Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. spoke to more than 60 college students at an event hosted by the Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter at the downtown public library on April 14.
The students from Edward Waters College, Florida State College of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, and the University of North Florida had an opportunity to network with representatives from JAXPORT and JTA.
The highlight of the night was the Q&A session following a COMTO Studio 71 video featuring Mr. Ford. Students asked questions regarding Uber and its potential impact on mass transportation, innovative mobile payment options, and the long range plans for the Skyway. Mr. Ford was impressed with the students’ detailed questions and “innovative thoughts on the future of Jacksonville’s transportation.”
All students are encouraged to apply for a COMTO National Careers In Transportation for Youth (CITY) Internship. The national organization is seeking the best and brightest young talent for internships in the public transportation industry. The program is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) initiative to promote public transportation career opportunities among college students. The 10-week internship is designed to orient juniors and seniors to the public transportation industry by providing internships and mentoring at transit agencies, private transit-related consulting firms, transportation service providers, manufacturers and suppliers in local COMTO Chapters across the country.
COMTO, along with its local partners, is recruiting students from area colleges and universities to participate in its nationwide competitive CITY Internship Program. Students must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning at the undergraduate level.
COMTO Jacksonville will host the Seventh Annual Bowl-a-Thon on April 25 to raise money for its scholarship and general fund.
