Cassie Wilson graduated from Portland State University (PSU) in 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. She is now the Transportation Policy Manager for 1000 Friends Of Oregon.
Connect with Cassie on LinkedIn
What do you do in your current role, and what does a typical day look like?
I’m the Transportation Policy Manager at 1000 Friends of Oregon. I’m helping lead the Move Oregon Forward coalition to advocate for a state transportation funding package that prioritizes safety, climate, and equity. I meet with legislators, lead on coalition strategy, write sign-on letters, one-pagers, and testimony guides, and build relationships with other transportation stakeholders.
How did your experience at PSU shape your path into the transportation field?
Taking transportation classes at PSU helped me transition from volunteer transportation advocacy to a career in transportation policy by giving me the educational background to support what I was learning on the ground. I interned at 1000 Friends doing transportation policy research while I was at PSU. I also took public health equity and gerontology classes to expand my perspective on the impacts of transportation planning.
What advice would you give to current students or recent grads interested in a career in transportation?
There are so many directions a career in transportation can go! Interning at 1000 Friends reassured me that public policy was the direction I was most interested in. I did informational interviews and networking with transportation professionals, and learned a lot through interacting with them on community advisory boards. Whether you’re interested in research, planning, policy, engineering, or program implementation - I encourage you to connect with people doing the work you’re interested in!
What’s one project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of in your career so far?
The Oregon in Motion report that 1000 Friends of Oregon published from my internship has been used by legislators, advocates, and other transportation stakeholders to get up to speed on the development and impacts of the last state transportation package. It’s been one of 1000 Friends’ most used Gerhardt intern reports and continues to be helpful to folks even halfway through the development of this year’s transportation package. It surprised me how many people read the full report – even at 60 pages in length!
This is the first installment in a new Transportation Alumni Highlight series, showcasing Portland State University (PSU) graduates who are making a difference in the world of transportation.
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