When DeVona Love came to Metro Transit, she planned to stick around just long enough to pay for nursing school.
The longer she stayed, though, the more she dedicated herself to building a career in transit. She went from being a part-time to full-time bus operator, then moved into a role in Bus Maintenance that involved making minor repairs on buses.
Her latest leap was her biggest yet: Love was among the first group of people to successfully complete a two-year apprentice program for people aspiring to become mechanic technicians.
The program combines classroom instruction and mentorships and was developed to help people with little or no experience take the next steps in their careers. After graduating 11 people in December, a new group of participants will begin the program this year.
Love -- one of just a few women working at Metro Transit as a mechanic-technician -- said there was a lot to learn but that she found support at every step of the way.
"It can be intimidating at first, but I’ve learned it’s okay to ask for help,” she said. “Even the most experienced guys don’t hesitate to ask for help when they need it."
Like other recent graduates, Love is now working full-time as a mechanic technician, performing preventative maintenance activities, responding to road calls, and more. She expects to someday retire from Metro Transit and hopes her experience motivates others, especially women, to be willing to take on challenges throughout their careers.
"You’ll be supported, and it benefits both you and your family in the long run," she says, reflecting on her own journey. "If you show up, pay attention, and work hard, you’ll succeed.”
Our buses, trains, and railways need you!
Become a vehicle technician who works on buses, light rail, or commuter rail vehicles or a maintenance of way technician for our tracks and railway systems. Learn more and apply at metrotransit.org/mechanic-hiring