01518617

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2414-06

http://scholar.google.com...omas&publication_year=2014

Critical to building an American workforce with 21st century skills is the recruitment and graduation of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. However, a nationwide lack of student interest and preparation in these fields results in a shortage of workforce talent. The transportation field is not immune to this shortage and faces significant issues related to attracting and retaining transportation professionals. Thus, it is crucial to raise awareness of opportunities available through the transportation profession with precollege students. The Transportation Engineering Careers (TREC) program at the University of Memphis is designed to engage students in active challenge-based learning, to showcase the variety of transportation engineering career opportunities through visits from industry professionals, and to provide interaction with peer role models through a structured mentoring component. This paper presents a brief review of relevant literature, a description of the University of Memphis TREC program and its evolution since 2010, the evaluation results from four years of participants, and preliminary results from a longitudinal survey. Lessons learned from the program assessment in attracting students to transportation professions are also discussed.

01537215

14-0349

English

pp 45–51

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309295048

Print

References (26) ; Tables (6)

High school students; Recruiting; Transportation careers; Transportation engineering; Vocational guidance

University of Memphis

Education and Training; Transportation (General); I10: Economics and Administration

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 2:12PM

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