I had actually forgotten how much I work with transit and rail related transport. I forgot that we assist in the transport of the REM and BART cars. I'm sure we've moved other train cars, and heavy equipment related to the construction of transit projects. If you want an alternative way into the industry, you could get into dispatching pilot cars as well.
Really interesting post Reece! Getting involved in such big public processes seems quite hard from the outside, but developing awareness in the public like you have done in the years (and I’m trying too here in Italy) is really helpful. I’m doing a bachelor in Civil Engineering and I will take a look at Delft program, I didn’t know about it!
I'm not in the transit industry, I have been on hiring boards for transit positions in Municiple Govt. I think another avenue in the volunteer/getying yourself know category is showing up: Go to the public consultations for transit projects, go to the meetings for Official Community Plans. Show up and ask transit questions, show up to rezoning or development permit permit applications public meetings and talk/ask about transit oriented development.
Depending on the size of your city: You'll be come known to council and planners, and you're showing them that you're interested in contributing and learning even when it's not your day job.
If I have two roughly equal resumès, but I've seen one of the candidates be involved in local governance and caring about transit on their own time: I'm going with that candidate. If I have evidence of someone caring about, learning about, and participating in the potential job- that tells me as much about the candidate as relevant work experience.
Great article, getting involved in advocacy groups, volunteering, and participating in the public process can go a long way. Outside of positions that have specific technical requirements (engineering, etc), those are some of the best ways to start a career.
Oh, and beyond participating: make sure it's clear on your resumè! If you haven't had a transit related job before: Have a seperate heading for "Transit Advocacy" or something like that. List a few projects you spoke about in meetings, list a group or campaign you participated in, list something transit-related you recommended be included in an OCP.
Spot on topic. It's very hard to find information on which is the best path to follow to get inside the Industry. As you suggested, there are many. After having replied to multiple job applications for more operative roles here in Italy, over the last years I've developed a personal project (EuropeanRailRoutes) where i create content on my train journeys in Europe. This indeed fuels my passion for train travel for now, which is fine.
My dream would be to find a role in comms in the Railway Industry. Who knows, maybe some day :)
Funny enough, that's how I ended up in the transit space as my full time job with a degree in STEM.
Had the chance to land an internship due to observing the plans & goals for my transit agency, and ended up making connections.
I think a lot of people tend to forget that having the drive for positive change is what makes you stand out. I'm glad to see a revival in transit (especially in Toronto, where I'm from).
It's always nice reading your articles on my email. I hope you have a plan to continue your tech articles, I was ecstatic to see another RISC enjoyer (mostly dealt with PPC during undergrad, but I dabble with ARM).
Thank you so much for writing this. As someone with a decade-long tech career and a lot of questions about how to get involved in bringing better transit, this almost came across like a sign from the skies.
Very well timed post Reece. Having finally gotten my undergrad, with poor marks, I'm left at a bit of a loss where to go. The handful of planning/transport programs in Canada aren't much of an option with my grades, so the ideas you've brought up may be where I'll end up going.
I went to the STM website mid-way reading this post and entered a suggestion to cut bus stops in 1/2.
I think you should ask whether someone responsible for instituting things would find that to be helpful
I had actually forgotten how much I work with transit and rail related transport. I forgot that we assist in the transport of the REM and BART cars. I'm sure we've moved other train cars, and heavy equipment related to the construction of transit projects. If you want an alternative way into the industry, you could get into dispatching pilot cars as well.
Really interesting post Reece! Getting involved in such big public processes seems quite hard from the outside, but developing awareness in the public like you have done in the years (and I’m trying too here in Italy) is really helpful. I’m doing a bachelor in Civil Engineering and I will take a look at Delft program, I didn’t know about it!
Its worth considering! Though you're in Europe so you have options!
I'm not in the transit industry, I have been on hiring boards for transit positions in Municiple Govt. I think another avenue in the volunteer/getying yourself know category is showing up: Go to the public consultations for transit projects, go to the meetings for Official Community Plans. Show up and ask transit questions, show up to rezoning or development permit permit applications public meetings and talk/ask about transit oriented development.
Depending on the size of your city: You'll be come known to council and planners, and you're showing them that you're interested in contributing and learning even when it's not your day job.
If I have two roughly equal resumès, but I've seen one of the candidates be involved in local governance and caring about transit on their own time: I'm going with that candidate. If I have evidence of someone caring about, learning about, and participating in the potential job- that tells me as much about the candidate as relevant work experience.
Great article, getting involved in advocacy groups, volunteering, and participating in the public process can go a long way. Outside of positions that have specific technical requirements (engineering, etc), those are some of the best ways to start a career.
Oh, and beyond participating: make sure it's clear on your resumè! If you haven't had a transit related job before: Have a seperate heading for "Transit Advocacy" or something like that. List a few projects you spoke about in meetings, list a group or campaign you participated in, list something transit-related you recommended be included in an OCP.
This is all great advice! Thank you for sharing it. Absolutely right about getting to be known by the key people in the space.
Spot on topic. It's very hard to find information on which is the best path to follow to get inside the Industry. As you suggested, there are many. After having replied to multiple job applications for more operative roles here in Italy, over the last years I've developed a personal project (EuropeanRailRoutes) where i create content on my train journeys in Europe. This indeed fuels my passion for train travel for now, which is fine.
My dream would be to find a role in comms in the Railway Industry. Who knows, maybe some day :)
If you grow a bit personal platform talking about the subject, its easier than you'd think to parlay that into a comms job!
Hi Reece, I hope all is well.
Funny enough, that's how I ended up in the transit space as my full time job with a degree in STEM.
Had the chance to land an internship due to observing the plans & goals for my transit agency, and ended up making connections.
I think a lot of people tend to forget that having the drive for positive change is what makes you stand out. I'm glad to see a revival in transit (especially in Toronto, where I'm from).
It's always nice reading your articles on my email. I hope you have a plan to continue your tech articles, I was ecstatic to see another RISC enjoyer (mostly dealt with PPC during undergrad, but I dabble with ARM).
Best regards,
Thanks Mo! Being positive where most are not *absolutely* makes you stand out in a huge way!
Thank you so much for writing this. As someone with a decade-long tech career and a lot of questions about how to get involved in bringing better transit, this almost came across like a sign from the skies.
That makes me so happy to hear!
Very well timed post Reece. Having finally gotten my undergrad, with poor marks, I'm left at a bit of a loss where to go. The handful of planning/transport programs in Canada aren't much of an option with my grades, so the ideas you've brought up may be where I'll end up going.
Happy to hear that! Lots of options!