Erin Phillips: Connecting People, Places, and Possibility

We’re an interconnected nationwide team, but we each have our own reasons for being passionate about the work we do. This month, get to know Erin Phillips, a Transportation Analyst in our Boston office.

What’s your background, and how did you end up at Kittelson?

In high school, I was very much on the science track. Most of my friends were taking biology, chemistry, or physics, and I followed a similar path. I loved my science classes, but ultimately decided it was not for me long term. My parents, who both work in fields with strong ties to planning, suggested I look into urban planning. It felt like the perfect intersection (pun intended) of my interests, so I studied geography as an undergraduate, and urban planning for my master’s.

My interest in transportation planning really started during my undergraduate years at the University of Oklahoma. As a student without a car, I felt pretty trapped on campus. I either had to Uber everywhere or hope I could get a ride with someone else. I had never really considered how much transportation affects quality of life until I felt limited by where I could go. When I transitioned into my master’s program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, that impact felt even more profound. I still did not have a car, but the expansive bus system kept me connected throughout the twin cities, and the Amtrak station provided quick and easy access to Chicago.

When I started looking for internships during the first year of my master’s program, I focused on companies with a transportation emphasis, which is how I found Kittelson. I had not heard of them before my search, but learning that Kittelson’s work went beyond transportation engineering and planning solidified my interest. My internship experience in Baltimore was amazing, and I knew I wanted to come back. Now that I am in the Boston office, I am glad to keep working with people I met in Baltimore and across the company.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, you are likely to find me exploring the city with friends and attending local events. We have gotten into a rhythm of trying restaurants we have never been to around Boston. So far, What A Soup in Cambridge has earned the best reviews from our group.

How did you internship experience shape your career directions, and what did it teach you about the work you wanted to do?

I think one of the most important parts of an internship is figuring out whether the type of work a company does is work you actually want to do. I had done internships and part-time research jobs before Kittelson that showed me I was not as interested in those career fields as I thought. Kittelson was my first transportation planning internship, and it gave me the chance to see whether I enjoyed transportation planning in practice as much as I did in theory.

My experience showed me how broad the field is and how many niches exist within it. It also highlighted the overlap between transportation, environmental planning, and land use planning, which are all areas I am interested in. I learned that transportation sits at the intersection of many of my planning interests, and I want to keep exploring the field. I am still new to transportation and still learning about its unique subfields, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my job. Kittelson has given me the opportunity to explore and learn.

What advice would you give to a student who is not sure what they want to do yet?

I think students often hear about the same familiar careers, such as doctor, lawyer, or accountant. But there are so many fields and subfields that are relatively hidden. College is a great place to learn about fields like urban planning that exist but are not always talked about. Ask your professors where their students have gone after graduation.

What helped you discover a path that fits?

In undergrad, I studied geography, and the most common question I got was whether I wanted to be a geography teacher. Our professors introduced us to a wide range of career paths, including GIS, environmental consulting, urban planning, environmental law, and cartography. Taking the time to explore broad fields and degrees that don’t necessarily translate into one job helped me find my path. There is often more than meets the eye.

What have you learned most “on the job” that you could not have learned in school or training?

Communication is probably the clearest answer. The way you communicate changes a lot depending on your audience, and that can be difficult to master. For example, the way I create an engagement board depends on whether the audience is new to the project or already familiar with it. I am still learning, but understanding how to explain the same concept in different ways is vital for a transportation professional.

What about the future of transportation excites you?

Transportation is one of the leading sources of CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases, so it is fascinating to see how transportation systems are evolving to reduce emissions. I have had the opportunity to ride many different systems designed to support that goal, from electric cars and trains to hydrogen buses that emit only water vapor while running. Transportation systems continue to innovate toward cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone, and I am excited to see what comes nest.

Fast Lane Facts:

If you weren’t in transportation planning, what field would you be in?

When I was younger, my dream job was to be a veterinarian. In hindsight, I much prefer being a planner, but veterinarian is still second on my list.

Most productive time of day?

Between 9am and 2pm. The post-lunch tiredness starts to kick in around 3, so I like to schedule meetings then to stay engaged.

Fun fact?

I recently reached a personal travel milestone by visiting my 10th country with a trip to London, England over Memorial Day weekend. I love traveling and exploring new places, so I am excited to see where I end up next.

Morning drink of choice?

I love a latte. Either cold brew, or hot!

One city you’d like to explore for its transportation system?

I have heard great things about Singapore’s transportation system and would love to experience it. Given Singapore’s size, it would be the perfect opportunity to explore an entire city using only public transportation.