Internship Competitive Programming Jobs in East Lansing, MI

Salary: $19.49 - $23.55 Hourly
Location : Various, MI
Job Type: Non Career
Job Number: 5901-27-Internship-AP
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 12/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: TECHNICAL (SEIU)
Job Description
Are you an independent, energetic, self-sufficient, and highly motivated undergraduate/graduate student? Do you have a passion for public service? Are you excited to gain government experience in areas such as design, construction, project management, surveying, and planning (just to name a few!)? This opportunity is a great way for you to bridge the gap between going to school and landing a great job.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is a diverse, innovative agency serving your family, friends, Michigan citizens, and visitors. Undergraduate/graduate students will have the opportunity to gain work experience, develop professional competence and long-range career goals, integrate work experiences with academic knowledge, and establish a professional network. Begin your MDOT journey today!
Typical Work Assignments
This opportunity provides valuable work experience in civil engineering and/or transportation planning by learning the ropes from more experienced professionals. In an on-the-job training capacity, work assignments could include performing entry and intermediate level work, including but not limited to inspection, testing, surveying, design plans, community and local partner engagement, forecasting, geospatial mapping technology, data analysis, asset management and project administration for the department road, bridge, and facilities programs.
Work locations are located throughout the State of Michigan. Assignments will be taken into consideration based on the work area that you choose in the supplemental questions section on the job application, but based on operational need you may be considered for a different work area. Please refer to the for more information about the different work areas and work assignments.
Housing
MDOT offers a temporary structured housing option for candidates who meet one of the following criteria:

• Can provide documentation of Pell Grant eligibility
• Have a commute of more than 90 minutes one-way to the assigned work area

This is a taxable benefit that may be available based on operational need and the allocated budget.
Pay Rates
First Participation Year: $19.49/hour
Second Participation Year: $21.18/hour
Third Participation Year: $21.79/hour
Fourth Participation Year: $22.42/hour
Fifth Participation Year: $22.86/hour
Sixth Participation Year: $23.55/hour
This is a seasonal program that runs from approximately April 25 to October 31, 2027 and includes the following benefits:

• Overtime compensation (per SEIU bargaining agreement)
• Competitive pay rates
• Flexible work schedules (contingent upon operational need)
• Holiday pay
• 16 hours of initial annual (vacation) leave
• Accrue annual and sick leave every pay period (per SEIU bargaining agreement)
• 401K benefits
• Housing

Questions or comments?
Contact: Internship Coordinator, e-mail address
Required Education and Experience
To be considered for the Internship Program you must:

• Be a currently enrolled undergraduate/graduate student, with priority to Civil Engineering, Civil Technology, Construction Management, Land Surveying, Planning, and Geographic Information Systems.
• Possess a cumulative GPA with a 2.0 or higher.
• Attach current unofficial college transcripts or if you are a first semester/term student attach a current course schedule. The transcript/course schedule must include the student's name, college/university information, credits earned (if applicable), and grades received to date (if applicable). First semester/term college students must provide a transcript reflecting earning a minimum of 24 semester credits or 36 term credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher prior to entry into the program.

Failure to meet the above requirements for new and returning students may result in forfeiting any rights of consideration for employment or, if hired, may lead to dismissal.
Additional Requirements and Information

• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
• Possess a valid driver's license by April 23rd, 2027.
• Candidates are required to demonstrate progression in the program by enrolling and successfully completing classes and courses that are consistent with their area of study.
• The program may require a Certification in Federal Material Testing and Sampling Methods (involves passing a written and proficiency exam to be completed after hire).
• Internship participants are encouraged to apply for available permanent MDOT positions after finishing their degree. Some positions may accept applicants who expect to complete their degree in the following semester.
• This program may have the ability to work a hybrid (office/home) schedule. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.

The department reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process including, but not limited to, responses to application questions and responses to interview questions or exercises.
Click here for more information on the
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
Upon appointment to the position the following benefits options are available:
1. Elect the Civil Service Benefits Agreement Option. This option entitles the appointee to accrue annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, banked leave time, deferred hours and longevity credits; receive annual longevity payments; and receive terminal payments for unused annual leave, sick leave (for appointees hired before October 1, 1980) personal leave, banked leave time, deferred hours, and longevity benefits accrued during this appointment. Credits and payments will be made on the basis used for classified employees. Payments to appointees are limited to available appropriations. Appointees electing this option must use leave credits if they work less than their standard hours.
2. Waive the Civil Service Benefits Agreement Option. This option entitles the appointee to reach a separate agreement with the appointing authority regarding leave accrual and usage. Appointees electing this option are not eligible for annual longevity payments and cannot receive payments for any unused leave balances at the termination of this appointment.
3. Waive the Civil Service Benefits Agreement Option - With Sick Leave Accrual for Long Term Disability (LTD). This option is identical to the option "Waives the Civil Service Benefit Agreement Option", except the appointee requests that the Civil Service sick leave accrual be maintained for the purpose of enrolling in the State's LTD Plan. Appointees electing this option are not eligible for annual longevity payments and cannot receive payments for any unused leave balances at the termination of this appointment.
01
Your eligibility for this position is based solely upon the information provided in your application, resume, transcripts, cover letter, and other attachments. Provide accurate dates of employment and extensive detail of your job duties in your application.Responses to the questions below must match what is on your application and are used for screening purposes.Have you read and understand the process for submission and use of your application materials?

• Yes
• No

02
What is your current major?

• Civil Engineering
• Civil Technology
• Construction Management
• Environmental Engineering
• Geographic Information Systems
• Land Surveying
• Mechanical Engineering
• Planning
• Other

03
If you selected "other" on the previous question, please enter your current major. Otherwise, enter N/A.
04
Is your current cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher?

• Yes
• No
• I am a first semester/term student

05
What college or university are you currently attending? (Please spell out the full name)
06
MDOT - Have you participated in any of the following MDOT Workforce Programs?

• MDOT Youth Development and Mentoring Program
• MDOT TRAC Program
• MDOT Internship (Co-Op) Program
• Transportation Diversity Recruitment Program (TDRP) Internship
• MI Construction Career Days
• National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI)
• Other
• N/A

07
Will you possess a valid driver's license by April 23rd, 2027?

• Yes
• No

08
How many seasons have you previously participated in the MDOT Internship Program?

• 5 Seasons
• 4 Seasons
• 3 Seasons
• 2 Seasons
• 1 Season
• None

09
How many credits have you completed? Please note you must attach transcripts/course schedule to verify your response. Failure to attach required documentation may result in your application being screened out of this hiring process.

• First year semester/term student with no transcript yet (Must attach current course schedule that reflects the student's name, college/university name, course enrollment, and credits)
• 24 semester credits or 36 term credits
• 36 semester credits or 51 term credits
• 48 semester credits or 66 term credits
• 60 semester credits or 81 term credits

10
If you are a first-year semester/term student and do not have a transcript yet, you must complete a minimum of 24 semester credits or 36 term credits before starting with the MDOT Internship Program. Are you able to meet this requirement? Failure to attach required documentation may result in your application being screened out of this hiring process.

• Yes
• No
• I am not a first-year semester/term student

11
This program operates throughout the State of Michigan. Please select your preferred work area (refer to hyperlink in the job posting for specific work areas and work assignments):

• Bay Region: Bay City, Davison, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw, Thumb Area (Bad Axe, Port Huron, Sandusky)
• Grand Region: Cadillac, Grand Rapids, Muskegon
• Metro Region: Chesterfield Township, Detroit, Pontiac, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor
• North Region: Alpena, Gaylord, Traverse City
• Southwest Region: Coloma, Kalamazoo, Marshall
• Superior Region: Crystal Falls, Escanaba, Gladstone, Houghton, Ishpeming, L'Anse, Marquette, Newberry
• University Region: Brighton, Lansing (Transportation Service Center), Jackson
• Bureau of Bridges and Structures: Lansing, Port Huron (Blue Water Bridge)
• Bureau of Development: Lansing
• Bureau of Field Services: Lansing
• Bureau of Transportation Planning: Lansing

12
Which specific city and work assignment (if applicable) are you interested in? Please refer to the hyperlink in the job posting for specific work areas and work assignments.
13
If you are not selected for an internship in your preferred work area, would you be open to being considered for other MDOT work areas located throughout the state?

• Yes
• No

14
Are you a current or former State of Michigan employee? State employees work for one of the departments that make up the government of the State of Michigan (e.g., Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), etc.).

• Yes
• No

15
Are you a current or former Michigan Department of Transportation employee?

• Yes
• No

16
Did you attach a copy of your transcript and/or course schedule? Failure to attach the required documentation may result in you being screened out of the process. Transcripts/course schedule must contain your name, the college name/address, the degree conferred/date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree was granted) reflecting the credits earned and grades received. A scanned or electronic copy is accepted, if it contains the elements listed above.

• Yes
• No

17
In accordance with federal law, all new employees must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States within three business days of beginning employment.Can you, after employment, submit proof of your legal right to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

18
MDOT - Where did you hear about this job? (Check all that apply)

• State of Michigan Website/NEOGOV or Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• College/University Career Services Office or website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Indeed
• Career Search Engine (i.e. Monster, Careerbuilder)
• Michigan Works! Agency
• Career Fair
• GovDelivery
• Billboard
• Employee Referral
• Veterans Organization
• Government Jobs
• Diversity Jobs
• recruitics
• ZipRecruiter
• Other

19
If you selected Career Fair or Other, please list the specific fair or source you heard about the MDOT Internship Program.
Required Question