The MTA is Going Your Way – greener
Student and College Aide Programs – Our History and Your Future
Goals and Benefits
Program Qualifications and Requirements
How to Apply
Additional Programs for Students
Current Projects and Positions
Photo Gallery of Students

The MTA is Going Your Way – greener

• Public transit keeps 700,000 cars out of New York Central Business District each day. 
• About 400 million fewer pounds of soot, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and other toxic substances get released each year into the city's air because of public transit use.
• NYC Transit diesel buses use ultra-low sulfur fuel and special filters to decrease pollutants.
• Our fleet of more than 1,000 hybrid-electric buses is the largest in the world.
• We also operate more than 450 CNG (compressed natural gas) buses.
• Nearly 1,800 retired subway cars serve as marine life habitats in five states as part of the National Artificial Reef Plan.
• More than 69,500 tons of metal, glass, plastic and paper from train yards, bus depots and other Transit facilities were recycled through Resource Recovery programs in 2008.
• Some of our bus and subway maintenance facilities have washing systems that capture and recycle rainwater to wash subway cars and buses.
• Photovoltaic panels in several buildings use solar energy for much of their heat and electricity.

Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island in Brooklyn is the first subway station   
to use solar energy for illumination and to conserve electricity.

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Student and College Aide Programs: Our History – Your Future

New York City Transit established its Internship program in 1981 and currently has a partnership with more than 100 colleges, universities and technical institutions throughout New York City and the Tri-State area, The East Coast and Puerto Rico.  Internships include paid (college aide) and unpaid (intern) positions.  The program has been a success for NYC Transit, colleges, universities and students.  We have hired a considerable number of participants after graduation.

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Goals and Benefits

Program Goals

• Provide a challenging and practical work experience, mentoring students with varied backgrounds, school disciplines and interests.
• Offer students opportunities to develop self-confidence while testing career options.
• Establish close relationships with the academic community, resulting in a “win-win” situation for everyone.
• Create a talent base of prospective employees for MTA New York City Transit.

Student Benefits

• Obtain valuable work experience desirable to the job market.
• Establish and reach goals for career development.
• Explore career options to increase number of potential employers.
• Acquire a mentor; establish a network of professionals in chosen career field.
• Get internship credit (contingent upon school program).
• Travel free on local buses and the subways throughout New York City at all times.

Choose from a Wide Range of Disciplines

• Architecture
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Communications: Broadcast Journalism; Television; Video; Film Production
• Computer Science: Information Technology, Telecommunications
• Criminal Justice
• Engineering: Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Civil/Structural, Chemical, Industrial
• Finance
• Graphics
• Human Resources
• Journalism
• Labor Relations
• Law
• Marketing
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Transportation Management
• Urban Transportation Planning

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Qualifications and Requirements

College Aide – Paid Positions

• You must be a full-time student (undergraduate, 12 credits; graduate, 6 credits), enrolled in a degree program in an accredited college or university as a junior, senior, or graduate student.
• College Aides work part time (20 hours a week) during the academic year; they may work full time (35 hours a week) during the January winter break and in summer.
• Undergraduate students must have 60 credits to qualify, and maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
• The final cumulative undergraduate GPA will be considered for  first-semester graduate students.
• First-semester Graduate students must have an overall 2.5 GPA as undergraduates.

Intern – Unpaid Positions

• You must be a junior, senior, or graduate student, enrolled either part-time or full-time in an accredited college or university.
• Interns work a minimum of 14 hours a week throughout the year.
• Undergraduate students must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Graduate students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• Students enrolled in a two-year college degree program must have 48 to 50 credits, and be registered in an internship class required for graduation.  
            

Although intern positions do not offer salaries, there are many benefits.

• Gain valuable training because you work with a mentor.
• Weigh your career options as you personally see what your position involves.
• Establish a network for future employment opportunities.
• Demonstrate your potential to any recruiter who sees your NYC Transit experience on a resume.

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How to Apply

The pre-qualification process requires students to submit the following original documents to their school advisors or coordinators prior to each semester (fall, spring, summer), for a duration provided to school educators.  Projects are open to students only during this specified time.

• Employment Eligibility Verification Documents required by Department of Homeland Security 
• Original Bursar’s receipt and class schedule for the current or following semester, as applicable. Students applying for the summer semester should submit bursar's receipt and class schedule for the fall semester.
• Unofficial transcript (for pre-qualification purposes only); an official transcript is required for acceptance and processing.
• Up-to-date resume

After completing the pre-qualification process, the school advisor or coordinator must send an e-mail to studentprograms@nyct.com and schedule an appointment for the student to complete the qualification process in the office of NYC Transit’s Educational Resources Unit before being eligible to apply online.  Online resumes received from anyone who applies without going through this process will not be considered.

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Additional Programs for Students

The Corps of Transit (CTE) Program is a paid, part-time training program during the school year, and a full-time program during the summer; the purpose of the CTE program is to create full-time employment opportunities for students who, upon graduation, have completed their assignment(s) successfully. Therefore, to be qualified to participate in the Corps of Transit Engineers Program, the applicant must be ready, willing and able to accept full-time employment upon graduation from college.

Please note: NYC Transit does not sponsor H1-B1 applications for employment or applications for permanent citizenship.

Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program is a paid training program intended to create full-time employment opportunities for students who have successfully completed their assignments. Therefore, to be qualified to participate in the Cooperative Education Program, the applicant must be ready, willing and able to accept full-time employment upon graduation from college.

Please note: NYC Transit does not sponsor H1-B1 applications for employment or applications for permanent citizenship.

We need students with these majors:

• Architecture
• Civil/Structural Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Journalism/English
• Mechanical Engineering

For more information about the Co-op Program, click here.

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Current Projects and Positions

Click here for a list and description of opportunities.

Photo Gallery of Students