Many people who work at Metro Transit take on new responsibilities and roles throughout their careers. Career Tracks highlights the paths employees have taken to their latest assignment and where they see themselves going next. To learn more about career opportunities at Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council, visit metrocouncil.org/employment.
How did you begin your career with Metro Transit?
Following Hurricane Katrina, I returned to Minnesota from Louisiana with my four small children. I needed a job, so I applied for a position in Customer Service at Metro Transit. I have always been fond of transit; I grew up in Chicago where my grandpa worked for Chicago Transit Authority and retired after 30 years of service. He always said that transit will always need staff because people need to get around and that those jobs can provide well for your family. When I applied, that’s how I felt – I wanted a job to help provide for my family and rebuild after the hurricane. Out of hundreds of applicants for one position, I was chosen. Then, I knew that my career with Metro Transit was meant to be.
What were your career goals and what steps did you take to achieve them?
I wanted to find a job to meet my family’s needs while I worked to finish my college degree. At Metro Transit, I discovered this could be a career. So, I took steps to learn everything I could, which led to more responsibilities, internal training, and guidance from others. After three years in Customer Service, I applied and earned a job in the Transit Control Center. While learning the systems, I jumped at opportunities to train others, and was recommended to become the Management Advisor for Transit Safety & Security. Three years later, I took on the role of Assistant Manager at Nicollet Garage. Here, I learned about garage operations, and union contracts, while taking on lead responsibilities. In 2018, I became Manager of Street Operations, which provided me the opportunity to now have worked in nearly every aspect of transit operation. I’m not sure what the next step might be, but I know that the sky is the limit. So, I’ll continue to work hard and learn as much as I can to prepare for the next steps in my career when the time is right.
What advice do you have for others who want to take on more or different responsibilities?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It’s not always easy, but it’s your plan and you must continue to work towards your goal. And remember, you have a support system within the agency: coworkers, supervisors, and mentors. Throughout my career, I have been able to gather nuggets of knowledge from many individuals across the agency that have helped my career progress. Put yourself out there and don’t give up – good things happen when they’re supposed to. And, don’t approach an issue with the attitude that it’s not my responsibility, but rather think of it as your opportunity to accomplish something.