Northeastern in Toronto Student Drives Data-Driven Changes in TTC’s Emergency Management
Weirui Wang will never forget Taylor Swift’s concerts in Toronto. But it isn’t because she was in the audience singing along to the pop star’s hits. Instead, as an Emergency Management Program Analyst at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the Northeastern University co-op student was part of a multidisciplinary team that worked to keep concertgoers safe. This was just one memorable aspect of Wang’s four-month placement, which put theory into practice, enabled her to gain new skills, and helped to shape a clear vision for her future career.
“The experience solidified my already strong interest in data analyst positions,” says Wang, who is completing the Master of Professional Studies in Analytics program at Northeastern’s Toronto campus. “The university does a great job of ensuring that their industry partners are reputable companies that we can gain a lot from. ”
A Masterclass in Networking
After taking a data analysis course during her Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies, Wang developed an interest in further education. A friend recommended the Master’s in Analytics program at Northeastern University in Toronto, which sparked her curiosity. The curriculum and the school’s focus on experiential learning cemented her decision to enroll. Once in the program, Wang concentrated on securing a meaningful co-op.
“Network, network, network,” she advises students interested in co-op placements. “Don’t give up any chances to connect with people because you never know where those connections will lead. The school provides us with various opportunities to network with companies, and I also networked with alumni and students who had completed their co-ops.”
So, when Northeastern University in Toronto offered students the chance to tour the TTC’s Hillcrest complex, its largest maintenance facility, Wang didn’t hesitate to sign up. During the tour, she made it a point to engage with the TTC team facilitating the tour, ask questions, and chat with a co-op student.
“Not long after the tour, I saw the TTC Emergency Management Program Analyst co-op posted on NUworks,” says Wang of the university’s internal platform for co-ops, full-time jobs, and internships.
“I was like, ‘I was just there! There is my chance.’ I submitted my resume, and when I received the interview invitation, my co-op advisor helped me review the job description and determine the questions I may be asked. It was also helpful to speak to an alum who worked at the TTC.”
Real-World Impact and Career Growth in Analytics
Leveraging networking and Northeastern’s comprehensive co-op support and resources proved beneficial. During her co-op, Wang supported the TTC’s Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) process. She contributed to data analysis projects focusing on bus fires, track-level fires, and active attacker incidents. Wang also participated in tabletop and functional exercises, and she took part in track-level training.
For instance, Wang was responsible for analyzing all the fires in TTC bus stations over the past 20 years to support an evaluation of fire equipment to determine whether it needed replacement. She says such opportunities enabled her to apply the skills she acquired at Northeastern while developing new abilities.
“Often in my role, there was a lot of data to clean, and I was very confident in doing that because it was something I had learned in school,” she says. “The team also appreciated the data visualizations I created for results as they provided them with clear insights.
“At the same time, I gained technical skills that expanded my understanding of Excel and tools like Microsoft Visio. My director was an excellent communicator. He always gave us all the details we needed and not only explained our task but also why we were doing it. That helped me to improve my communication skills.”
Wang even continued to utilize her networking skills, this time to contribute to cross-functional teams. As she worked with the emergency management and fire safety team, Wang built connections with other TTC departments, including the research team and the constable team. Familiarizing herself with the work of these and other teams, Wang says, made it easier to gather information relevant to her projects.
It was also a way for her to look ahead. “The more you talk to people, the more they may remember you for future opportunities,” she says. “The graduate co-op experience is about expanding your knowledge and contributing, but it’s also about the relationships you build. I’m grateful for the friendships I made and the appreciation I gained for the complexity of transit services that impact our daily lives. The TTC is a great place to work.”
By Izabela Shubair