PA Turnpike Opens Applications for Competitive Summer Internship Program
PA Turnpike Opens Applications for Competitive Summer Internship Program
Middletown, Pa. — Last summer, Priyadharshini Rajmohan took her first ride on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, one of many behind-the-scenes looks into the transportation industry she gained as part of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Internship Program.
“Before joining, I didn’t have any idea what the Turnpike was,” said Rajmohan. “But this experience opened my eyes to what the PA Turnpike is and gave me perspective to choose my job right now.”
CEO Internship Program applications are being accepted now through March 1, 2025. This paid opportunity for rising college juniors, seniors and recent graduates offers hands-on experience, career development, professional connections and valuable insight into how the PA Turnpike is transforming the transportation industry.
Leah Vene and Emmanuel Owusu shared Rajmohan’s enthusiasm.
“As an environmental science major, I was not expecting to be placed in the Engineering Department during my internship. But it opened a whole new world of job opportunities I didn’t even know I had before,” said Vene, who interned during the summer of 2023.
Today, all three are PA Turnpike employees and credit the CEO Internship program with providing transportation industry exposure and mentoring. Rajmohan works in Geo Analytics, Owusu in Cybersecurity and Vene in Engineering.
Through the summer experience, interns work with the PA Turnpike’s collaborative teams across the Commonwealth, including Engineering, Sustainability, Finance and Accounting, Information Technology, Maintenance, Operations, Strategy and Communications and Human Resources. Additionally, they participate in professional development such as workshops, seminars and one-on-one mentoring.
“For more than 10 years, I’ve been proud to support this program, as we work to address future workforce needs, specifically in the transportation and STEAM fields,” said Catherine Clements-Jenkins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the PA Turnpike. “Each year, we’re impressed by our interns’ fresh perspectives and dedication. It’s my pleasure to once again extend this opportunity to students across the Commonwealth.”
Interns also participate in an executive leadership-designed group project, intended to familiarize students with all aspects of the organization. Previous interns investigated sustainability, highway safety, a human trafficking awareness campaign, a customer rewards program and mobile payment options.
“The project was one of the major reasons why I’m here now,” said Owusu, adding that he gained greater appreciation for the PA Turnpike’s efforts to combat Human Trafficking and other transportation industry initiatives. Owusu interned during the summer of 2021.
Beyond equipping students with knowledge, the CEO Internship Program enhances key business skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, collaboration and teamwork.
“You are basically getting two internships within one by being placed in a department, while also working collaboratively with a team to complete a group project. This helped sharpen my leadership capabilities," Vene said. "Public speaking, for example, previously intimidated me. But after this, I feel better prepared. I foresee having to give presentations in my future career; and, thanks to my internship experience, I get excited instead of nervous."
This hybrid (in-person/virtual) program runs May 19 through Aug. 8, 2025, with options to work at either the PA Turnpike’s Central Administration Building in Middletown, the Eastern Regional Office in King of Prussia or the Western Regional Office in New Stanton. Interns earn $18/hour for a 40-hour week.
“I absolutely would recommend this experience,” Owusu said. “The people are great; everybody really wants to help you get to that next level. The people are always available and there’s a lot of resources that you can learn from. I would highly encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity.”
For more information about the requirements or to apply, please visit careers.paturnpike.com.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com