WTS-DC Expands TYOU Outreach with Student Engagement
Written by: Jessica Allen, Maddie Hutchins, Polly Hansen, Jessica Allen, Paquilla Jones, Circe Torruellas & Melanie Flores
The WTS DC Chapter’s Transportation YOU (TYOU) Committee has been actively engaging students across the District this spring through a series of educational and career-focused events designed to inspire the next generation of transportation professionals.
The month began on March 6 with a visit to DDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) with local Boy Scouts. During the tour, students were introduced to the systems that keep Washington, DC moving from real-time traffic monitoring using cameras and sensors to coordinating incident response and preparing roadways for major events.
On March 10, TYOU volunteers connected virtually with high school students participating in goDCgo’s Transportation All Star Program. The session sparked conversations about transportation careers, allowed students to share their interests, and highlighted WTS opportunities.
Later in the month, on March 24, students from McKinley Technology High School visited WMATA’s Greenbelt Rail Yard and Maintenance Facility. The experience offered a behind-the-scenes look at Metrorail operations, where students explored railcar maintenance, safety practices, and advanced technologies such as Automatic Train Operations (ATO), while engaging directly with industry professionals.
Rounding out the outreach efforts, WTS DC partnered with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and COMTO DC to host a mentorship event at Cardozo High School. Students had the opportunity to connect with women leaders in transportation, discuss career pathways and academic goals, and participate in a vision board activity focused on future aspirations.
Together, these initiatives highlight WTS DC’s ongoing commitment to mentorship, education, and creating meaningful pathways into the transportation industry for students across the region.