A Career in Public Transportation: Choosing the Right Path

Flore Mountambote is the recipient of an American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF) scholarship. APTF aims to increase and retain the number of individuals choosing the transit field as a career by providing scholarships and engagement opportunities to deserving students and transit professionals. The APTF scholarship supported Mountambote’s studies in an MS in Transportation Management program (MSTM) offered at San Jose State University, a program supported by the Mineta Transportation Institute. This is her story:

Flore Mountambote, MSTM ’24

The Mineta Institute Master’s in Transportation Management (MTSM) program played a pivotal role in advancing my career. Choosing to invest in my education while coming from a family-oriented Congolese culture was not easy. In October 2020, I had just purchased a home for my multi-generational family and had no savings left. Despite this, I decided to pursue my graduate degree the following fall—earning a master’s had always been a goal of mine, and this was my chance to invest in my career.

I would not have completed the program without the scholarship I received from APTF. At times, I considered pausing my studies due to financial strain, but this scholarship allowed me to stay focused. Most importantly, being recognized and encouraged by my peers gave me the confidence to know I had chosen the right path.

When I began the program, I was a planner at Union City Transit in the San Francisco Bay Area, still learning public transportation. The MTSM program deepened my understanding of finance, particularly funding structures from state to local levels. I also learned from inspirational speakers who shared real-world insights beyond textbooks. Leadership courses helped me identify my workplace strengths and weaknesses and provided strategies for improvement.

During the program, I requested a promotion at Union City Transit but was turned down. Although disappointed, I realized I had to invest in myself—so I decided to promote myself. Having a master’s degree gave me an edge when applying for jobs, leading me to secure two promotions. The knowledge and confidence I gained helped me land a position as a project analyst with the Alameda County Transportation Commission, where I worked on federal and local mobility projects. As I completed the MTSM program, I secured a role as a transportation planner at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, focusing on travel demand management and mobility strategies.

Flore Mountambote received the APTF Donald Hyde Memorial Essay Scholarship in 2022. Learn more about her in a reflection published by the Mineta Transportation Institute at https://mailchi.mp/sjsu/inspiredtoconnecttheworld-jan2023.