Embarking on a career in engineering can be an exciting yet pivotal moment for recent graduates. The Arizona Department Of Transportation (ADOT) understands this journey and offers a robust Engineers in Training (EIT) program designed to provide practical training and hands-on experience. This program serves as a launchpad for aspiring engineers, preparing them for successful professional careers within transportation and beyond. Just ask Jennifer Toth, the Director of ADOT, who herself began her distinguished career as an EIT at ADOT.
Jimmy Naujokaitis, P.E., a Senior Resident Engineer in ADOT’s Central District in Phoenix, is a testament to the EIT program’s effectiveness. Joining the program in 2013, Jimmy highlights the invaluable opportunity it provided to witness the collaborative spirit across various ADOT departments. “Being in the EIT program meant working in groups ranging from traffic and roadway design to maintenance and materials testing,” Jimmy explained. He emphasizes the lasting benefits of this rotational experience, noting, “One of the biggest benefits from rotating among specialties was making business contacts that have continued to pay dividends during my career.” His journey underscores how the Arizona Department of Transportation’s EIT program fosters a comprehensive understanding of transportation engineering and builds crucial professional networks.
For Erica Eggen, engineering was a family legacy, but the specific path within the field remained unclear until she joined the EIT program. With 17 years at ADOT, Erica credits the program with helping her discover her passion for roadway design engineering. “With the EIT program, I learned about the different jobs that people have at ADOT,” Erica shares. She further emphasizes the program’s unique ability to guide young engineers, stating, “I feel like the EIT program does a really good job seeing what people do and where people fit in. As college students, that’s a really big question: Where do I fit in?” Erica’s experience exemplifies how the Arizona Department of Transportation’s EIT program provides clarity and direction for burgeoning engineers.
Matt Steiner, who joined the EIT program more recently in 2023, echoes the positive sentiments of his predecessors, calling it “the best professional decision” he has made. He praises the supportive and nurturing environment at ADOT, remarking, “I think the people here at ADOT are really helpful and caring and they genuinely want you to learn.” Matt also values the dynamic nature of the program, adding, “I actually really enjoyed the way that you would change jobs every few months. It was very dynamic,” and concluding, “It gives you this opportunity to find out what you actually like.” Matt’s perspective reinforces the Arizona Department of Transportation’s commitment to creating a valuable and adaptable learning experience within its EIT program.
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Engineers in Training program stands out as an exceptional opportunity for aspiring engineers to gain practical experience, explore different facets of transportation engineering, and build a solid foundation for a fulfilling career. By offering a dynamic and supportive environment, ADOT not only invests in the future of transportation infrastructure but also in the professional growth of the next generation of engineers.
