Four USC transportation undergraduates, Thomas Check (Civil Engineering (CE)), Felipe Helman (Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)), Takahiro Kuwabara (ISE), and Benjamin Richardson (CE) have each been awarded two year, paid internships from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) as part of the new College Internship Program. Designed to give students practical work experience in transportation engineering and planning, the program allows each intern four, six-month rotations between the various LADOT offices including Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Valley, West Los Angeles, and San Pedro. Duties include assisting with engineering field investigations, reviewing traffic records and planning documents, conducting research, participating on project teams, and interacting with private citizens, local businesses, public agencies, and the staff of elected officials among other things. “Meeting professionals in the field has aided me in many ways and the opportunities are endless at LADOT,” remarked USC ISE junior, Takahiro Kuwabara. “Because you are being shifted around many different locations, you are able to work with many different people and get involved in many different tasks. This job not only gives us hands-on experience in the field but also expands our view and understanding of it. I really enjoy my job because I know my work is important and is helping the everyday lives of Los Angeles residents.” For more information about LADOT, visit http://www.ladot.lacity.org/index.htm