The next generation of transportation professionals has a challenging future ahead of them dealing with a wide range of issues from public policy to financing the roadways. This makes sharing information among colleagues important, and a young transportation professionals group in Houston is leading the way.
This past year, young professionals from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) started up the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) chapter in the Greater Houston area. Initially started in Washington DC, YPT has morphed into a means to help grow the next generation of transportation professionals through regular leadership seminars, networking happy hours and business meetings. There are now over 5,000 members in 18 chapters around the U.S. The Houston chapter currently has 130 members and has held monthly events on topics ranging from natural gas infrastructure to sustainable transportation initiatives.
“What sets us apart from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers and other transportation professional organizations is our focus on bringing together young transportation engineers, planners, and public policy professionals together to talk about transportation as a holistic problem,” said YPT Houston Acting Chair and TTI Assistant Research Scientist Nick Norboge.
“Another perk is our low-cost focus,” said YPT Programs Vice Chair and TTI Assistant Research Scientist Lauren Cochran. “This makes us an attractive option for those who can’t afford a $40 lunch every month.”
While the target membership age is 18-35, there are no maximum age restrictions. Membership dues are $20 per year and monthly events usually run about $10-15 for paid members. Anyone who is interested in joining can feel free to sign up by going here: https://my.yptransportation.org/join. For more information, contact Nick Norboge at 713-613-9203.
“Anytime a young professional at TTI comes down to the Houston office, they’re welcome to swing by my office to talk about how to get involved with YPT,” said YPT Deputy Chair and TTI Associate Transportation Researcher Jonathan Brooks. “I’m available anytime.”
Follow YPT Houston on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ypthouston.