Los Angeles Metro Employee Reviews about "entry level"

Pros

As a former Entry Level Trainee, the company gave me the opportunity to get exposure to construction management for one of the light rail systems. I believe I landed in the best department within the company as an engineer at LA Metro. I was fortunate to have bosses who did their homework and understood how the ELTP works. They also cared to give the young professionals exposure to the field activities and meetings with the contractor. The company have made a lot of good changes for the Entry Level Trainee Program; although, there is much more to improve on. Some of the perks that they added for the ELT's are: CalPERS, 401k, skill-learning workshops, and workshops to discuss on how to improve the program. The program offers various workshops which includes training for professional development like resume writing and creating your LinkedIn account, etc. The Entry Level Trainee Program gives a great opportunity for young gives a great opportunity for young gives a grevel Trainee Program gives a grevel Trainee Program gives a great opportunity for young professionals to get into the transportation industry. Even though the program is 2 years, you will gain valuable experience in which you will be able to move on to different industries (if that is your intention). Another thing to note is that Metro has a lot of older workers so this program is encouraging to hire more young professionals. I was one of the ELT's that got hired into a permanent position after my program ended.

Cons

I mentioned before that the ELTP runs for 2 years so there is a risk that you will be taking -- you are not guaranteed a spot after the program ends. Also, based on my discussion with other ELT's, some hiring managers end up picking up young professionals without knowing much of the program which is something to consider about. However, the program are making changes like having mandatory workshops for the hiring managers to show the goal of the ELTP and that is to train and hire young professionals. The program sounds scary but with the experience that you will be obtaining I think it is worth the shot. I spoke with various former ELT's who ended up moving to different companies; their experience in Metro was valuable. And for those who are willing to the risk to get into the ELTP, I would recommend to have various follow-ups with your supervisor. Especially around the 1-year mark. I highly recommend to have a talk with your supervisor about your future with the company. If things do not look promising, then you will have to start looking for another job prior to the program ending. Note that you will not have a contract so you can leave whenever you want although I would not suggest this as the company is investing in you. The last thing to add to this wordy section, as an ELT you will not have all of the benefits compared to a permanent employee. Under the ELTP, dental, vacation time and holiday pay is not covered (and you cannot use your sick hours for the holidays). You will get the bus badge perk and 401k which is great.

Pros

Average salary, but it was a temporary position

Cons

Made to do three other positions as a temporary employee for low pay. This was an entry level role yet I was under a lot of stress doing the work of a Sr. Administrative Analyst. Lacked proper training by manager. Did not receive help most of the time or any through explanations or training. Regularly snapped at by my higher ups for not knowing things that no new employee would know.

Pros

Valuable work experience, great networking opportunities within transportation planning, enjoyed lots of my coworkers

Cons

Most entry-level positions in countywide planning were part-time with no benefits or full-time but with extremely minimal benefits (no vacation hours, only health insurance and minimum sick hours, both as required by law). Many interns trying to come on as full-time or those seeking employment after completing grad school (not just college, but Master's Degrees) struggle to move up into permanent full-time positions. Job-seekers need non-intern work experience elsewhere, hence the Metro adage that to get promoted at Metro, you need to leave Metro (and someday come back at a higher pay grade). 'As-Needed' or part-time hours only count as experience *per hour*, ie 3 years of part-time work would only count as 2 years of employment when it comes to evaluating qualifications for promotion or employment above an entry-level position. Metro HR will usually give you the benefit of the doubt and count part-time work elsewhere as if it were full-time if it isn't specified as part-time on your resume (but when they can see your Metro employment status, they only count it as hours worked). No OT paid for part-time employees, even if you work, say, a 10-hour day. Job duties and description barely differ between Planners or Planning Managers and the job title is only dependent on years of experience. So, many planners end up doing work well above their pay grade because of this flexibility. Even 'entry level trainees' often do very little 'training' and lots of work on par with planners. This does lead to great work experience that will fill up your resume and might get you a job anywhere else, however, those lower on the totem pole often experience lower morale while obtaining said experience. Once you're in as a higher-paid 'Transportation Planning Manager', however, people seem to be in for life. More people get promoted to higher levels of Manager than not, as well. It is no surprise that there are more 'Planning Managers' than 'Planners', by something like 50%, at least.

Pros

Many talented people to learn from and a great place to kick start a career from the 'Entry Level Trainee Position'.

Cons

Difficult to get work done. Silos keep departments from working together, they almost seem to distrust/hate each other. Not very much fun to be had in the agency.