Transportation You
Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers. Through the program, WTS chapters work to make a difference in the lives of young girls by offering programs and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation and encourage them to take courses in math, science, and technology, which are the stepping stones to exciting careers that can change the face of the transportation industry.
Are you interested in getting involved with Transportation YOU?
Contact our Transportation YOU Chairs Anna Johnson or Jameela Flordeliz.
WTS CAPITAL SUMMIT 2025
From June 21–27, four members of WTS Sacramento (mentors Anna Johnson and Jameela Flordeliz, and mentees Katherine Hickey and Bailey McLaughlin) attended the WTS Capital Summit. This signature Transportation YOU program takes place in the Washington, DC area and offers high school students hands-on experience with engineering challenges, professional and leadership development, networking events, local tours, and insight into the world of transportation planning and infrastructure. The mentees stayed in the dorms at the University of Maryland, giving them a taste of college life.
Each day was packed with activities. Sunday was focused on getting to know the other attendees through team-building exercises, including a ropes course and a boat ride on the Potomac River. On Monday, the group visited the Maryland State Highway Administration, where we learned about emergency response, fleet management, and traffic control systems. Later that day, we headed to the Virginia Air and Space Museum.
Tuesday we visited the U.S. Capitol, where we toured the House chambers and learned how transportation policy and government intersect. We got lunch at Union Station and explored this historic transit hub before heading to the National Portrait Gallery. That evening we had fun at a bowling and pizza party.
On Wednesday, we visited the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) headquarters and toured their video and command centers. In the afternoon, we went to Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport for a behind-the-scenes tour that included Southwest Airlines’ new hangar.
Thursday was our final full day and featured hands-on time with WMATA’s metro simulators. We all got to try driving the metro trains. The afternoon included two career panels where students learned about transportation careers and college opportunities. That evening, we celebrated with a graduation ceremony and spent one last night bonding and celebrating the mentees’ accomplishments.
Before heading to the airport on Friday, we joined the San Diego chapter and visited the National Mall to see the monuments.
We all had an amazing time and learned so much about the transportation industry. It was inspiring to connect with professionals from around the country and see the impact of mentorship in action. A huge thank you to the WTS Foundation and the WTS Sacramento Chapter for sponsoring our trip and supporting the next generation of transportation leaders!
Event recaps
