I split this into two different post because I am taking one from the ACE students point of view and my point of view of what we learned while at the maintenance facility.
Last week we took 25 students to the Valley Metro Light Rail Maintenance Facility where they had a chance to experience how the facility works, maintain the carts, and first hand how the conductors operate the vehicles.
Since I was the main organizer of the field trip I was the constant point of contact between our ACE Program and with the representatives with Valley Metro. I was surprised to learn that there are a lot of career opportunities with Valley Metro (VM). I know it is naive of me to think that when it came to careers with VM, naturally I thought, bus drivers and now cart operators. I never stopped to consider that those positions are only the face of VM, all the rest happens behind a curtain, administration, operations, engineering, and community relations to name only a few essential pieces behind the scene that comprises the entire make up of VM.
I was especially drawn to the the last one, community relations, which is whom I was in constant contact with when we were planning the visit with the students. This branch of VM is charged with the task of educating the community on the purpose, values, and benefits of using the mass transportation system in the Valley of the Sun.
At this point in dawned on me that I remember this representatives giving presentations on how to effectively and safely use the bus routes back when I was in grade school. I found that one I am done at ASU I will be seeking opportunities with Valley Metro. I never knew transportation could be so fun, encompassing, or essential to the vitality of the city.
I made sure that my contact with Valley Metro knew that I would be open and willing to learn more about employment opportunities with their organization once I finish my schooling.
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