Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Phoenix Internship Program

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Student internships for high school students

The Phoenix Program is a partnership between MnDOT and Project Lead The Way which provides student jobs and paid internships for high school students enrolled in science, technology, engineering or mathematics courses at area Project Lead the Way high schools.

The program also partners with local youth employment organizations including Step Up: Achieve, Right Track, and EMERGE. Students who do not attend a Project Lead the Way school but are participating in one of our other partner programs are also eligible for the program.

Please note: If there are no project lead the way schools in or near a MnDOT district, students interested in STEM related careers and students who attend schools that include advanced STEM curriculum are also eligible for the program.

By working at various MnDOT offices and districts statewide, Phoenix interns students gain on-the-job work experience in a variety of areas.

  • Students must be enrolled in a Project Lead the Way high School, or participating in Step Up, Right Track or EMERGE Youth Employment programs. 
    •  If there are no project lead the way high schools in or near a MnDOT district, students interested in STEM related careers and students who attend schools that include advanced STEM curriculum also qualify.
  • Must be taking (or have taken) Project Lead the Way classes
    •  Engineering and or advanced STEM related classes can be supplemented for project lead the way classes for students who do not attend a PLTW high school.
  • Must have completed junior year and going into senior year of high school
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA

  • Interns are hired each year in Cohorts. They start at beginning of each summer.
  • The job posting and application supplement are open between February and May each year.
  • Selected students will participate in the formal interview process.
  • Interns start as a Cohort and participate in an orientation prior to their first day in their assigned work location.

Students have two Phoenix intern tracks they can choose from:

  • Year-Round Phoenix Intern Track – interns work full time, 32 to 40 hours per week during the summer, then up to 15 hours weekly during the school year. Students must work minimum four hours per pay period during the school year to participate in the year-round track.
  • Summer Only Phoenix Intern Track – requires only summer participation; working fulltime (32 to 40 hours per week) from June through August.

  • $15.00 per hour

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Minnesota has suspended the hiring process for the below job openings until further notice.