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MDOT recognized with 2026 Handshake Early Talent Award
March 10, 2026
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been named a recipient of the 2026 Handshake Early Talent Award, a national recognition honoring employers that demonstrate excellence in engaging and hiring early career talent.
The award highlights organizations that lead with intentional strategy, innovative outreach and measurable results in connecting students and recent graduates to meaningful career opportunities. Selected from among nearly 1 million employers using the Handshake platform, MDOT stands out as one of a select group of employers recognized within its industry.
“MDOT is proud to receive this distinction,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “Investing in early talent is not just a hiring tactic, it is a long-term workforce strategy. At MDOT, we are intentional about creating pathways for students and emerging professionals to contribute, grow and build impactful careers in public service. This recognition reflects our department-wide commitment to developing the next generation of transportation leaders.”
MDOT has long been recognized as a leader in state government recruitment. This national acknowledgment places the department among other large employers across industries that are shaping best practices in early talent hiring. The award underscores MDOT’s continued leadership and competitive position in attracting and engaging the workforce of the future.
Through consistent outreach, strong employer branding and year-round engagement, MDOT connects with students and job seekers across Michigan and beyond. Department representatives regularly attend career fairs, industry events and campus outreach opportunities, ensuring early and consistent engagement with emerging talent.
These efforts are led by MDOT’s Workforce Programs and Recruitment Section within the Office of Organizational Development, which coordinates the department’s strategic recruitment initiatives and oversees a broad portfolio of workforce development programs. This includes internship opportunities, STEM outreach initiatives, veteran-focused programs, K-12 engagement efforts and other targeted outreach strategies designed to expand awareness of and access to careers in transportation.
MDOT’s approach is intentional and data-informed, focused not only on filling roles today but on building sustainable talent pipelines for tomorrow.
“This award reinforces that our strategy is working,” MDOT Chief Strategic Impact Officer Terri Slaughter said. “We are proud of the ambassadors, hiring managers and leaders across the department who actively support early talent initiatives. Becoming a great place to work for students and emerging professionals is a priority for MDOT, and it requires commitment at every level of the organization.”
As a department priority, MDOT is committed to being a great place to work for employees at all stages of their careers, from students exploring their first internship to seasoned professionals advancing into leadership roles. By investing early and building meaningful relationships over time, MDOT strengthens its workforce and enhances its ability to serve Michigan’s communities.
For more information about careers and workforce programs at MDOT, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDOTCareers.