What is the cost of a USDOT internship?
Interns are generally responsible for paying for their food, local transportation, entertainment, and other personal expenses. It is recommended that interns have health insurance to cover any emergencies. Generally, the students' costs for transportation from their home city to the post of duty and return, as well as pre-arranged low-cost housing, are provided by the contracting organization. The contractor generally provides a small weekly stipend to each intern.
If you place your name on the list of students to be considered, you will be informed of the exact conditions before the actual internship appointment is offered. If the financial arrangements are not acceptable under your circumstances, you should decline the internship. We should be able to provide more complete information early enough to allow you time to make the best decision.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
If I were selected, where would I be working?
Almost all USDOT summer internships that are established through the Minority Serving Institutions and Educational Partnerships Office are located in Washington DC. However, we do occasionally have internships with USDOT facilities in other areas of the country.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
Where would I be living?
Low-cost housing for summer interns is usually pre-arranged by the contracting organization that oversees the internship program. Every effort is made to house interns together in facilities such as dormitories, apartment buildings, or other temporary residential arrangements. The interns prefer this because it promotes an after-hours support network while interns are living in a strange city. Our experience has been that interns are generally satisfied with the housing provided.
Once the details of the summer program have been worked out, we will provide more complete information to allow you time to make the best decision if an internship opportunity is offered to you.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
How do I get on the list to be considered for an internship?
MSI recently established an online application. This application can be completed and submitted online by clicking the submit button at the bottom of the application form. Please enter your name and address, as it should appear on a mailing label. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
May an Intern begin an assignment before the official start date or leave before the end?
No, the dates on the recruitment application are really strict. Interns must arrive in Washington, DC for the initial orientation and work at their assigned location through the last day of the program.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
What if an intern doesn't work out?
MSI partners work with program managers to resolve issues that may exist between interns and host sites. If problems exist and cannot be resolved, the internship can be terminated.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
If an intern is sent to a three-day seminar in another city, who pays the expenses?
Host site must treat interns as if they were employees with regard to training and job-related travel expenses. The DOT host pays for any registration fee, travel, lodging, and per diem as if the intern were a staff member.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
If a student interns during the fall and also wants to intern for the spring or summer, is that possible?
Yes, you may name request a student to fill your internship positions as long as they are currently enrolled in school. You identify the MSI partnership program and student for the assignment. The student must complete the application process with the sponsoring MSI partner organization.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
Who is responsible for locating student housing?
The MSI partner organization works closely with interns to locate safe and affordable housing within commuting distance of the work site. Host sites may provide low-cost or free housing to interns if such quarters are available. We encourage host supervisors to explore all options. In instances where several interns are working at the same site or in close proximity to one another, efforts will be made by the MSI partner to locate common housing.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
If an intern has family or friends in the area, can an intern live with them during the internship period?
Yes, but you will need to tell us as soon as you are accepted and provide us with your address, telephone, and name of household. Otherwise, we will go ahead and arrange housing for you.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
Do returning students have to attend the DOT orientation?
Yes, each orientation is different. As our program grows and expands, we make changes that you will need to know about. Besides, orientation is a great place to meet your fellow interns.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
Can students with disabilities participate in DOT's MSI internship programs?
Yes. MSI encourages college students with disabilities to participate in our internship programs.
[TABLE OF CONTENTS]
NOTE:
Some documents may require a special program for viewing. Click below to download any of these programs for free:
 DOC Documents
 PPT Documents
 PDF Documents
| 
