The I Will Ride Mission & Vision
I Will Ride is a student outreach program at the California High-Speed Rail Authority dedicated to connecting students to information and career opportunities on the nation’s first high-speed rail system currently under construction.
As passenger rail expands in the United States to meet mobility needs and improve air quality, the vision of the I Will Ride program is to educate, engage and inspire the next generation of professionals that will design, build and operate California’s high-speed rail system and other high-speed rail projects.
Why is High-Speed Rail
Important to You?
Student Outreach Matters
An Equitable Investment in Young People and Future Transportation Leaders
We utilize strategic collaboration with colleges and universities to engage a diverse student demographic historically underrepresented in the transportation field. We utilize a diverse staff to demonstrate to students the dynamic job opportunities on a mega project like High-Speed Rail.
We have proudly collaborated with programs such as LA Metro’s Transportation Career and Program, Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure+, Society of Women Engineers, Women in Transportation Seminar, Society of Hispanic and Professional Engineers and many more.
I Will Ride at a Glance
Student Leadership In Transportation
Start developing your skills and gain knowledge about high-speed rail and the transportation industry.
Networking
Network with a wide range of professionals working on the California high-speed rail program.
Education
Participate in once-in-a-lifetime high-speed rail presentations statewide and learn from leading high-speed rail industry experts
Webinars
Given the swift transition to virtual platforms – now you can connect with high-speed rail professionals all throughout California by joining a webinar.
Get Involved
Our team of high-speed rail professionals are ready to connect and network with students and provide dynamic presentations on a wide range of topics including ongoing construction, regional updates to specific topics of interest for all areas of study including public policy, engineering, communications and public relations and environmental sustainability.
In this I Will Ride monthly update, you will find all the latest news on the California high-speed rail and helpful resources for students. Each month will provide the most up-to-date list of scholarship, internships, fellowships and entry level job opportunities on everything high-speed rail and transportation related.
There are many job and internship opportunities available for students eager to be part of history statewide not only at the Authority, but with various companies working on the California High-Speed Rail project. Click below to see where you can get started on finding a student position working on high-speed rail.
There are many opportunities to discuss and learn about high-speed rail in a classroom. Take a look at some of our student resources and download them for your classroom. We are in the early stages of developing student resources and would love to hear from teachers and educators about what they’d like to see.
How to Join
Being a member of I Will Ride will give you access to regular project updates. This is an educational initiative and requires no cost to participate. To sign up for I Will Ride, please email iwillride@hsr.ca.gov with the following information:
- Name
- What group best describes you
- Student
- Student and Minor
- Teacher
- Faculty
- Work with students in another capacity
- State, “I want to receive notifications for the I Will Ride program at the High-Speed Rail Authority.”
Please note, if you are a minor, please complete a signed consent form to be part of the program. Parents/guardians can provide their name and email to receive all notifications and emails that their child receives. The Authority respects your privacy and will not share the registration list with others except as required by law. Any information you provide is voluntary. This form is subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act. You have the ability to opt-out upon request by emailing iwillride@hsr.ca.gov. We will delete all information gathered on a member upon request.
Founders & History of I Will Ride
Born in the heart of California’s Central Valley, I Will Ride was founded by college students who support options in mobility and transportation, and the development of California’s high-speed rail system. The founders believed that this significant investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure, mass transit and transit-oriented development would offer regional connectivity, economic opportunity and an environmentally friendly alternative for transportation in the 21st Century.
Since the inception of I Will Ride, the Authority has welcomed hundreds of college and university students on construction tours in the Central Valley as part of the initiative’s I Will Ride Day, and has engaged in numerous outreach events, classroom presentations and networking opportunities connecting students to high-speed rail professionals.
Student Outreach in the Community – We’re Just Getting Started
Kids Discovery Station – Merced, CA
The Authority is a proud partner of Merced’s first-of-its-kind children’s museum, Kids Discovery Station in Merced, California. The museum will feature an outdoor high-speed rail exhibit opening to the public in 2022. Kids Discovery Station is a nonprofit organization creating opportunities for children of Merced to learn through the power of play. Generous support of private donors and volunteers allows them to enrich the lives of children and families in the Central Valley.
High-Speed Rail Networking Session – Fresno, CA
The Authority was proud to partner with Fresno City College to host a lunch and learn networking session with first- and second-year engineering students. The students received a project overview followed by a panel discussion with three engineers working on the high-speed rail program. Following the sessions, students networked with engineering professionals one-on-one and had the opportunity to ask them questions about their pathways from college to career.
MESA LA Metro Regional STEM Competition – Los Angeles, CA
The Authority was proud to sponsor MESA’s regional STEM design competition, which provided students, faculty, and parents an opportunity to learn about the California high-speed rail project. Over 200 in-person and 150 virtual students attended the event hosted by MESA, a federal college prep program that gives low-income and minority students pathways and support for going into STEM fields.
Society of Women Engineers Conference – Merced, CA
For a second year in a row, the Authority proudly sponsored the Society of Women Engineers Expanding Your Horizons annual conference at UC Merced. The conference, which welcomed 150 high school girls from throughout the Central Valley with no cost of attendance, inspires young women to pursue majors and careers in STEM. In addition to a panel discussion, students engaged in various workshops and a networking lunch with group leaders.
Contact
Do you have any more questions? You can contact our team directly at the following email.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority makes every effort to ensure the website and its contents meet mandated ADA requirements as per the California State mandated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA standard. If you are looking for a particular document not located on the California High-Speed Rail Authority website, you may make a request for the document under the Public Records Act through the Public Records Act page. If you have any questions about the website or its contents, please contact the Authority at info@hsr.ca.gov.
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