Dr. Nithin Agarwal, Director of the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) Technology Transfer (T2) Center and graduate faculty in the UF Herbert Wertheim Civil and Coastal Engineering Department met with students in the Gator Engineering at Santa Fe program at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL on February 25, 2020. 

Dr. Agarwal shared how the transportation sector is growing and new careers continue to emerge as technologies expand and develop. While past transportation engineers traditionally came from the civil engineering field, today’s transportation challenges require multidisciplinary approaches with innovators from various fields including computer, electrical, mechanical, structural, materials, environmental, and industrial and systems engineering. Additionally, engineers working in transportation often collaborate with many other professionals in planning, human factors, community engagement, economics, geomatics, and occupational therapy.

Students interested in pursuing transportation careers can find coursework (undergraduate and graduate) in transportation as well as research opportunities at the University of Florida Transportation Institute. Located in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, the UFTI brings together over 100 affiliate faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds to address our most pressing transportation problems. Through UFTI, students have access to industry connections, alumni networking, and cutting-edge research. Paid assistantships and fellowships are available for exceptional Master’s and Ph.D. students.

The Gator Engineering at Santa Fe program is a collaboration between the University of Florida, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, and Santa Fe College where students begin their coursework at Santa Fe and then matriculate to UF to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering. The Gator Engineering at State College of Florida (SCF) is a similar collaboration with the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

If your community college would be interested in a presentation on transportation opportunities at the University of Florida, contact Ondine Wells, owells@ufl.edu.