You’re starting a career in Transportation Planning in academia. What do you need to know?

1 Education and skills

To pursue a career in transportation planning in academia, you need to have a strong academic background in relevant fields, such as engineering, urban planning, geography, economics, or social sciences. You also need to obtain a master’s or a doctoral degree in transportation planning or a related discipline, depending on your career goals and interests. Additionally, you need to develop skills in research methods, data analysis, modeling, communication, and teamwork. You should also be familiar with the latest trends and challenges in transportation planning, such as sustainability, equity, resilience, and innovation.

3 Teaching and mentoring

Another important aspect of your career in transportation planning in academia is teaching and mentoring. You will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with students at different levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. You will also have to design and deliver courses, assignments, and exams that are engaging, challenging, and aligned with the learning outcomes and standards of your institution. Moreover, you will have to mentor and supervise students who are pursuing their own research projects, such as theses or dissertations. You should provide them with guidance, feedback, and support throughout their academic journey.

4 Funding and grants

To support your research and teaching activities, you will need to secure funding and grants from various sources, such as government agencies, industry partners, foundations, or international organizations. Funding and grants can help you cover the costs of your research equipment, materials, staff, travel, and dissemination. They can also enhance your credibility and visibility as a researcher and educator. However, obtaining funding and grants can be competitive and challenging, so you need to be proactive, strategic, and collaborative. You should also be aware of the eligibility criteria, application procedures, and reporting requirements of each funding opportunity.

5 Networking and collaboration

One of the best ways to advance your career in transportation planning in academia is to network and collaborate with other professionals in the field. Networking and collaboration can help you exchange ideas, learn from others, access resources, create partnerships, and expand your influence. You can network and collaborate with your colleagues, peers, mentors, students, alumni, or external stakeholders, such as practitioners, policymakers, or community groups. You can also participate in various events and platforms, such as conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, podcasts, or social media, that are relevant to your interests and goals.

6 Impact and outreach

Finally, you should strive to make a positive impact and outreach with your career in transportation planning in academia. Impact and outreach refer to the ways in which your research and teaching can benefit society and the environment, beyond the academic sphere. You can achieve impact and outreach by engaging with the public, media, or decision-makers, and by demonstrating how your work can address real-world problems and opportunities. You can also use various tools and methods, such as blogs, podcasts, videos, infographics, or policy briefs, to communicate your work to a wider and diverse audience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?