2023 WTS Capital Summit Attendance
Thank you to Gina Venuto-Gabriella, WTS Philadelphia Transportation YOU Co-Chair, for authoring this article.
WTS International hosted the 2023 Transportation YOU Summit at the University of Maryland during the last week of June. My mentee, Mia Karl, and I were honored to attend as representatives of the WTS Philadelphia chapter. We were fortunate enough to meet other mentors and mentees from across the country, representing an array of WTS chapters and careers in transportation with whom we were able to form meaningful relationships.
Our days were packed with panels, presentations, and tours. Visits were made to the US Capitol, the USDOT, BWI Airport, the Port of Baltimore, Amtrak, and the FHWA - we even got a chance to ride the famed DC Metro! During these tours, the mentees were able to learn about Hydrologic engineering, Artificial Intelligence in vehicles, how Amtrak trains are operated, how concrete is made, and how shipping ports impact our country, to name just a few topics!
Mentees were also able to converse with current college students and counselors during a Q&A panel and throughout the Summit to discuss any concerns about college applications and life in general, and how to build their resume and apply for scholarships.
During the summit, mentors and mentees were also invited to participate in a ropes course to showcase their teambuilding skills!
To commemorate the ending of the Capital Summit, a celebratory dinner was held at Busboys & Poets, where mentees were provided with certificates, and everyone was able to learn more about each other and encourage the mentees to expand their professional network.