The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida held its spring mock interview event for transportation engineering and planning students on April 6. This event, co-sponsored by the Greater Tampa Section of ITE, is designed to prepare students for real-life job interviews by providing them with an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills in a less stressful environment with local professionals.
Over 25 professionals and 15 students from a variety of disciplines participated in the event. Students were able to receive feedback on their interviewing skills from experienced professionals in the transportation industry. The professionals, who volunteered their time, included academic professionals, government employees, seasoned consultants, and many others.
The event was organized by Jodi Godfrey, senior research associate at CUTR. “We are thrilled with the turnout and the feedback we received from both the students and the professionals who volunteered their time,” said Godfrey.
One of the students who participated in the event said that the experience was invaluable. “I was really nervous about interviewing after graduation,” he said. “I feel much better now and know that I’ll be better prepared for real job interviews.”
The success of this event highlights the importance of career development programs in preparing students for the workforce. CUTR’s mock interviews provide students with a safe and supportive environment to practice their interviewing skills, which can be a daunting task for many students, and assists students by connecting them with local professionals.
“We are proud to offer events like this that help our students succeed in their careers, and we hope to host more in the future,” said Godfrey. “However, this would not be possible without the dedicated professionals who generously gave their time and expertise. Your insights and guidance have helped prepare the next generation of leaders!”
