Metro jobs

[joequality]

I hate Information Technology. My job is boring, and has been for awhile. The obvious career switch would be towards transporation/city planning... my friends (and the little voice in my head) agree with me and think I should try and work for Metro. Unfortunately I dont have any direct experience in terms of jobs (IT dept for 3+ yrs). I emailed a transportation planning manager with my situation inquiring of the chances, and received a disheartening response: Most people they choose are from their college intern pool whom are picked first from the applicants.

Is anyone here working for Metro or in the same situation? I'm just looking for answers and advice, especially now that my efficiency in my current position is decreasing everyday. I'm only 27 but feel as though I wasted my time in college studying computer science when I should've been focusing on what I was passionate about. I know most people dont do what they studied in college, but it feels bleak when college interns have a huge advantage over you.

[whitmanlam]

Don't worry Joe, you have plenty of opportunities and time to break into a transportation job.

I wanted to be a transportation engineer myself before landing in Civil Engineering.

Transportation Engineering is a discipline that requires extensive experience and a degree (Preferably a masters or higher) and a PE license.
It deals with alot of signal control, traffic algorithms, Parking algorithms, and flow patterns of lanes.

Urban or Transportation Planning is much broader, and can be learned quicker. It involves demographic calculations, social behavior psychology, and micro and macro economics.

A four year degree is usually enough for a good position in Planning. Basically just imagine what you would need as a transit user and commuter and apply it to other people.

You have plenty of time to learn, take some part time courses, and apply for internships. A community College should be able to hook you up.

My first job was running Highway traffic projections in Orange County for IBI Corp. I felt it was boring too, but then I realized, it was just the bottom rung of the ladder back then, i was a nobody working a tedious job and inputting data into Arcview GIS, because nobody else was expendable to do it.

There are other opportunities to succeed in life, just stay positive and do the best you can.

[whitmanlam]

Oh and one more thing, the entry level jobs are very simple, like counting cars or recording the turnover rates for parking meters and parking lots.

These jobs are available all the time on city websites, and may not require any experience to do.
It is a good way to get some experience into transportation planning.

[wad]

joequality said:

I emailed a transportation planning manager with my situation inquiring of the chances, and received a disheartening response: Most people they choose are from their college intern pool whom are picked first from the applicants.

Don't be disheartened.

That's stock procedure for civil service jobs. Metro is required to hire for people that were in the pool longer.

I know a current Metro planner who was kept on as an intern for over 4 years before he was made a "real" planner.

If you want to work for Metro, just get your foot in the door. Take a job, as in IT or even a bus driver, to get some seniority and get the job you really want.

[joequality]

Just an update... I decided to get my act together. After months of research, test-taking, school-applying, and waiting, I was able to get accepted into USC's graduate planning program (School of Policy, Planning, and Development). I am totally stoked about it and cant wait to start in August. It will be change for me, #1 to go back to school full-time, #2 actually take classes that [should] be interesting, #3 go to a rival school (Bruin from 98-03). After that, I'll see what unfolds.

[masonite]

Jul 9, 2008 9:13:50 GMT -8 joequality said:

Just an update... I decided to get my act together. After months of research, test-taking, school-applying, and waiting, I was able to get accepted into USC's graduate planning program (School of Policy, Planning, and Development). I am totally stoked about it and cant wait to start in August. It will be change for me, #1 to go back to school full-time, #2 actually take classes that [should] be interesting, #3 go to a rival school (Bruin from 98-03). After that, I'll see what unfolds.

Congratulations.

Curious as to what research you did and why you choose USC? I have a master's from SC myself, but don't know much about the School of Policy, Planning, and Development).

[joequality]

Thanks!

When I say research, I mean researching what schools, what programs, what tests to take, where I really wanted to live, and if I really want to go through with everything. I thought about several options: planning, business, botany, landscape, and no build (not going to school).

Eventually I narrowed it down to both planning and biz, with USC and UCLA coming in tops because they have a joint program (MA/MBA in 3 yrs). So I applied to several schools, some for planning, some for biz, and some for both.

The only school I got accepted into was planning at SC, so it wasnt too hard to make that choice! I was really surprised I didnt get into UCLA UP, considering both schools are in the top 10, I had current UCLA UP students who gave me a few good words, and I got a partial scholarship to USC. I guess UCLA really doesnt like having their own kind in grad school! I am quite happy with it, since I can still remain in LA yet experience new perspectives at a different school.

I think I'll still try to get some other joint-degree program like MBA or Public Administration if I have the time (and money!). So yeah, I think USC's SPPD is a pretty good program. Masonite, what masters did you get at SC?

[masonite]

Jul 9, 2008 20:32:58 GMT -8 joequality said:

Thanks!

When I say research, I mean researching what schools, what programs, what tests to take, where I really wanted to live, and if I really want to go through with everything. I thought about several options: planning, business, botany, landscape, and no build (not going to school).

Eventually I narrowed it down to both planning and biz, with USC and UCLA coming in tops because they have a joint program (MA/MBA in 3 yrs). So I applied to several schools, some for planning, some for biz, and some for both.

The only school I got accepted into was planning at SC, so it wasnt too hard to make that choice! I was really surprised I didnt get into UCLA UP, considering both schools are in the top 10, I had current UCLA UP students who gave me a few good words, and I got a partial scholarship to USC. I guess UCLA really doesnt like having their own kind in grad school! I am quite happy with it, since I can still remain in LA yet experience new perspectives at a different school.

I think I'll still try to get some other joint-degree program like MBA or Public Administration if I have the time (and money!). So yeah, I think USC's SPPD is a pretty good program. Masonite, what masters did you get at SC?

Good deal. Sounds like a good spot for you. I found SC to be convenient for meeting with Downtown groups and businesses, which was real important for me and would likely be for you as well in this field.

I have a Master's from the Business School in accounting. I've made a good career out of it, but my mind often wonders and I get quite bored at work myself. Several years ago, I took off a year and traveled around the world. Great experience, but a little depressing coming back here for a few reasons, but especially seeing how far we are behind in the transit world even compared to vastly poorer countries.