Katherine Keeling graduated from Portland State University (PSU) in 2022 with a Master's in civil engineering. She is now a Senior Analyst in Operations & Finance Planning at TriMet.
Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn
What do you do in your current role, and what does a typical day look like?
I am a Senior Analyst for Operations & Finance Planning. As this title suggests, my main focus is estimating the operations & maintenance costs associated with a change in transit operations. Depending on the impetus, I might be collaborating with transit planners, maintenance experts, executives, or engineering & construction project managers.
How did your experience at PSU shape your path into the transportation field?
I actually keep my PSU transportation engineering notes at my cubicle desk! When I joined a team of analysts, I felt lacking in my understanding of data structures. But I decided to lean into my experience as a researcher to vet assumptions/methodologies, elevate the communication of findings, and to integrate scholarly knowledge into the interpretation of TriMet’s internal data. This became my professional voice!
What advice would you give to current students or recent grads interested in a career in transportation?
Don’t let fear hold you back from asking all the questions that you need answered! For me, it was tough to be vulnerable enough to ask questions in a large meetings with seasoned professionals, but demonstrating a genuine intent to understand and engage will always pay off! Plus, transportation folks appreciate enthusiasm and heart, not just technical skills.
What’s one project or accomplishment you’re especially proud of in your career so far?
A fun project was drumming up ridership studies to help TriMet negotiate a Ticket-to-Ride campaign with Providence Park; now any Timbers/Thorns/concert ticket is valid fare on event days! It’s a fun way to make transit a part of people’s memories.
Photo courtesy of TriMet. This is an installment in a Transportation Alumni Highlight series, showcasing Portland State University (PSU) graduates who are making a difference in the world of transportation.
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