CATS Looks To Generate Interest In STEM Careers Through Tours
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Β Β A group of 25 middle school aged students from the Elizabeth City area of North Carolina visited the Charlotte Area Transit SystemΒ to tour the facilities, talk to transit professionals and learn more about careers in STEM through transportation.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation partially funded the visit through a summer program hosted by Elizabeth City State University.
The students were able to ride the LYNX Blue Line light rail and tour the Vehicle Maintenance Facility and Bus Operation and Maintenance Facility.
Director of Rail Operations, Allen Smith III, and Assistant General Manager of Bus Operations, Reggie Arrington, spoke to the students about engineering career paths and apprenticeship opportunities available through CATS.
Some students expressed appreciation for the exposure to the CATS operation and for the opportunity to see the largest city in the state.
CATS CEO John Lewis shared his experience and path the the transportation industry saying,Β βGrowing up, I always thought I was going to be a lawyer, then one day while working on Capitol Hill, I fell in love with infrastructure and transit and began pursuing those dreams,β Lewis shared with the group.
