by RailBus63
James, the best advice I would give any young person who is interested in a particular occupation or industry is to get in on the ground floor. See what really goes on and learn both the good and the bad. I've never worked in railroading, but I'm a public transit fan also and I had an opportunity to work as a bus driver when I was younger. It was a neat job in many ways, but it was stressful at times, I had to work weekends, and it quickly started making hash of my social calendar. Those are the realities in the transportation industry for both skilled labor and many management positions. I took what I learned from that experience, and began taking classes towards a transportation management degree at a local university. My career has since been on the shipper side, but I did the same thing along the way - I started by working as a supervisor at a distribution center and learned how all those shipments actually get moved before I moved up to my current position negotiating logistics contracts.
It's also important to note that while some folks love making their hobby a full-time occupation, many others find it becomes just another job and lose interest. The nice part of my career is that I'm close to the transportation industry, yet I still enjoy going trackside on the weekends to see and photograph trains. I doubt I'd want to do that if I spend 80 hours a week around the railroad, but that's just me.
Keep up the high average at school, and good luck as you make your plans for the future.
Jim D.
It's also important to note that while some folks love making their hobby a full-time occupation, many others find it becomes just another job and lose interest. The nice part of my career is that I'm close to the transportation industry, yet I still enjoy going trackside on the weekends to see and photograph trains. I doubt I'd want to do that if I spend 80 hours a week around the railroad, but that's just me.
Keep up the high average at school, and good luck as you make your plans for the future.
Jim D.