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Jeannie Alexander
Jeannie Alexander
01:24

Jeannie Alexander

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago, IL USA

"Utilize tomorrow—and the next day—to take an opportunity to do better than what you did the day before."

Career Roadmap

Jeannie's work combines: Business, Government, and Working with Others

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Day In The Life

Vice President of Rail Station Management

I oversee station cleanliness, rail systems customer service, and our laborers and groundskeepers.

00:56

Day In The Life Of A VP Of Rail Station Management

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

As I progressed to higher positions in my career with the Chicago Transit Authority, I heard a bit of Noise from people who didn't think I was right for the job based on my background. I don't have the typical background for someone working in transportation—I wasn't a bus or train operator. But I don't like to take no for an answer, especially when it comes to bettering myself and my career. I'll take "not right now," but I won't take "no."

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    English Language and Literature, General

    Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

  • Graduate Degree

    Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching

    DePaul University

  • Certification

    Transit Safety and Security Program

    U.S. Department of Transportation

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I grew up thinking that I eventually wanted to become a teacher.

  • 2.

    When I got to college, I tried majoring in accounting, but quickly realized I didn’t enjoy it; I switched my major and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English.

  • 3.

    During college, I got an internship with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which helped me gain full-time employment with CTA after I graduated.

  • 4.

    Starting as a project specialist, I worked my way up through positions like rail maintenance training specialist, administration manager for rail operations, and general manager of rail operations.

  • 5.

    While working as a general manager, I went back to school to earn a master’s degree in adult education—because it’s still one of my goals to incorporate teaching into my career!

  • 6.

    I continued working my way up with the Chicago Transit Authority to my current position now as vice president of rail station management.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    You don't have the right background or experience for these positions.

  • How I responded:

    As I progressed to higher positions in my career with the Chicago Transit Authority, I heard a bit of Noise from people who didn't think I was right for the job based on my background. I don't have the typical background for someone working in transportation—I wasn't a bus or train operator. But I don't like to take no for an answer, especially when it comes to bettering myself and my career. I'll take "not right now," but I won't take "no."

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I did very poorly my freshman year of college and my grades really suffered. I was fortunate to have a mentor that recommended I seek help and resources from the school. Once I did that, my grades improved, I joined activities, and I found success.