.
• Mentoring from a senior transportation professional through December 2023.

Through the course of their term, selected participants must agree to Chapter involvement and professional development by meeting the following requirements:

• Attend at least two Board meetings (one of which shall be in January or February; the other shall be in September or October)
• Assume an active, responsible committee role or other position of responsibility in the Chapter
• Write a minimum of one (1) website article (for September publication) on her experiences with the program.
• Provide quarterly updates to the Board to show progress about program requirements;
• Meet with her WTS mentor a minimum of three (3) times during the course of the year.

WTS also encourages the selected Emerging Professionals to assume an active committee role upon completion of her Emerging Professional year (in 2023).

With the assistance of her WTS - Florida’s Capital Area mentor, each selected participant must establish a set of goals for success in the Program and meet these goals over the course of her term.  These goals should be completed in January and should include: active participation in WTS - Florida’s Capital Area, support of the WTS - Florida’s Capital Area Chapter goals, support and development of women in the transportation industry, and advancement of her own professional development goals. 

Applications must be submitted to the WTS - Florida’s Capital Area Chapter contacts below.  You can find the application, here. A Selection Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the full Board of Directors who will select participants based on majority vote.  The process is competitive and based on the applicant’s specific goals for serving in the Chapter and description of how these goals will benefit her career as well as the WTS - Florida’s Capital Area Chapter.

Anita Vandervalk

[email protected]

850-570-5906