GrandTrunkWesternNot exactly understanding what you mean by a lock.
If you mean active involvement, the NRHS doesn't really touch my state.
You might want to register on RyPN, and ask the preservationists there about their opinions on the way the NRHS has been run, and the worth of RailCamp to them. As there are timeless threads over there about 'enlisting youthful participation' it would be a valuable resource... if you can get over the outsized sense of entitlement. Many of them are genuine professionals over there, as opposed to the likely grumpy old men in NRHS, and should be addressed with respect until conclusively demonstrated otherwise.
Overmod No NRHS chapters in MICHIGAN? Or Chicago, which is right around the corner from it? [N.B.: you can tell from this that I have little to do with the NRHS or its organized chapters, and expect to keep it that way.]
No NRHS chapters in MICHIGAN? Or Chicago, which is right around the corner from it? [N.B.: you can tell from this that I have little to do with the NRHS or its organized chapters, and expect to keep it that way.]
I phrased that weird. I meant that the NRHS doesn't really do anything with my state (Michigan). There was a chapter here but it got disbanded, and the NRHS just kinda leaves us alone. Which is pretty disappointing, there's some real gems here.
Maybe you should update your application and get it ready to send off the first day they accept them next year.
Why not write them a nice polite letter asking them what they are looking for in candidates and what would make you competitive? Nobody here is a member of the selection committee so our answers, while well intentioned and offering good advice in general, are just our guesses.
BEAUSABREWhy not write them a nice polite letter asking them what they are looking for in candidates and what would make you competitive?
That would be a good idea, but I have serious doubts it would go anywhere. Based off my attempt to contact the NRHS at their primary address (when my message was ignored) I doubt anything would happen. I have found a local organization I think I can get involved in, and I will most likely go to RyPN, so that should be of help.
Overmod BEAUSABRE Why not write them a nice polite letter asking them what they are looking for in candidates and what would make you competitive? Perhaps even better, take a leaf from those 'resume mills' and write the letter asking for advice on what skills and attitudes are most highly valued by the railroad industry when hiring -- a sort of 'mentorship request' to the rail equivalent of SCORES, as it were. Do your research first: get the specific names of people at NHRS, and address your letter specifically to them... with a request that they forward it on to anyone they know who can better advise you.
BEAUSABRE Why not write them a nice polite letter asking them what they are looking for in candidates and what would make you competitive?
Perhaps even better, take a leaf from those 'resume mills' and write the letter asking for advice on what skills and attitudes are most highly valued by the railroad industry when hiring -- a sort of 'mentorship request' to the rail equivalent of SCORES, as it were. Do your research first: get the specific names of people at NHRS, and address your letter specifically to them... with a request that they forward it on to anyone they know who can better advise you.
I think that might be what does the trick. I'll try this out and see what happens.
Something perhaps not to be missed -- including an almost-priceless ability to start networking within the industry at the right levels -- is the Railway Age virtual conference for "young professionals". Take careful notes, ask thoughtful questions... perhaps get positive name recognition.
But for heaven's sake, when they say it begins at 1:00 but the Webcast player opens at 12:30 - BE ON AT 12:30.
https://www.railwayage.com/railway-age-young-professionals23/
In addition to the sage advice within this thread ..
Make sure your email address and avatar are professional.
The Internet lives forever, be careful what you post.
Remember sometimes the selection process is sometimes as simple as first come first served.
Early submission shows enthusiasm. It helped my children when applying to college and recently with internships. They had a classmate hesitate on accepting and they withdrew the offer.
rdamonMake sure your email address and avatar are professional.
Check.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
rdamon In addition to the sage advice within this thread .. Make sure your email address and avatar are professional. The Internet lives forever, be careful what you post. Remember sometimes the selection process is sometimes as simple as first come first served. Early submission shows enthusiasm. It helped my children when applying to college and recently with internships. They had a classmate hesitate on accepting and they withdrew the offer.
As far as the email/social media thing goes I'm not worried about that. My email is my name, my email avatar is a graphic of a locomotive a local historical society tried to save a few years back. As far as social media goes, I only have YouTube, where I have only posted 2 videos, both of which are railroad related and incapable of being perceived as offensive.
Make sure your email address and avatar are professional - ie: get rid of the "stupid" tag line
If I were 20 years younger, I'd have all the nifty social media things kids get to make use of. Twitter (maybe not so much anymore), youtube channnels, twitch streams, instagrams, discord servers, telegrams, etc etc (And a whole bunch of other things this old guy doesn't even know about).
I'm jealous of the social networking and outreach those just starting out get to have at their fingertips.
zugmannIf I were 20 years younger, I'd have all the nifty social media things kids get to make use of. Twitter (maybe not so much anymore), youtube channnels, twitch streams, instagrams, discord servers, telegrams, etc etc (And a whole bunch of other things this old guy doesn't even know about).
At the same time, social skills and personal interactions are suffering. (From a retired long-time school principal.)
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
York1At the same time, social skills and personal interactions are suffering. (From a retired long-time school principal.)
Those were overrated to begin with.
BEAUSABRE Make sure your email address and avatar are professional - ie: get rid of the "stupid" tag line
I second this advice. It gives the impression that you might be kinda hard to get along with.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
I'm more amazed someone under the age of 30 watches (presumbly) The West Wing.
zugmann York1 At the same time, social skills and personal interactions are suffering. (From a retired long-time school principal.) Those were overrated to begin with.
York1 At the same time, social skills and personal interactions are suffering. (From a retired long-time school principal.)
I agree. My life would have been much more pleasant if students had not had so much social interaction -- in school and out of school.
York1I agree. My life would have been much more pleasant if students had not had so much social interaction -- in school and out of school.
My school life would have been so much more pleasant if the prinicipal cared for any interactions other than the ones between the crappy sports teams and the school budget.
But we're both dinosaurs. The next generation has so much more access to information from so many more people. Organizations like the NRHS are just going to fade away more and more.
zugmann York1 I agree. My life would have been much more pleasant if students had not had so much social interaction -- in school and out of school. My school life would have been so much more pleasant if the prinicipal cared for any interactions other than the ones between the crappy sports teams and the school budget. But we're both dinosaurs. The next generation has so much more access to information from so many more people. Organizations like the NRHS are just going to fade away more and more.
York1 I agree. My life would have been much more pleasant if students had not had so much social interaction -- in school and out of school.
zugmann I'm more amazed someone under the age of 30 watches (presumbly) The West Wing.
Favorite show, followed closely by House.
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