Jade Ma: From Intern to Impact

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 Jade Ma, transportation analyst in our Boston, MA office.

What’s your background and how did you become a transportation professional?

My earliest relationship and interest in transportation was through traveling with my grandma. Throughout my early childhood in the suburbs of Arkansas, I spent most of my time with my grandma who didn’t know how to drive, so we walked or biked most places, including some fun dirt bike rides to and from school every day. (We were way ahead of the micromobility trend!) Ever since middle school, I’ve had to use cars to get anywhere, and I’ve never stopped complaining about it. That was the start of my personal mission for more active transportation options.

I studied Architecture and Urban Studies in college, and I volunteered with the local community land trust and coordinated with local artists on placemaking and empowerment projects at the youth center. I became invested in the revitalization initiative happening in the local community downtown and I attended public engagement meetings and tried to advocate for safer and more robust pedestrian and bicyclist facilities on downtown Main Street. Through these experiences, I became more interested in urban design and transportation planning and viewed transportation as a crucial piece to the placemaking, community-building, and general livability of every town and city.

I decided to explore my growing passion through an internship at Kittelson the summer after my senior year. I interned in the Boston office and the experience changed the trajectory of my career. After the summer internship ended, I stayed on full-time continuing to work on all the projects I began during my internship and explore new project types. Over the last year, I’ve found niche ways to apply 3D modeling and graphic design skills from my architecture background to contribute to projects and I’ve continued being active in public engagement (though now I’m on the other side of it). I love the process of tackling new challenges and learning new skills through every project I take on.

Outside of work, I love to walk. Walking around the city in nice weather with some good music and people-watching is the best post-work activity. I also try to get outdoors and hike and climb with friends as much as I can. During the long winters, I’m in full art-making mode. I love to create—from woodworking and marble carving to printmaking and crocheting—I’ve always got a creative pursuit on hand.

What was your experience like as a Kittelson intern? Do you have advice for current or future interns?

My experience as an intern was extremely impactful and helped guide my career path today. Like most young adults facing graduation, I had a lot of uncertainty about my future career and how to find and pursue work I was passionate about. I applied for the internship at Kittelson with very limited knowledge of the transportation planning world, with simply my curiosity to guide me. I had no idea it would become something I’d enjoy doing so much and feel so fulfilled by. I am very grateful for the opportunity to explore the industry, learn from dedicated mentors and other professionals at the firm, contribute to a wide variety of projects, and foster a real sense of excitement for the world of transportation and what I can add to it. If I had not explored this spark of interest, I genuinely don’t know where I would be in my career. The experience not only set me on the path of transportation, but also set me up for a very fulfilling career.

My advice to current and future interns is basic, but really true: make the most of it all! Kittelson has a very robust internship program set up that can at times feel overwhelming, but the summer goes quickly. Every career crash course session you have, every person you meet, every little analyst task you do—they’re all geared towards your growth and success. Make sure you are taking the time to not only do the work, but reflect on how you felt about it: what aspects did you enjoy or dislike, what questions and curiosities did it inspire, and how can it be relevant to you in the future? Taking the time to let all these action-packed summer experiences sink in is crucial to getting all the benefits of the program. Also, reach out to people! Be social! Whether it be with people in your office or people around the firm or your fellow interns, it is so crucial to start building your network now and create those connections that will make the summer more fun and impactful.

What project(s) are you currently working on that you find particularly interesting or exciting?

The flashiest, most fun project I’m working on at the moment is a bicycle master plan update we are working on for a country in the Middle East. It is such an interesting challenge to work internationally and to try and adapt bicycle and pedestrian design principles and provide recommendations for such a different context, climate, and culture. It has really helped me to push my writing skills and flex my foundational knowledge.

Another type of project I have found very rewarding is safety action plans. We just finished one locally for the city of Brockton, MA and I am currently still working on a safety action plan in the city of Kalispell, MT. I found these to be so rewarding as I conducted a lot of the safety analysis and helped inform the infrastructure recommendations for project proposals to address those crash hot spots and gaps in safety. In Brockton, I participated heavily in the field reviews and public engagement and found it deeply impactful to recognize and acknowledge the needs of a community and work to address them and contribute to a safer and more connected urban environment.

As an advocate for active transportation, pedestrian safety, and accessibility, how do you plan to contribute to the safety and efficiency of transportation systems?

I try to incorporate active transportation, safety, and accessibility in every project I take on. I am a member of APBP and YPT and also continue to be an active advocate in my local community at public meetings and through voting in bicycle advocates onto city council.

What excites you most about the future of transportation?

I’m excited about the growing recognition and investment in robust and well-connected transportation systems that are key to connected communities. Especially as transportation planning and highways have historically been a divider of communities (particularly disadvantaged, low-income, and communities of color) it has been great to see initiatives to address those disparities in disadvantaged communities and work on projects that look to reconnect and reinvest. I’m also excited to see the US—on federal and local levels—investing more and more in safety and active transportation infrastructure across the county, and I can’t wait to see the impacts these projects have in the future.