U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the expansion of an internship program designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in transportation. LaHood made the announcement at a Women's Small Business Day hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The internship program will expand from one to 10 regions of the country, enabling young women from colleges and universities across the country to participate. It will be administered through the Department's 11 Small Business Transportation Resource Centers. 

These Centers, spread throughout the nation, provide resources, technical assistance and outreach to all 50 states and U.S. territories. Each Center will be responsible for placing qualified female college students in transportation related internships in their regions. 

The expanded program, based on a successful pilot with Spelman College that Secretary LaHood announced in 2009, is part of a broader effort by the Department of Transportation to create a pipeline of younger women coming into the transportation workforce.  

In May 2010, Secretary LaHood also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Women's Transportation Seminar International to engage women at the juncture when they're beginning to think seriously about their futures and inspire them to pursue careers in transportation by completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. 

The aim is to attract and retain a new generation of women in transportation professions.

The Women's Small Business Day at the Department of Transportation enabled small business specialists from all of the department's operating administrations to meet with the small business owners in attendance.