Friday, September 26th, Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Rebecca Bian, hosted Transportation+, an event for University of Maine System (UMS) students exploring Maine’s transportation systems and career opportunities.

The morning session included a field trip to the Maine Department of Transportation headquarters in Augusta, where students met with staff from multiple departments, including Research & Innovation, Regional Programs, Environmental, Highway, Bridge, Traffic, Multimodal, and Mobility Engineering and Analysis. Students also visited the MaineDOT Transportation Management Center for a brief overview of operations. The tour offered insight into the day-to-day work of engineers and planners, as well as career paths, internships, and co-op opportunities.

The lunch session included networking opportunities with MCEC Dean Giovanna Guidoboni in attendance, followed by 10-minute presentations from transportation professionals about their roles in the industry. Topics included applying new techniques for using weather data in engineering projects, Maine’s signal and roadway systems, and advances in resilient and sustainable design. The majority of presenters were UMaine alumni, and the session gave students practical insights into careers in transportation and infrastructure from both regional and national perspectives.

“This event connects students with transportation professionals in Maine to learn more about their company, institution or agency, ongoing projects, their work and emerging technologies,” Bian said. “I am hoping the deep-dive learning experience can help students meaningfully link what they are learning in a classroom setting with future career opportunities, which motivates them to achieve academic excellence for their own career goals. It is also exciting to find out that student attendees are sharing the same feeling and want to see more events like this in the future.”

MCEC students and faculty gather outside for a group photo at Maine DOT Headquarters

Students engage in a workshop session with working professionals, learning about career opportunities in engineering and computing.

MCEC faculty Rebecca Bian greets members of the MCEC community.

Dean Guidoboni talks with students, offering guidance and advice.

Students meet with industry representatives at the Transportation+ event.

Students explore opportunities with local firms at MCEC.

Dean Guidoboni addresses attendees, highlighting MCEC’s student programs and resources.

MCEC faculty, Rebecca Bian looks on at a successful event.

Students engage in a presentation, learning about career opportunities in engineering and computing

Signage highlights the MCEC event, welcoming students and faculty to the session.

Dean Guidoboni talks with students, offering guidance and advice.

Students converse with peers and faculty.

The trip was funded by UMS TRANSFORMS, including seed grants aimed at exposing students to career and research opportunities in Maine’s transportation sector. Bian acknowledged support from her new colleague, Hao Liu, Assistant Professor of Transportation Engineering, who helped lead the morning portion of the event, and thanked MaineDOT for hosting and sharing their expertise.

UMaine also thanks its partners — Acorn Engineering, Inc. ; ASCE NOAA Task Force ; GoMaine ; HNTB Corporation ; Kleinfelder ; Sargent ; Sebago Technics, Inc. ; Thornton Tomasetti ; and VHB — for sharing their expertise, and to Dr. Bian and UMS TRANSFORMS for supporting the experience.