It depends on when you apply and to which railroads. I applied in 1981. I was rejected because I didn't have 20/20 uncorrected vision (i.e. I wear glasses) and I didn't have any relatives on any of the railroads that I applied at. I don't know what the qualifications are now...although I've read they now allow glasses. Not sure if having a relative on the railroad helps now. I don't think anyone checks HS grades... hiring people just don't have the time for that.. so long as you can come up with a HS diploma you should be good to go.
Do the railroads really look at/care about high school grades? What do they mainly look for when they are hiring?
Trainfan25 I do realize that the railroad isn't all fun and games. I see alot of people saying the railroad isn't a place for people who love trains. To me thats like saying don't be a veterinarian if you love animals. I think that if you can do your job responsibly and safely and have a liking for trains you can be successful.
I do realize that the railroad isn't all fun and games. I see alot of people saying the railroad isn't a place for people who love trains. To me thats like saying don't be a veterinarian if you love animals. I think that if you can do your job responsibly and safely and have a liking for trains you can be successful.
Many people out here like trains. And they are successful. But it's like any other job - there's many bad days for the good ones. Riding around in trains can be fun, but switching out a yard full of cars at night in a 33 degree rain? Not so much so.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
John WR Finally, there will be people who will warn you that your have a romanticized idea of railroading; it is not what you think it is and ultimatedly you will be disappointed and turn away. Ignore them.
Finally, there will be people who will warn you that your have a romanticized idea of railroading; it is not what you think it is and ultimatedly you will be disappointed and turn away. Ignore them.
Why? On this thread we have railroaders (that are interested in railroads) giving this young man some advice. Why should he ignore it? I think the advice he gets from the railroaders on here would be worth more than a railroad club or riding Amtrak.
One of the only other pieces of advice to offer is be aware of your state's financial aid policies (if you need it). In Pennsylvania, if you didn't go to school in the fall immediately following your high school graduation, you would lose the opportunity for a lot of financial aid. Granted (heh) with all the turmoil in the country, financial aid and loans are getting harder to get, but still... something to think about. I know people always say "you can go back to school later". Well, that is true, but it isn't as easy as people make it sound.
You are considering working for the railroad as an alternative to college and if you could get a railroad job after high school you would do that instead of going to college. That suggests you have a real passion for railroads. At your age it is unusual to have a passion for any kind of life's work. The issue is how do you use your passion when you are not old enough to actually work for the railroad.
Right now you should try to involve yourself in railroad related activities which you can do at your age. Any railroad related activity will be a good thing because as you get involved you will meet other people with similar interests and some will have real experience.
Some places have railroad museums or railroad related projects such as restoring an old station. You can volunteer and participate in their activities.
Do any railroad companies near by offer summer internships? You are not paid or only paid a small stipend but you gain experience and inside knowledge of how railroads work.
I already mentioned pursuing the history of railroads, especially local railroads.
If any of your classmates share your interest you might try to start a railroad club at school.
Do you live near an Amtrak stop? If so you might check with Amtrak for internships. Some Federal Government Agencies offer a "Stay in School" program. It is summer work for students. You can check the Amtrak website for opportunities. Also, your Senator and Member of Congress have people who work with constituent services. They may be able to assist you in learning about opportunities with Amtrak.
Finally, there will be people who will warn you that your have a romanticized idea of railroading; it is not what you think it is and ultimatedly you will be disappointed and turn away. Ignore them. Part of growing up is learning what we do not want as well as what we do want. If you try to be involved with railroads and latter change your mind that can be as valuable as making them your life's work. The important thing is setting a goal (as you have) and following it for a while. Maybe your interests will change; if so you will change with them. But follow your bliss.
PS. Is there any chance you could simply try riding trains? If you check the Amtrak website you will learn how to get a student id card that will get you a small reduction in fares. Also, Amtrak has specials. You are in school so you have some vacations. You can start with short trips--to the next station down the line--and come back.
Sadly many employers use education simply as a screening tool...in tough economic times everyone wants a college degree regardless of the actual requirements of the job...its simply a way to cut down the number of applicants. So from that standpoint the college degree is a good idea. However, keep in mind that a college degree depreciates in value over time, unless you've actually worked in your field of study and have kept up with it.
First, wait until you are 18 to answer this question for yourself. But don't narrow your sights on what you are going to do on your 18th birthday or the day after you graduate from high school now. You might want to talk with a few engineers or other railroad people first. But I feel they are often jaded by how they've been handled. Also, I've known those who have been fascinated by trains and railroading who do go to work for the railroad but quickly leave because it is not the glamorous job it appears to be, or just not what they thought. To many it is just a job, very few today dedicate themselves to careers in virtually anything. Sometimes one gets the job but the company dissapears out from underthem, etc. So the best advice is to be the best prepared for anything. Really, the more educated you can get the more prepared for anything you''ll be. There are so many curves, dead ends, brick walls and narrow canyons to travel, if you don't know how to handle them you'll be nowhere. Persue plan A, but also have 25 more back up plans because you never know what is going to happen next.
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Trainfan25 Should I atleast try to apply at 18 before worrying about college
Should I atleast try to apply at 18 before worrying about college
You have to be 18 to work for the railroad. But if you are going to go to college, then you have to apply really early in your senior year for most places. If you get accepted to college, then land a railroad job, then you get to choose what you want to do.
But seriously, you have plenty of time to think about this. A lot can happen in 3 years. The railroads may still be hiring like crazy, or not. Way too early to tell.
The cool thing with the railroad is that there are people from all different backgrounds working here. From guys with advanced degrees and retired from their first career field to people right out of high school.
PS. If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to take the PSAT in 10th grade. Make sure you do, and talk to your guidance counselor (hopefully you have a decent one. Mine sucked.)
I would think that some practical experience working with heavy equipment might be better than simply spending four years in college. And college is expensive...if you're going to spend THAT much (or mom and dad are) then you should be lining your self up for something that pays well into the six figures... What would you study in college...engineering?..art history? You'd be better off going to a vocational school...learn to run and/or fix excavators (a six week course)...at least then you gain some experience with heavy equipment, and transitioning to rail might come easier. I'm not down on college...I went to college and don't regret it.. But college is a big investment to make in both time and money.... alot of art history and science majors drive trucks (I know...I employ some of them).... I just don't see the point of education overkill unless you can afford the luxury of taking four years out of your life just to learn for the sake of learning.
It's been said here (and many other places) that the second best day in a railroader's life is the day (s)he get's hired.
The best day is the day they leave the railroad.
That said - I recently attended a talk by a now-retired fire chief (and I'm reading his book now). One comment he made (and many others have made as well) falls into line with what BaltACD just posted:
"I can't believe they pay me to do this!" That's the kind of job to have. If you find it in the railroad, great. Just don't be a "one trick pony." Gain a well-rounded education and you can't go wrong. Many folks find math to be a bugaboo for them - or some other subject. Do the best you can in each and you'll have no regrets. I failed one marking period of typing in HS (at the time intended mostly for girls headed for the secretarial pool and an entire school year long). It's probably the most valuable thing I learned there.
That's the kind of job to have. If you find it in the railroad, great.
Just don't be a "one trick pony." Gain a well-rounded education and you can't go wrong. Many folks find math to be a bugaboo for them - or some other subject. Do the best you can in each and you'll have no regrets.
I failed one marking period of typing in HS (at the time intended mostly for girls headed for the secretarial pool and an entire school year long). It's probably the most valuable thing I learned there.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Firelock76 Trainfan25 Yes I'm in the 10th grade and I will think more about this and talk to my counselor. Are there anymore suggestions you guys can give me? Thanks Sir Winston said "Do what you like, but LIKE what you do!" Good luck lad!
Trainfan25 Yes I'm in the 10th grade and I will think more about this and talk to my counselor. Are there anymore suggestions you guys can give me? Thanks
Yes I'm in the 10th grade and I will think more about this and talk to my counselor. Are there anymore suggestions you guys can give me?
Thanks
Sir Winston said "Do what you like, but LIKE what you do!"
Good luck lad!
If you like what you do - you will never work a day in your life!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I wasn't going to sound off on this, everyone else has covered it pretty well, but I will say this:
If you're going to be successful in life find something to do that's useful, really useful to others. Keep that in mind and you won't go wrong.
And remember, you've only lived 15 years out of a probable lifespan of 75 to 85 years, you've still got plenty of time to figure out what you want to do. And remember Winston Churchill's advice to his children on a career choice. Sir Winston said "Do what you like, but LIKE what you do!"
I absolutely hated high school, I couldn't wait to get out. I stunk at math, science was stupid and history was boring. The only two subjects I cared for were women and cars(this hasn't changed). I had no idea what I wanted to do at 15, matter of fact when I graduated high school I still wasn't sure. My obsession with custom and classic cars lead me to attend a two year tech college after HS to learn auto body repair. Upon finishing I got a job in a body shop sweeping floors, doing body work, prepping, sanding, and detailing. It took me a few months to realize that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life breathing in dust and fumes all day long.
So 10 years ago I decided to go to work for the railroad. I still like my job minus the BS and politics, the pay is nice but the lifestyle sucks. I had to pull strings just to be off for the birth of my son. The railroad doesn't give a hoot about you or your problems, they expect you to be ready when they call you. PERIOD.
I understand you not liking school and not being interested in college, I've been there. But at the same time it's good to have something to fall back on when.. not if but when you're furloughed, or fired. These are two very real aspects of this job that the magazines dont tell you about in their warm fuzzy little articles. It's a cold unforgiving world on the rr, so have a backup plan so you and your family dont sit in the dark hungry.
My advice, get an education or learn a trade or do both but always have a parachute for when the stink hits the fan. And whatever you do, dont blab to the hiring recruiters about how much you love trains and your life long dream is to be an engineer, you're application will get tossed quick.
Trainfan25 Are there anymore suggestions you guys can give me?
Are there anymore suggestions you guys can give me?
What grade are you in Trainfan25? At 15, that would put you in 10th grade? Still plenty of time to figure out what you want to do. I've seen smart people in high school that gave up for one reason or another and never made anything of themselves. I've also seen people you'd never expect to do anything succeed at college later on. Grades are just one part of it.
If you want to work for the railroad- that's fine. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's just that most of us have been in your shoes and can look back at our lives with 20/20 hindsight. Very few people don't lament not trying a little harder in school. Even if math is not your thing (I always struggled with plain math. I was better with more practical math and its applications) there's other fields of study.
You have time. Don't dismiss anything yet. If I had to do it all again - I know I would have chosen a different path.
Don't get me wrong, It's not like I don't like learning.The only class I have real difficulty in is math. I got honors in history last year. If the railroad doesn't work out for me I probably will go to college.
LION got a 17% in high school algebra, and my father would not let me drop the class since it was his favorite subject. I passed 9th grade math in summer school.
In college I graduated Magna *** Laude. My math skills never did improve. I got a B in college algebra, but a few semesters later I got a 40% on an algebra pre test in a physics course. I went on to ace the course with consistent A work, and most tests at 100%. Arithmetic has been my biggest nemesis since second grade: the teacher did not like the way I made my 7s. Crumpled up a test one time and refused to turn it in.
OK, so do not give up. You need these skills. Go read the subchat forums. Those people may be train operators, but they cannot write an English sentence worth a fish.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Trainfan25 I'm not all that good in school. My class rank is 297 out of 355. I'm not that good in math or science. College just doesn't really interest me.
I'm not all that good in school. My class rank is 297 out of 355. I'm not that good in math or science. College just doesn't really interest me.
Then be a ditch digger if you want to give up on yourself right now. There is nothing easier than school because when you leave it the real learning, the real work, the reaching of achievements are at hand. Learning math, history, and English are not only easy compared to what's ahead, but also manditory if you expect to do anything at all. Don't let sitting in a cab and pushing buttons and pulling levers fool you, there is a lot of book learning, rules learning, and mental labor going on too. And the same goes with law enforcement. You are only 15 and have a lot to learn about alot of things including yourself. You'll be surprised what you can do and will do and have to do in time. Learning and understanding the need to learn are two of those things that will lead to mastering everything else. So don't turn your back on being educated, don't turn your back on yourself.
One thing I might add - today's locomotives are complex machines with many systems that the engineer must master the understanding of the theory and practicality of those systems operations. Much of the training time for becoming a engineer is spent in the class room being instructed on those systems, their common failures and their common fixes.
When your train has a engine 'crap out' in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night - you either get it fixed and running again, or you will sit there with the railroad coming to a halt while plans are made to move your train from where it is to a place of 'safety' until additional power can be secured for your train.
Book learning does not end with High School.
Trainfan25 What about schools like MODOC? I heard that they are a scam but what do you guys think about it?
What about schools like MODOC? I heard that they are a scam but what do you guys think about it?
CSX has their own school that you go to if you are hired. So does NS. Why waste money on something like Modoc?
In any field, learning ability and adaptability (willingness to change) are the two most important qualities. If you have those, you are likely born with them. If you put them to good use, you will eventually be adept at languages, creative thinking, problem-solving, and generating warm relationships. As you can see, those would also be important in any human arena.
Like reconnaissance, time spent in school is seldom wasted. It depends on your orientation to it. If you resist schooling, you may also be uncomfortable in other formal learning settings where time must be spent in a classroom. For those people, they may prefer to watch and learn, and to work outdoors or with their hands. We call them 'realists', or that they enjoy a realistic lifestyle. While others like book-keeping and working with numbers, others are service-oriented (hospitality, health care providers, etc.). Others are artistic and enjoy performing and being the centres of attention. They are more spontaneous and creative, often less inhibited.
Most of us have a bit of all of these things, but as we move through life, we gravitate to one of them because we realize that we have the potential for mastery there. That is usually experience-based, meaning it takes exposure, some wins and some losses, but it always feels good and appealing.
If you are a quick learner, and show that you are williing to both work hard and conform to authority and policies/regulations, you will fit in to any industry. If you demonstrate sincerity and a solid grasp of your chosen field, mainly by easily answering the most basic questions about your chosen work, including WHY you want to do it, or why it appeals to you, you will be taken seriously. They won't have time for know-it-alls or smart-arses, and probably won't be keen to take on someone who is immature and insecure. They want men.
If you are not yet a man, remember what I said about time being spent on both reconnaissance and schooling; they are seldom wasted.
Crandell
Remember one trite saying -
Too soon old, too late smart.
I'm with Balt and Zug - go to college, even the area junior/community college.
In some ways, you remind me of those athletes who are convinced they are the next big thing and eschew education because they know they're gonna be the next big thing. Then they blow out their (name a joint) and sports is nothing more than a fond memory.
Usually you can get through a junior college fairly cheaply, given the appropriate grants and scholarships that are usually available. Having that Associates degree shows you've got some stick-to-it-iveness, and provides the basis for further education
The military is not a bad option. Shop around the recruiters and see what's available for jobs. Just keep in mind that while they may look for one skill this year, something else may be in demand next year.
Keep in mind, too, that you may just find the woman of your dreams and decide that the irregular hours of railroading don't square with your view of family life (reams have been written here about that).
Running a locomotive is fun (unless your consist is a mess or the loco has a mind of its own), but it's not all fun and games. And in today's world, you might just get qualified in the seat only to get bumped back down.
Keep your options open - but keep following your dream as well.
Well, you're only 15. Still have a few years before you have to make a decision. But in this economy, get as much education as you can, And if you have any ability in math or science, then please pursue it. There's lots of jobs that work with railways that aren't T&E service. And you can always find a tourist/museum railway to play trains for fun.
But I know you probably won't listen to that advice since I sure as hell didn't when I was 15.
I graduated high school with the usual honors, went to college, changed majors about 45 times, and ended up spending my last two years on the dean's list. I should have went right into grad school, but I decided to try to minimize my debt and work for a year or two. And the career path I was pursuing is mostly in the government, and with the hiring freezes, my chances didn't look good. The RR was hiring, and I landed a job. Worked 5 years as a conductor, and now work dispatching. Even if I am second-guessing that decision (grass is always greener), I know I wouldn't be here without my college degree. So while I am not exactly working in my major - it still got me a job.
There is nothing wrong with having an interest in railroads. Many here do. If I didn't, I doubt I'd have stuck around.
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