Tim Garibay

MUPP 2012

New York City Department of Transportation

Assistant Highway Transportation Specialist, New York

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Can you describe your work and how your planning degree contributes to it?

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I am currently working on street design as part of NYCDOT's Vision Zero initiative, to improve safety for all users of the road - pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and motorists. At UIC my concentration was Urban Transportation, and courses such as Geosptatial Analysis and Visualization, and Complete Streets, as well as gaining GIS and Cartography skills greatly help in my day-to-day work.

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What do you like most about your current job or related work in planning?

 

My favorite part of working in transportation planning is getting to learn the city's streets and neighborhoods. Before moving to New York City, I was a consultant at the Chicago Department of Transportation for five years and still learned about new communities with every project. Discovering neighborhoods whether with maps or fieldwork is exciting!

 

What advice do you wish you had gotten as a MUPP or, conversely, what advice would you give to young planners today?

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Don't be afraid to take risks. Enroll in that class that intimidates you, apply to that job that you think you won't get, move to that city that scares you.

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