By  Katie Jagodka, USC BA/BS 2016

Recently graduated with a B.S. in Policy, Planning and Development from the Price School, University of Southern California in December 2015, Fred Chang now spends his days as a Transportation Planner at Iteris, Inc. in downtown Los Angeles.

On an average week, Chang divides his time between four to five different transportation projects. One of the major projects on which he is currently working is the Alameda County 2016 Level-of-Service Monitoring Study of the Bay Area. Chang is currently assisting with data analytics tasks needed to undertake this countywide congestion management plan. In his time at Iteris, he has also contributed to a study of the Metro Orange Line which allowed him to examine its efficiency through fieldwork and travel data analysis. “What I learned in school gave me the big picture of planning, but a lot of I am doing at work now, I learned on the job,” he noted.

While Chang enjoys his new career in transportation, he did not always know what he wanted to do. Growing up in the large cities of Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing, Chang was always interested in city composition, specifically in the mobility of people across a metropolis of a vast scale. He explained, “While some cities are very easy to get around, others are less accessible. It’s fascinating how cities function and how they make you feel.” He decided to pursue a degree at the Price School of Public Policy for its multidisciplinary approach to urban planning.   

Chang still wasn’t sure about his career trajectory as a junior in college. However, his experience on a METRANS field trip to a transit facility sparked his interest in transportation. In fact, he met his current employer there. “I really want to thank METRANS,” he shared. “I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them.” Chang also stressed the importance of networking. “You have to keep meeting and talking to professionals. That is the only way you can find out what you want/don’t want to do as a career. If you don’t know yet, keep exploring, and don’t settle easily,” he emphasized.

In his free time, Chang keeps up his photography hobby. With his Nikon DSLR, he continually seeks out new vantage points in the city to capture the next big shot. 

Katie Jagodka

Katie is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing a dual Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Science in Policy, Planning and Development. Her interests include community development, transportation technology, and race and ethnicity.