Local students learn the ins and outs of transit through Metro’s Youth Transit Summer Internship

Interns with program staff and bus operators from Atlantic and Central bases

For three weeks this summer, 14 teenagers from around King County participated in Metro’s fourth annual Youth Transit Summer Internship.

The program provided an opportunity for the young people to learn about transit, engage with our frontline staff and local community, paint a bus shelter mural, explore careers, and develop social media content. They also provided great input to Metro about how to improve our transit messaging for young people.

This year’s cohort had strong connections to south King County and came from a wide range of backgrounds, including immigrant, multilingual, and multigenerational households, with varying levels of experience riding transit in their communities. Interns had a diverse set of interests including robotics, business, engineering, graphic design, environmental science, urban planning, textile arts, and more.

As someone who lives in a low-income area, Metro has been a major resource in my community. In this internship, I’ve learned about … different career paths, modes of transportation and above all, the community involved with Metro. I’ve been able to meet so many great people … that will continue to stick with me and help me grow.”
-Lily, 11th grader at Rainier Beach HS

This internship has taught me a lot about the different careers Metro has to offer … I aim to really acknowledge operators and Metro staff for what they do. For people who are afraid or don’t ride Metro often, know that the staff are there to help you.
-Eldana, 10th grader at Mount Rainier HS

A key piece of the internship was building understanding and relationships between teenagers and bus drivers. Interns had one-on-one conversations with drivers at Atlantic, Central and South Bases, where they learned firsthand what it’s like to drive a bus every day – and operators learned about the life of a teenager in King County today.

Metro transit operators and interns have one-on-one discussions to learn about each other’s experiences.

Metro’s Deputy General Manager Ernest Kandilige speaks with interns about his role and agency priorities.

Outreach lessons turned into outreach opportunities

To learn outreach tips, interns heard from 2025 intern alumni Simone, Ming, and Kelly, who shared takeaways and advice about making the most of their time with Metro. They also shared their post-internship paths, including pursuing part-time jobs with King County, pursuing higher education, and applying for additional internships.

2025 program alumni returned to share tips and takeaways with 2026 program participants.

The internship itself allowed me to engage with a variety of different professions and opportunities offered by Metro, and ultimately allowed me to continue my career at King County Parks, working with children in Skyway. I thank Metro sincerely for opening this door for me.
-Kelly, 2025 Youth Transit Summer Intern and 12th grader at Hazen HS

Interns then planned outreach projects to engage the community in Burien. One group organized a table at the Burien Library to distribute Youth ORCA cards and transit information to community members of all ages. Other groups developed high-energy activities to teach middle schoolers in Burien’s Teen Summer Crew program about transit: an outdoor tag game with a light rail theme, charades about onboard etiquette, and an “imposter” word game to learn more about types of transit.

Ian, Yasmin, and Shadia created a transit-themed charades activity for Burien Teen Summer Crew participants.

Eldana, Ariya, Gurshaan, and other interns hosted a table at the Burien Library to share information about free youth transit with library visitors.

I know for a fact I will be using all of things I learned … because it is truly so important that youth as a whole talk more about the free youth transit program, how important it really is and how people rely on it for their day-to-day life. I will take this opportunity to share this information with my friends and family.
-Aarón, 10th grader at Highline HS

Bus shelter artists

Interns painted six bus shelter mural panels, depicting themes of transit, local landmarks, and nature.

Mural panels installed at 1st Ave S and S 146th St northbound bus stop in Burien.

Interns documented the themes that stood out from their learning and painted a bus shelter mural, now installed at 1st Ave S & S 146th St in Burien, serving routes 131 and 132. Their images depict local landmarks, nature, transit modes, and geographies, brightening the shelter with pops of color.

I gained a much deeper understanding of how public transit is about so much more than getting from one place to another. Learning about Metro’s growing fleet of electric buses also showed me how public transportation can play an important role in reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable future.
-Ariya, 11th grader at Interlake HS

Developing social media messages

No high school internship would be complete without creating social media content. Interns crafted messages for Metro’s Instagram and TikTok audiences about taking transit, incorporating social media trends and engaging transit operators. Follow Metro on Instagram and TikTok to see their work!

Building futures

Interns work with SaFE Ambassador program staff to develop a safety messaging campaign

Component Supply Center staff give interns a tour of the sign shop

The Superintendent of the Transit Control Center showing interns a dispatcher’s screen

Throughout their three weeks, interns were exposed to dozens of transit career options. Many discovered new roles they had no idea existed and learned more by talking to Metro employees.

As a rising senior, I initially felt torn about my future career path. However, this internship helped me exponentially in narrowing down my goals. Because of the time I spent talking to professionals in the field, I now plan on majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in Urban Planning. I am truly inspired by the profound impact Urban Planners have through data and how they plan service for all of King County.
-Ian, 12th grader at Foster HS

I underestimated the huge impact this internship would have on me. I gained an immense amount of transit related knowledge, but more than that, I gained and a new perspective on my future. This experience showed me how important it is to ensure other young people have access to the same opportunities for generations to come.
-Sienna, 10th grader at Highline HS

In the short time since the program wrapped, several intern alumni have stayed involved with Metro, participating in Metro Flex advertisements, joining Metro’s Renton Area Mobility Project Board, and serving as youth voices on the Regional Transit Safety Task Force.

I’ve learned so many things [from this internship], from something [as] simple as getting an ORCA card to all the career options at King County Metro and learning where buses are built. After this internship I’ll definitely use more public transit in my day-to-day life.
-Yasmin, 10th grader at Mount Rainier HS