Sound Transit Internship Programs: Launching Your Transit Career

Sound Transit, committed to enhancing life for people through planning, building, and operating public transport in the Puget Sound region, offers various internship programs. These programs provide invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience and contribute to the region's transit infrastructure. Sound Transit’s internship programs serve as a launchpad for careers in various fields, from engineering to community outreach, and offer benefits akin to full-time employment.

Overview of Sound Transit

Sound Transit is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation services throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. The agency focuses on planning, developing, and designing regional transit projects in a fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable manner. Sound Transit's commitment to openness and accountability is evident through rigorous cost and project controls, external audits, and clearly defined milestones.

Internship Opportunities at Sound Transit

Sound Transit offers internships in a multitude of disciplines, providing students and recent graduates with opportunities to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting. These internships span various departments, including:

Engineering
Information Technology
Government and Community Outreach
Business and Labor Compliance
Planning and Innovation
Operations and Public Safety

These roles provide hands-on experience, allowing interns to contribute to important projects while developing valuable skills.

Benefits of Interning at Sound Transit

Sound Transit internships offer numerous benefits, making them an attractive option for those looking to start their careers:

Professional Development: Interns gain hands-on experience through impactful projects, contributing to the region's transit development.
Networking: Internships provide opportunities to build a network of professional connections, fostering relationships with industry experts and peers.
Mentoring: Interns receive guidance for career planning and goal setting, benefiting from the experience and insights of seasoned professionals.
ORCA Card: Full-time interns receive an ORCA card at no cost, facilitating easy and affordable commuting within the region.
Paid Time Off: Interns accrue up to 4 hours of paid time off per pay period, providing flexibility and work-life balance.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for a Sound Transit internship, applicants must be current college students in good academic standing, enrolled in an accredited four-year university offering a baccalaureate or graduate degree program. They must be participating in an accredited internship through their school and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 grading scale or 3.5 on a 5.0 grading scale. A Washington State address is required for eligibility.

A Day in the Life: Intern Perspectives

Interns at Sound Transit have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and gain valuable experience. Chavez-Basurto, an intern in the Planning, Environment, and Project Development (PEPD) department, works on Sound Transit’s bike program, managing projects that impact Link light rail stations. She values the flexibility and opportunity to propose improvements in her work.

Another intern in the Communications department found the experience to be a perfect blend of Environmental Studies/Urban Sustainability and English Literature. They were a core member of the Connect 2020 Ambassador committee, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the project from start to finish.

Hybrid Work Options

Sound Transit offers a range of flexible and hybrid work options for many positions, supporting a healthy work-life balance. While employees must maintain Washington state residency, some roles are mandatory on-site, while others can choose either primarily on-site (1-2 days remote per week) or primarily remote (3-5 days remote per week). Most employees can work at Sound Transit’s headquarters in downtown Seattle on a schedule that suits them and their team.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Sound Transit is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all voices are heard. The agency believes that a diverse workforce leads to a stronger, more innovative, and more creative organization. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Sound Transit actively recruits and retains people of color, women, and other historically excluded groups, especially in underrepresented fields. The agency also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants who require additional assistance during the employee selection process.

Read also: Applying to Puget Sound

Opportunities in Construction Trades

For individuals interested in the construction trade, Sound Transit partners with community nonprofits to train local talent, including people of color, native tribal members, and women, through apprenticeship programs. These programs offer hands-on experience, competitive wages, and real-world skills without accumulating student debt.

Apprenticeship programs provide:

Hands-on learning from skilled tradespeople.
Connections to hiring contractors.
Job placement and financial support.
A pathway to a lifelong career in a high-demand field.

With Sound Transit’s expansion underway, there is a high demand for skilled tradespeople, including carpenters, heavy equipment operators, ironworkers, cement masons, pipe fitters, painters, electricians, and plumbers.

Sound Transit Art Program (STart)

The Sound Transit Art Program (STart) integrates art into the agency’s infrastructure. Utilizing 1% of construction budgets from voter-approved capital initiatives, STart brings a human scale and thoughtful detail to transportation facilities. The program enhances Link (light rail), Sounder (commuter rail), Stride (bus rapid transit), and Tacoma Link (city single-car) facilities throughout the Puget Sound region.

Example Internship: Events and Outreach

Sound Transit offers internships focused on events and outreach. An intern in this position may:

Read also: Educational services in Washington

Staff booths and engage with the public at festivals and employer transportation fairs.
Manage collateral and databases that support customer outreach and events.
Manage mascot appearances.
Maintain the team’s master event calendar.

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