How One Mentor Helped a Transit Scholar See His Future More Clearly

What began as a mentoring match ultimately became a memorable introduction to the public transportation industry for Elijah Fischer.

As part of the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) Scholar Mentor Program, Fischer was matched with Mike Heidkamp, principal of MTH Consulting LLC and former chief operating officer at Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). The connection developed into a meaningful professional relationship, with the two meeting six times over the course of two months.

For Heidkamp, the experience provided an opportunity to give back to the industry following his retirement. For Fischer, it opened the door to a deeper understanding of how public transportation agencies operate and the many career paths the field can offer.

Their mentoring relationship culminated in an in-person visit in Pittsburgh, PA, where Fischer joined Heidkamp for a day of immersive industry exposure. The visit included attending a PRT board meeting, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Monongahela Incline, and a meeting with PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman.

Fischer said the experience gave him valuable insight into public transportation governance and operations. Attending the board meeting, he said, showed him how transit boards function and underscored both the agency’s commitment to sustaining service and how it goes about tackling challenges. Discussion of an upcoming bus network redesign highlighted how difficult major service changes can be for riders. Overall, the visit provided Fischer with a renewed sense of optimism about his future career in transit.

APTF’s Scholar Mentor Program connects APTF scholarship recipients with industry leaders to increase engagement and provide firsthand exposure to the profession. Mentors commit time over the course of the year to help scholars navigate career opportunities and better understand the public transportation industry.

Learn more about public transportation scholarships and the mentor program.