APTF Scholarship Essay: Calvin Wong

Calvin Wong is a 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 Wong’s studies in an MS in Transportation Management (MSTM) offered at San Jose State University, a program supported by the Mineta Transportation Institute. This is his story:

Calvin Wong, MSTM ’22

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), Maintenance Specialist Leader

I first engaged with APTA when I participated in the International Rail Rodeo in Toronto in 2019, where I got to meet with industry leaders and compete with transportation authorities across the United States and even with Japan Rail East. That experience sparked a deeper interest in public transportation, and, through my APTA network, I learned about San Jose State University’s MSTM program.

I joined the MSTM program to develop the academic skills and broad industry knowledge I needed to advance my career beyond the position I held as a front-line maintenance expert. And just as APTA helped me to discover the MSTM, later in my academic journey an APTF scholarship provided critical financial support.

The MSTM program’s blend of classroom learning and real-world engagement gave me the skills to expand the scope of my impact at work. Because of what I learned in the MSTM, during the COVID pandemic I was asked to share with upper management my front-line perspective working at a repair facility. More recently, I was appointed to LA Metro’s 2028 Olympics Employee Advisory Board, where I’m again contributing my front-line expertise as a light rail vehicle maintainer.

My greatest enjoyment in participating in the MSTM program is the support network for alumni. As an alum, I’ve learned about opportunities to participate in local conferences and virtual forums, and shared job opportunities with colleagues. Further, I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring MSTM students working on the capstone projects required for the degree.

Through this experience, I discovered my passion for mentoring students and peers. I now volunteer as a mentor with the SeedLA high-school and Los Angeles Trade Tech. These institutions prepare students for technical and leadership roles in transportation, thus ensuring the next generation has the tools and the information to steer transportation toward a more efficient and equitable future.

Calvin Wong received the APTF Board Scholarship in 2021. Learn more about him in a reflection published by the Mineta Transportation Institute: Where You Invest Your Love: A Journey of Connection and Service at LA Metro.