From Professional to Personal: Two USC Alumnae Share Their Transportation Journeys

On September 18, 2026, USC ITE had the opportunity to speak with Katy Thorpe and Amanda Heinke, two USC alumnae with extensive experience in the transportation industry. In collaboration with WTS-Los Angeles, USC ITE hosted a panel where Katy and Amanda shared their professional journeys, challenges they have faced, career progression, and personal and professional advice for aspiring transportation professionals.

Katy is a Principal Engineer with Metrolink, managing capital and third-party construction projects. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2012 and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a Transportation Engineering emphasis in 2013. Prior to working with Metrolink, Katy has worked with BNSF Railway. Her experience includes projects such as the San Bernardino Line and Redlands Passenger Rail Project.

Amanda is returning to the transportation field after taking a six-year break to raise her family. She earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a Transportation Engineering emphasis in 2009. Her background includes over 10 years of experience in transportation planning and consulting at AECOM, Fehr & Peers, and Vicus. Amanda has contributed to transportation projects including large-scale environmental studies for light rail projects as well as traffic studies for private developments.

During the panel, Katy and Amanda shared their interests outside of transportation, discussed how they found their way into the industry, and reflected on their educational backgrounds and how those experiences prepared them for challenges at work. One highlight from the panel was their emphasis on taking care of one’s mental health. Both Katy and Amanda shared challenges they experienced in stressful work environments and how they dealt with them.

Amanda shared a memorable point: “Life is what you make of it, and if a work environment is bringing you down, you can make a change and find what works better for your life.” She mentioned that it is never too late to make a change or pivot to another path. She also encouraged students to lean on friends and seek support during challenging times. 

Another memorable piece of advice came from Katy. When asked what helped her stand out in her career, Katy advised students to communicate with their supervisors persistently and constructively, whether their workload is too small and they want to take on more, or their workload has become too large. She explained that it helped her not to limit herself to what she was assigned, but instead to ask about other projects and offer her help to supervisors.

Connecting with WTS-Los Angeles

USC ITE had a great time connecting with Katy Thorpe, Amanda Heinke, and WTS-LA. We are grateful for their guidance and willingness to share their personal and professional experiences as women in transportation engineering. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with WTS-LA and creating more opportunities for USC students to connect with transportation professionals.