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Transportation
Few industries withstand an economic downturn the way transportation does. In the years following the 2008 recession, transportation job growth outpaced the national average, according to data analysis by CareerBuilder. Between 2010 and 2019, employment in transportation grew 6.6%, which was two points above nationwide job growth over this timeframe (4.1%). Due to its integral role in the supply chains of industrial and consumer sectors, transportation industry jobs will continue to grow as other industries rebound in the coming years, driven by the need to provide goods to consumers.
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Growing transportation needs and environmental concerns will increase job opportunities for professionals who plan, design, and build transportation systems and new energy-efficient cars, trucks, trains, buses, airplanes, and ships. There will also be job opportunities in converting vehicles for greater fuel efficiency and building and expanding public transportation systems. The greenest jobs in transportation will be those that help make it easier for more people to take mass transit or help find ways to dramatically reduce vehicle emissions.
Articles
- U.S. Department of Energy: Under “Advanced Vehicles and Fuels,” find out more about hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, alternative fuels, and more.
Student Groups
- Cal Poly Electric Vehicle Engineering Club - EVEC was formed to learn about, promote, and work towards developing technologies that will sustain an alternative energy future.
- Cal Poly Future Fuels Club - Cal Poly Future Fuels Club was started in December 2012 by a small, dedicated group of students in order to promote and further develop technologies that provide an alternative fuel source to Petroleum.
Programs and Courses
- BRAE 348: Energy For a Sustainable Society - Study of how the transition can be made from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources including hydro, biomass, solar, wind, and energy conservation. Environmental, economic, and political consequences of a renewable energy-based sustainable society. Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Area B. Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Area B.
- PSC 320: Energy, Society and the Environment - Science and technology of current and future energy sources along with associated environmental problems and societal response. Energy production, consumption, efficient usage, fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, other renewables.
- CE 321: Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering - The characteristics and functions of the highway, air, rail, transit and other modes of urban and intercity transportation. Fundamentals of transportation design, operations, and planning. Evaluation of costs, benefits, and environmental considerations. Prerequisite: PHYS 141; CE 259 or graduate standing
- CE 527: Sustainable Mobility - Presentation and analysis of concepts and designs for sustainable mobility from a global-to-local, interdisciplinary perspective, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation. Addresses the economy, environment, and equity (social issues) through lectures, panels, excursions and a planning/design project in San Luis Obispo County. Prerequisite: CE 321 or CRP 435 or consent of instructor
- Electric Power Institute - dedicated to the development of the best possible educational research and service in the area of power and energy systems, power quality, renewable and sustainable energy, and power electronics.
LinkedIn Groups
- Electric Vehicle Business and Career Network
- Engineering Electric Vehicles for America
- Hybrid Vehicle
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Internship Opportunities
- Clean Cities Program - Clean Cities, in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, offers opportunities to industry, organizations, government, businesses, and students. The program works with both large and small organizations through partnerships, projects, and internships, as well as through its Clean Cities coalitions.
- National Council for Science and the Environment - NCSE's Environmental Internship Clearinghouse enables university students to search for internships in the environmental field. Search by terms such as: clean transportation, green transportation, alternative fuel vehicles
Example Job Titles
- Battery Tester and Evaluator
- Electro-Mechanical Engineer
- Fuel Cell Engineer
- Parts Advisor
- Production Planner
- Public Policy Project Manager
- Transportation Planner
Job Listing Links
- O*NET Online: Green Transportation Jobs: View occupations and detailed information on work tasks, knowledge, abilities, salaries, and more.
- Transportation Crossing: Search for jobs in transportation
- The Green Job Bank
Infrastructure is a critical component to the career fields and industries related to transportation. Infrastructure projects create thousands of jobs and strengthen the backbone of the economy. As President Obama said in a State of the Union address, “There’s never been a better time to build.” A few key sectors related to modern transportation are public transit (buses, trains, light rail, streetcars, trams), bicycle pathways, urban design and planning, government policy, and community-based organizations.
Videos
Articles
- US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation: aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, highways, bridges, mass transit, and railroads.
- California’s High-Speed Rail Authority: By 2029, the high-speed rail system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour.
- Reimagining Infrastructure: Orion Magazine examines infrastructure solutions for the next generation.
Student Groups
- Cal Poly Institute of Transportation Engineers - ITE is an organization dedicated to connecting and educating transportation professionals. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student chapter aims to connect students with peers and professionals, to explore the opportunities within the field, and to make a lasting and meaningful impact on our community and profession.
- Cal Poly Associated Students in Planning - ASP is a Cal Poly and American Planning Association accredited club for pre-professional students interested in the field of urban design and City and Regional Planning.
Programs and Courses
- Transportation Planning (MCRP/MS Engineering)
- CRP 334 - Cities in a Global World
- CRP 425 - Biking, Walking, and the City
- CRP 435 - Transportation Theory
- CE 321 – Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering
- CE 423 - Intelligent Transportation Systems
- CE 424 - Public Transportation
Professional Connections
- American Planning Association Emerging Professionals - for students, recent graduates, and others starting planning careers.
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Highways, Transportation & Civil Engineering Jobs - LinkedIn group open to job seekers, recruiters, and networkers.
- Transportation Planning and Traffic Engineers - LinkedIn networking group
- Cal Poly City and Regional Planning - LinkedIn group for Cal Poly CRP students, alumni, faculty, and friends
Internship Opportunities
- Department of Transportation Pathways Program
- San Francisco County Transportation Authority Internships
Example Job Titles
- Bicycle Planner
- Cartographer
- Civil Engineer
- Photogrammetrist
- Surveyor
- Transportation Planning Coordinator
- Urban Planner
Job Listing Links
- Transportation Career Guide: Explore transportation careers using links to job descriptions, which include information such as daily activities, skill requirements, salary, and training required.
- Planning Jobs: This site, created to connect students with planning jobs, is sponsored jointly by UC-Berkeley’s Department of City & Regional Planning and Center for Community Innovation.
Logistics is a rapidly expanding field that has been fueled by the globalization of manufacturing and customer‐supplier relationships. This trend has been enabled by new approaches to value chain management and packaging technology.
Videos
Articles
- 10 Reasons to Consider a Career in Logistics - Evans Distribution Systems lists the top ten reasons why a career in Logistics is worth consideration.
Student Groups
- Poly Pack (Cal Poly Packaging Association)
- Cal Poly Institute of Transportation Engineers - an organization dedicated to connecting and educating transportation professionals.
Programs and Courses
- IME 417: Supply Chain and Logistics Management - Overview of key logistics and supply chain management concepts. Models and solution methods for the design, control, operation, and management of supply chains. Techniques that are used to analyze supply chains. Team projects in partnership with industry sponsors. Prerequisite: IME 342, or IME 410 or consent of instructor.
- ITP 415: Supply Chain and Logistics - Key concepts, tools, and approaches for making effective supply chain and logistics decisions in support of business goals. Practical management issues and applications are the focus rather than theoretical, mathematical optimization. Business cases and simulations are used to illustrate and explore best practices. Prerequisite: ITP 303, ITP 326, ITP 330, ITP 341, or ITP 371.
- AGB 422: Transportation and Logistics in Global Agribusiness - Scope and elements of the agribusiness logistics system including supply and distribution channels, transportation, inventory, warehousing, packaging, and order processing. Prerequisite: AGB 323 and AGB 328.
Professional Connections
- American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
- Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)
LinkedIn Groups
- The Logistics and Supply Chain Networking Group
- Freight and Logistics Professionals
- Third Party Logistics
- Packaging Design
- Logistics Network
Internship Opportunities
- Internships with DHL - DHL offers you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the exciting day-to-day business environment of the world’s leading logistics company.
- Internship Crossing - Offers a large selection of internships in logistics and packaging.
Example Job Titles
- Associate Logistics Analyst
- Demand Planner
- Import Brokerage Coordinator
- Logistician
- Logistics Coordinator
- Logistics Engineer
- Master Scheduler
- Ocean Export Coordinator
- Operations Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Terminal Manager
- Warehouse Manager
Job Listing Links
- Jobs in Logistics - North America’s largest logistics career board.
Transportation security and safety is critical to overall national security, and as an industry, has seen dramatic employment growth since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.This job market is projected to show further growth over the next 5-10 years, with future employment opportunities developing in the security administration of airports, train stations, shipping ports, and along the coastlines and national borders.
Market Information
- Securing U.S. - Bound Container Cargoes
- Public Transit Safety Gets a Boost from Mobile Wifi Solutions
Major US Transportation Safety Organizations
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Created to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems and ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
- Amtrak Security & Safety: Amtrak has a range of behind-the-scenes and front-line security measures in place to ensure passenger rail security.
- Customs and Border Patrol: CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s largest and most complex components, with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S.
- National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security: The Strategy includes two primary goals: to promote the efficient and secure movement of goods, and to foster a resilient supply chain.
- Occupational Health & Safety-Transportation
- Operation RAIL SAFE: Amtrak Police, TSA personnel and law enforcement officers from federal, state, local, rail and transit agencies deploy at passenger rail and transit stations, and along the right-of-way, to exercise counterterrorism and incident response.
- Ports, Waterways & Coastal Security: The mission of PWCS is the protection of the U.S. Maritime Domain and the U.S. Marine Transportation System (MTS) and those who live, work or recreate near them; the prevention and disruption of terrorist attacks, sabotage, espionage, or subversive acts; and response to and recovery from those that do occur.
- US Dept. of Transportation Maritime Administration National Port Readiness Network:: Provides coordination and cooperation to ensure the readiness of commercial ports to support force deployment during contingencies and other defense emergencies.
- US Dept. of Transportation Maritime Administration Office of Port and Cargo Security: Addresses all issues relating to security policy, plans, operations, compliance, research, development, and exercises for the Marine Transportation System.
- US Dept. of Transportation Maritime Administration Office of Safety: It is the mission and responsibility of this Office to develop, coordinate and oversee Agency matters related to Safety, including issues relating to maritime safety, maritime safety compliance and maritime research and development.
Student Groups
- Cal Poly Institute of Transportation Engineers - Cal Poly's student chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers aims to educate and connect students to the transportation field. Student members explore opportunities within the field through industry presentations, social and community service events, and professional conferences.
Cal Poly Programs and Courses
- CE 423 - Intelligent Transportation Systems
- CE 488 - Engineering Risk Analysis
- CE 525 - Airport Planning and Design
- CE 526 - Transportation Safety
- CRP 339 - Disaster-Resistant Sustainable Communities
Professional Connections
- Airline & Airport Professionals Worldwide: The group shares best practices, tips, techniques and strategies as well as helping each other with employment and career opportunities.
- American Association of Port Authorities Committees and Networking: AAPA is dedicated to serving deep draft public ports by enhancing port management professionalism, and advocating issues critical to public seaports.
- Amtrak Police: Former, current and prospective Officers of the Amtrak Police, as well as supporters and affiliates.
- Mass Transportation and Tourism Security Professionals: Security professionals, managers who oversee security, and persons working in mass transportation who have a need to understand the process involved with securing transportation and tourism as a whole.
- National Border Patrol Council: Professional labor union representing more than 17,000 Border Patrol Agents and support staff.
- Team Coast Guard: Members (former, present & supporters of) the US Coast Guard, Reserve, and Auxiliary and Civilian components.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DHS: News, events, policy, and technologies related to the homeland security community.
Internship Opportunities
- Department of Homeland Security: DHS offers a variety of prestigious scholarships, fellowships, internships and training opportunities to expose talented students to the broad national security mission.
Example Job Titles
- Air Safety Investigator
- Customs and Border Protection Officer
- Director of Safety
- Marine Inspector
- Mission Support Specialist
- Naval Architect
- Program Analyst
- Risk Project Director
- Security Specialist
- Transportation Security Officer
Job Listing Links
- Amtrak Job Listings
- Amtrak Police Careers: Information about minimum qualifications, selection process, and salary and benefits.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Job Listings
- Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Careers - Links to information about how to choose a CBP career based on your major, CBP Internship and Recent Grad Program information, career descriptions, FAQs and hiring process information.
- Maritime Administration (MARAD) Job Listings
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Job Listings
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Careers
- US Coast Guard Job Listings
- US Coast Guard Civilian Careers