Her Story
About Vanessa
I've been with Metro Transit for nearly 20 years, and I'm currently the bus operator apprenticeship coordinator, a role I've held for 2 years. I manage a comprehensive two-year apprenticeship program for new employees who want to become bus operators. Our data shows that when employees make it through two years, they're usually here for the long haul - we still have people who work with Metro Transit for 20 to 40 years. My main responsibilities include registering apprentices with the Department of Labor and scheduling and facilitating training workshops throughout those first two years, where we review initial training, go deeper on topics, and bring in new content. The apprentices also have mentorship meetings and are assigned a mentor for their first two years. Before becoming a coordinator, I was an instructor at Metro Transit for 13 years, and I actually started my instructing career in the school bus industry at age 21, giving me 15 years total as an instructor. I'm a second-generation bus operator - both my parents drove bus - and I entered this field shortly after having my son because it was accessible without requiring extensive prior job skills and education. I mentor Tyler Jarr, the assistant coordinator for the apprenticeship, and I've been guided throughout my career by my main mentor, Scott Jester, who has been really impactful in teaching me different ways of training and looking at things, as well as just life in general.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having interest in people, the communities that we serve, as well as the very diverse co-workers I have. I'm really curious about how people use transit - whether they're going to work, doing their daily errands, or going to events. But the main thing is building people's communities. That genuine interest in the people we serve and work with has been central to everything I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to go where you can grow. This has shaped how I approach my field by always looking for other opportunities in different parts of the industry, which will lead you to new places. It's kept me open to exploring new roles and expanding my career rather than staying stagnant.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to try something new. Only one in five bus operators are female, and a lot of women are intimidated by a vehicle that's 60 feet long and the mechanics of it. But it's so much more rewarding than it appears. Don't let the size of the vehicle or the technical aspects scare you away - there's so much opportunity here.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is definitely the aggressive driving of the public - people driving down central roads at 90 miles per hour, just speed racers for no reason. On the opportunity side, the sky is the limit at the Met Council. There is always somewhere to grow and a new level to reach. We're continuously expanding, so there are always opportunities for advancement and development internally.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are inclusion and equity, especially in how we treat people. I'm proud of the outreach work I've done with about 25 operators who were at risk of losing their CDL due to the final rule affecting those without green cards or U.S. citizenship. With what's going on in the country right now and immigration being looked at in ways that dehumanize people, I believe in really showing inclusion and equity. This is especially important in Minnesota, where we have the biggest Somali community at Metro Transit. I value building people's communities and having genuine interest in the diverse communities we serve and the diverse co-workers I work with.
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