(April 3, 2014) – Today, the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI), in conjunction with the State Highway Administration (SHA), hosted its Annual Career Day event for hundreds of Baltimore County high school students. The event was held at the 4-H Building at Timonium Fairgrounds with students participating in a full-day of learning activities.
Focusing on skills development and education, SHA and its partners provided a unique opportunity for students who are considering careers in construction, engineering and transportation. Career Day speakers highlighted the different fields of civil engineering including roadway design, structures, materials testing, surveying, geotechnical and soil testing, hydraulics and drainage systems, environmental analysis, transportation planning, landscape architecture and traffic management.
“The design and creativity of engineers continues to shape the world, particularly in the transportation field,” stated Gregory Welker, SHA Deputy Administrator/Chief Engineer of Operations and MdQI Steering Committee Co-Chair. “Introducing students to this challenging yet rewarding field will develop their interests to explore potential career paths. We hope that each student learned something that sparks the conversation about their long-term goals.”
Career Day also supports the Baltimore County Public Schools’ initiatives that are designed to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for secondary students. Participating high schools include: Carver Center for Art and Technology, Perry Hall High School, Milford Mill Academy, Randallstown High School, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science, Lansdowne High School Academy for Advanced Professional Studies, Sollers Point Technical High School and New Town, Owings Mills, Woodlawn, Parkville, and Dulaney high schools.
“The Maryland State Highway Administration Career Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about an important and growing segment not just of our state and national economies, but of the global economy as well,” stated Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools. “Many Baltimore County students already are engaged in learning activities that call upon the STEM skills necessary for transportation-related careers, so the chance to see how those skills will translate and talk with experts in the field is an invaluable experience and service for our students.”
Construction engineers demonstrated equipment operations, and provided students with first-hand experience in testing materials and using equipment simulators. Students also interacted with engineers and learned how they began and manage their careers.
Maryland area technical schools and colleges and universities were also available to speak with students and provide information. Participants included: Operating Engineers Local 37; Morgan State University; Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation; Maryland Motor Truck Association; Community College of Baltimore County; Associated Builders and Contractors – Baltimore; Lincoln Technical Institute; Building Congress and Exchange-Baltimore; and the Associated General Contractors of America-Maryland.
This event was supported by SHA and MdQI in partnership with the Baltimore County Office of Workforce Development; Baltimore County Public Schools; RJM Engineering; Phoenix Engineering; Stantec; Whitman Requardt & Associates; Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT); Whitney Bailey, Cox & Magnani; EA Engineering, Rummel Klepper & Kahl Engineers (RK&K) and Maryland Transportation & Builders Association (MTBMA), Century Engineering; A. Morton Thomas; KCI; URS; and Gray & Sons.
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