David Poag
"In what segment of the public transportation industry will you
make a career and why?”
In life there are all different types of people. Some know exactly what they want to do with their life from an early age. Others it takes time, maybe even going down the wrong path a time or two. When I entered Clemson in the fall of 2004, I had no idea what career path I should take. After trying several different majors I discovered Sociology. The biggest life change though was not in picking my major but in a job I took my senior year of college. I began working as a bus driver part-time for Clemson Area Transit. From there a passion for helping the public blossomed. Upon graduation, I was promoted to first shift supervisor. Municipal bus transportation is the segment of public transportation I have chosen because it provides a way for me to assist in bringing an economy-stimulating and energy-efficient service to many people.
Day after day, I see the positive impacts of community and university bus transportation. Every gas-powered car taken off the road benefits you, me, and our children exponentially. In my experiences at Clemson Area Transit, I have been able to assist in the development and implementation of innovative ways of reducing the carbon footprint and oil dependency in America.
In difficult economic times such as these, municipal bus transportation provides alternatives for citizens to travel to destinations such as work, class, doctors’ offices, leisure activities, and local businesses. Individuals are given equal opportunities by having an asset such as bus transportation within their community. Local businesses receive loyal patronage from riders of public transit as a direct result of efficient bus transportation routes in their area. These tangible ways of stimulating revenues and providing services for our society is why I have chosen to continue pursuing public transportation as a career.
Through two years in management at Clemson Area Transit, I have been intrigued with learning about public transportation and finding ways to make this service more attractive and efficient. With the goal of becoming a general manager one day, I am pursuing a Master’s Certificate and Degree in Transportation and Urban Systems from North Dakota State University. I believe this program will allow me to network with professional educators in the field while learning up-to-date ideas and philosophies of this rapidly-growing industry.
The sky is the limit in the field of public transportation and this is one of the reasons why I am so intrigued by it. Other long-term goals of mine include rebuilding a struggling transit system and starting a public transit company from scratch. Those are more like dreams; however I know they are attainable, especially with the demonstrated interest and dedication I have to making public transportation more appealing and more economical.
As a past driver and now as a manager in public transportation I am afforded the opportunity to help many people get to work, school, the grocery store and many more places, all of which stimulate our economy. This greatly needed service is changing every day and much research is needed as demands rise with higher fuel prices. Public transportation is a natural extension of my undergraduate degree in Sociology and I hope to pursue and further my passion and objective of taking cars off the road by completing a Master’s in Transportation and Urban Systems.