Five Los Angeles-area educators were introduced to the transportation industry this summer by a WTS Los Angeles pilot program launched in partnership with the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (Expo Construction Authority).
The Summer Externship for Educators was piloted as a companion to WTS-LA’s Adopt-a-School program, for which the organization partners with high schools to introduce young women to careers in transportation. Unlike the program for students, the externship aims to shape curricula and spark interest in transportation careers by targeting teachers and administrators, according to retired Los Angeles Unified School District Administrator Emilie Gino, who created the program. Gino has created curricula for successful career academies within the LAUSD school system and based the externship pilot program on those academies. Educators seldom have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals in other fields, and this program gave them a real-world glimpse at life in the transportation field, Gino said.
“Externships provide opportunities to bridge the gap between academia and industry or business,” she said.
During the three-day externship, the five educators — four administrators from Santa Monica Community College and a high school instructor from one of the Adopt-a-School institutions — got an up-close and personal look at the Exposition Light Rail Line, which will run from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. The first phase of the project, downtown to Culver City, opened to the public in 2012. The second phase is now under construction and construction is expected to be completed next year.
From July 30 through August 1, the group visited Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority headquarters, rode the completed portion of the line, and toured the area where the line is currently under construction, along the way meeting with staff and consultants who shared their perspectives about the project and their careers.
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Presentation Topics
- An overview and status of the project
- Marketing, community relations and social media
- An overview of design and construction
- Women in engineering
- Funding sources
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Procurement
- Bids
- Woman-owned business/consulting
- Starting out in engineering
Following a comprehensive look at Expo operations and construction, the group’s final half day was spent at Metro Rail’s operating Division 20 Yard, where the educators glimpsed how the line will be managed when it’s finished, and received a tour of the train maintenance facility and control tower. Focusing on the Expo Line gave the group the opportunity to meet workers in all phases of a major project, giving them a true look at what a career in the industry might look like.
“We believe bringing administrators and educators into the arena of transportation agencies will give them a firsthand, in-the-trenches perspective,” WTS Los Angeles Chapter President Lynda Bybee said. “This exposure can translate into curricula development and authentic guidance to the student population.
“The importance of this program is to put our local educational institutions on alert that through the growth of Los Angeles area transportation infrastructure, a student can make choices now that will put them on track for a rewarding lifetime career. It’s a win for all parties.”
Indeed, a career in transportation was not even on the radar of some participants. Mike Marderosian, a computer technology instructor for the Montebello School District, said his students can benefit greatly from knowing what career opportunities exist in mass transit.
“I had no idea of the extent of what is already in place, and better yet, what is to be,” he said. “Exposure to career possibilities would be of the greatest value for my students. No doubt, any one of us can remember when we were young and facing the same questions as my students. Constantly looming over our head would be the prospect that in a short while we would need to decide what to do with the rest of our lives. My students face the same questions: What will interest me? Which industry sector will afford compensation to live at a level that I want? Where will there be stable employment? How can I find a job that I will find rewarding?”
With many new projects in the works in Los Angeles County, there are many opportunities for a career in transportation, according to Samantha Bricker, chief operating officer of the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority and a WTS-LA director at large.
“There are numerous opportunities for young people to pursue careers in all aspects of the transportation sector, from engineering and construction to community relations and procurement. The key will be to introduce faculty — administrators and teachers — to this growing industry and showcase the various positions that are available and skill sets needed to perform these jobs. The WTS-LA externship was a positive first step on this path and hopefully will lead to more schools and colleges encouraging their students to pursue opportunities in the transportation field.”
Frank Dawson, associate dean for workforce and economic development at Santa Monica Community College, said he was eager to share his new knowledge with his colleagues.
“The involvement and time commitment from the Expo Construction Authority COO was very much appreciated. The sharing of information by all levels of support staff was wonderful. I especially came to appreciate the importance of the community relations staff and their impact on the project’s success.”
Although the career opportunities are diverse, one particular skill was emphasized by every worker the group met, from every area and phase of the project: communication.
For Marderosian, hearing about the importance of reading and writing in the workplace was validating, as it is something he emphasizes in the classroom.
“Time and time again teachers can repeat the need for students to develop strong communication skills. But this advice will really be taken to heart when it comes from the lips of someone in industry.”
The chapter plans to expand the program to other transportation agencies next year.
“Several of our chapter's directors at large are high ranking executives at local transportation agencies. We were fortunate to have the Expo Construction Authority step up for the pilot program this year,” Bybee said.
Externship participant Maria Leon-Vazquez, a project manager at Santa Monica College and president of the Santa Monica/Malibu School District board, said she made connections that will help in her work in both roles and in creating professional development for teachers.
“I will be able to utilize the contacts with Expo and Metro and the private companies working with them,” she said. “There are many collaboration potentials.”
WTS Los Angeles is the largest chapter of WTS (formerly Women’s Transportation Seminar), a 5,000-strong international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women.
Erika Grotto is a freelance writer and editor based in Chicago.
