Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Careers

Phoenix Student Worker Program

STEM Icons

Gain hands-on work experience in STEM-related career fields through the Phoenix Student Worker Program at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Phoenix students work with MnDOT professionals to gain professional skills and a greater understanding of how MnDOT serves our communities.

Program highlights:

  • Learn from industry professionals while working on current MnDOT projects
  • Work up to 40 hours/week during the summer
  • Work 2-15 hours/week during the school year
  • Visit other MnDOT offices to see STEM careers in action
  • Mid-point performance evaluation
  • Student may be eligible for another student worker position after high school graduation

More than just your average internship, the Phoenix Student Worker Program helps students build a professional network and discover a career path that meets their future aspirations.

Download the Phoenix Student Worker Program flyer

To be eligible for the Phoenix Student Worker Program, students must:

  • Complete their junior year of high school by June, and will start their senior year the following autumn
  • Have taken Project Lead the Way or advanced STEM classes, or are participating in a youth employment program through Achieve Twin Cities: Step Up or Right Track
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Many positions offered through the Phoenix program are paired with a MnDOT engineer. A strong STEM background is recommended for all Phoenix students. Project Lead the Way schools offer the type of curriculum we look for in the Phoenix program. Find out if your high school uses Project Lead the Way.

Students taking advanced STEM courses may also qualify for the Phoenix program if there are no Project Lead the Way schools near their MnDOT district office.

Students applying through a youth employment program are not required to be taking advanced STEM courses, but preference is given to those with a STEM background.

Phoenix students are hired as a Student Worker Clerical with a pay rate of $19.00 - $22.23 per hour as of July 1, 2025.

Phoenix students are hired as a cohort that starts in June between their junior and senior year of high school. Students work up to full-time (32 to 40 hours per week) during the summer, then 2 - 15 hours per week during the school year. The program ends the following June.

The Phoenix program hires students across the state of Minnesota every year. See what Phoenix Student Worker positions are currently available.

Students who demonstrate an aptitude for the work and a desire to continue their MnDOT experience may be eligible for other student worker, temporary, or full-time MnDOT positions upon completion of the Phoenix Student Worker Program.

 

How to Apply

The Phoenix Student Worker Program accepts applications from February to May each year before the program’s June start date. All interested students must apply through the State of Minnesota Careers website and complete the Phoenix Program Supplemental Application Form to be considered for the Phoenix program.
Students are encouraged to apply early as the program fills positions on a first come first serve basis.

How to apply @ mn.gov/careers

  • Select search open positions
  • Enter the keyword 91406 in the search box
  • Select the job title
  • Select apply button
  • Sign in or select "Register Now" to create an account

The system will guide you through the rest of the application process.