In the June 17 issue of the Transit Intelligence newsletter, I asked readers to share the positives of working for a transit property. I received several thoughtful answers, which I'll share here. But I'd like to hear more, if you'd care to share them as a comment to this blog. Or if you wish to e-mail them to contact@TransitTalent.com.
1. We bring people of all different ages, backgrounds, religions, nationalities, political views, interests, and income levels together.
2. We help those who are unable to get around otherwise or cannot afford cars.
3. Job security. We have lost very few jobs here at my agency, and in my 23 years, all my paychecks have been on time and have never bounced. Also, we still have a retirement package, slowly becoming a thing of the past in other industries.
4. Variety. No two days are ever the same!
5. Free transit pass. Which, in turn, encourages you to reduce your carbon footprint, potentially saves you money and allows you to observe or be in touch with your customers and familiarizes you with your community's transit system so you can do your job better.
6. We work in an industry that values modern technology, e.g., GPS, intelligent transportation systems, the Internet, mobile phones and telecommunications to inform riders and communicate with them and serve them better.
7. I enjoyed working in transit as I am a people person. Yes, there
are stinkers out there, but the vast majority of
employees, passengers and governing body members are good people. Many
evenings I'd
arrive home, knowing that I made a positive impact on people's
lives.
8. You
learn to live with things taking WAY longer than you think they should.
9. We work in an industry that does not poison, pollute, exploit, or rely on manipulation and deception to sell product.
10. In public transit, we're part of a positive trend and a revolution in America.
Special thanks to the following people for their input: Cindy Dahlgren of the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority in Concord, Calif.; Kerry Doane of the Utah Transit Authority in Salt Lake City; Denis Meyers of Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority in Allentown, Pa.; Ed Park of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County in Reno, Nev.; Herb Pence; and Dennis Siewerd of Orange County Transportation Authority in Orange, Calif.
I agree with all of the ten statements mentioned and why I miss working in a transit agency a whole lot. After getting laid off in San Jose in 2003, it's been a struggle to find a senior level planning job in a transit agency. I tried consulting work but that just doesn't seem to fit with me. People who start their careers in planning tend to stay in the positions for a very long time. Positions that do get posted seem to get filled through internal promotions. How can I, as an external candidate, enhance my position to try and be more competitive with internal candidates?
Posted by: Paul Kimo McGregor | July 23, 2009 at 02:28 PM
I would add that our job is truly historic in nature because somewhere along some route, standing on a sidewalk, at the end of a driveway in the heat of a blistering day or under a rain soaked hoodie is a future leader of our country, a doctor or a scientist who will find that elusive cure. You never know, there may stand a future President of the Untied States.
Posted by: Lionel Pinn | August 25, 2009 at 08:50 AM