by WesternNation
Good afternoon, everyone.
My (user)name is WesternNation. Despite the name, I live in Michigan. I've been interested in railroading for some time now and I've decided that I want to go into a career in the rail industry.
I am currently studying Supply Chain Management/Logistics at Western Michigan University and I'm trying to research my options for careers as well as internships and where to possibly start my journey. My goal is to become a trainmaster or other sort of "field management" within the company, however, I've done enough research to know that direct-hiring out of college as a TM isn't a bright idea. The information I've seen so far indicates that the TMs that come straight from college don't know jack about how the railroad really works and aren't exactly respected. I'd rather earn the respect of my coworkers before going into management by doing the same job and going through the same crap with them and gaining seniority before moving up rather than going directly in.
Right now, I'm a "first-year sophomore" (first year in college but enough credits to be a sophomore) and I've applied to BNSF and CN for their transportation internships (which are essentially job shadowing a trainmaster, but paid). CN sat on my application for about 6 months and then denied my application the day after I inquired about any updates. BNSF requested an interview (recording myself answering questions), sat on it for four months, then when I inquired (around the same time I inquired for CN) they also rejected it the day after. Not the best start, but I'm hoping it was my age and relative lack of SCM experience and not a sign of how things are going to be in the future.
My questions are:
Who should I be looking at for a potential career? I've always liked the sound of Amtrak, but I feel that I may have more use for my degree in the freight sector.
What is the hiring process like? Should I be concerned that I was rejected for internships?
Am I making the right choice? Is a railroad career worth it?
I know that a position a conductor/engineer is far from a cakewalk, and I fully embrace that fact. 24/7/365, rain, snow, or shine. Mama didn't raise no pansy.
If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my essay.
-WN
My (user)name is WesternNation. Despite the name, I live in Michigan. I've been interested in railroading for some time now and I've decided that I want to go into a career in the rail industry.
I am currently studying Supply Chain Management/Logistics at Western Michigan University and I'm trying to research my options for careers as well as internships and where to possibly start my journey. My goal is to become a trainmaster or other sort of "field management" within the company, however, I've done enough research to know that direct-hiring out of college as a TM isn't a bright idea. The information I've seen so far indicates that the TMs that come straight from college don't know jack about how the railroad really works and aren't exactly respected. I'd rather earn the respect of my coworkers before going into management by doing the same job and going through the same crap with them and gaining seniority before moving up rather than going directly in.
Right now, I'm a "first-year sophomore" (first year in college but enough credits to be a sophomore) and I've applied to BNSF and CN for their transportation internships (which are essentially job shadowing a trainmaster, but paid). CN sat on my application for about 6 months and then denied my application the day after I inquired about any updates. BNSF requested an interview (recording myself answering questions), sat on it for four months, then when I inquired (around the same time I inquired for CN) they also rejected it the day after. Not the best start, but I'm hoping it was my age and relative lack of SCM experience and not a sign of how things are going to be in the future.
My questions are:
Who should I be looking at for a potential career? I've always liked the sound of Amtrak, but I feel that I may have more use for my degree in the freight sector.
What is the hiring process like? Should I be concerned that I was rejected for internships?
Am I making the right choice? Is a railroad career worth it?
I know that a position a conductor/engineer is far from a cakewalk, and I fully embrace that fact. 24/7/365, rain, snow, or shine. Mama didn't raise no pansy.
If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my essay.
-WN