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Friday, October 7, 2022 8:24:00 AM
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?
I started in 2018 as a light rail electro-mechanical technician, after working five years as a mechanical foreman at a freight railroad. I needed a change for a better work-life balance. It was a salaried position, and working 60 hours a week was eating up a lot of my personal time. I was nervous about changing careers but was quickly welcomed by my peers and fellow technicians. I worked as a light rail technician for a year then became a light rail vehicle maintenance trainer. After two years, I moved to quality assurance on the rail systems side to gain experience and build new relationships. After serving briefly as acting quality assurance manager, I was promoted into that position in September 2022.
What were your career goals and what steps did you take to achieve them?
My goal has always been to strive for continuous improvement within myself and for the organization. I know that sounds cheesy but as I have moved around, I have seen where things can be improved. The biggest area that grabbed my attention was procedures and documents. Last summer, I received an advanced technical writing certification so I could get a better grasp on how documents should be written for general usability.
What advice do you have for others?
Be humble and own your mistakes. Owning up to mistakes shows willingness to improve. There’s always someone who has more knowledge or experience, and you need that collaboration. Be willing to challenge yourself and to step out of your comfort zone.