Longtime MnLTAP editor Pamela Snopl retired in July after more than 35 years with the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS), which houses MnLTAP. During her tenure, Pam launched the Exchange print newsletter and produced many other publications for MnLTAP and CTS, including the Catalyst newsletter.
“It’s hard to imagine either CTS or MnLTAP without Pam at the helm of our flagship publications,” says Gina Baas, CTS deputy director. “She has seen many changes in the transportation industry and in the strategies we’ve used to tell our research, training, and technology transfer stories. Through it all, Pam has used her expertise to ensure key messages were relayed in an impactful and understandable way, always keeping the user of the information in mind. We are grateful to her for sharing her talents with us for so many years and wish her the very best in this next chapter. Go Twins!"
Below, Pam shares her farewell thoughts. Thank you, Pam!
One of my favorite projects lately has been collecting stories from new Roads Scholars about their career paths. I love the thoughtful, inspiring, and sometimes humorous answers they provide. So I thought I’d adapt the questions for my farewell—and interview myself, so to speak!
How did you get interested in transportation?
Purely by chance. When I began working for CTS and then later for MnLTAP, I honestly didn’t know what transportation was all about. Planes, trains, and automobiles, sure. But I learned it’s so much more: economic growth, pedestrian and bike safety, access to rural health care, clean water…even turtle crossings.
What are your favorite accomplishments?
The first thing that comes to mind is the sheer volume of output. I’ve edited the Exchange since 1993, so 30 years x 4 issues x maybe 4,000 words/issue = way too many words to count, and that’s just one publication. No wonder my eyes need to retire!
When I was hired, CTS was a small operation and MnLTAP didn’t exist. As the center expanded, I helped build a top-notch communications team to meet our growing needs. It’s been a pleasure to work with so many talented people, and I’m pleased to pass the baton to my successors.
What excited you about working at CTS and MnLTAP?
There was always something new to learn. Even though I stayed in the same organization, the programs and topics I covered could be different on any given day. And the march of technology was endless—I never guessed I’d be writing about drones or automated vehicles, for example. Sometimes I’d pause and realize a topic was interesting to me personally, and there I was, getting paid to write about it to boot.
How has your job changed over the years?
Well, back in the day we didn’t use smartphones, email, or websites, so there’s that. I remember thinking how cool it was when fax machines came out. Of course, some things never changed: Whether print or online, our aim was to inform readers and tell a good story.
What can other people learn from your path?
I was the first in my immediate family to go to college. I was a fish out of water and didn’t know a thing about research or the academic world—and here I am, 37-plus years at the U of M. I didn’t know what my career path would be, but then I looked back and realized I was always on it.
Let me also put in a plug for liberal arts degrees. While transportation involves many engineering disciplines, expertise is also needed in areas such as training, management, policy, design, and, of course, communications.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I hope my work provided information that others could use to improve transportation—in all its many facets—and serve the public good.
How do you like to spend your free time?
No surprises: I love to read and do crossword puzzles and word games, preferably with my cats nearby. So, quite a bit different from our adventurous Roads Scholars! But I also love the outdoors: walking, biking—just absorbing the beauty of nature.
What’s next?
A little freelancing, a little volunteering. Target Field day games during the week. And I’m so excited I’ll have more time to read just for fun!