The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) conducted Nov. 11 career exploration sessions for 28 students in the San Antonio Independent School District’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Volunteers from Pape-Dawson Engineers together with consultants from the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International Transportation YOU Program organized the sessions.
Students watched a live crash test of roadside safety devices at the TTI Proving Ground, as well as toured the Institute’s Environmental and Emissions Research Facility, Visibility Research Laboratory, and Driving Simulator. They also attended a presentation about TTI’s Teens in the Driver Seat® program and completed an educational activity.
WTS International is a professional, global society committed to connecting, supporting and advancing women in transportation. The Transportation YOU Program provides mentoring opportunities for girls ages 13–18 to introduce them to various transportation careers and offers a forum for asking questions and getting advice. Local WTS chapters volunteer with the Transportation YOU Program to inspire girls to think about transportation careers and pursue related coursework and career paths.
“Encouraging young women to consider careers in transportation is one of the goals of the workforce development mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers (UTC) program,” says Sue Chrysler, TTI senior research scientist and director of the Institute’s Safety through Disruption UTC. “This group was particularly motivated, interested and a joy to work with.”