Hi everyone! I am looking for some wisdom from those of you who work in the railway industry as tradesmen and/or design engineers. I would like to work in the U.S. passenger rail sector as a maintenance tech and in the future potentially move into a role that includes a mix of project management and hands-on work. Here’s the issue I am navigating right now: I am in my mid-twenties and have a degree in mechanical engineering from a big public school but I’m relatively lacking in technical experience aside from personal projects in the university’s machine shop and the rebuilding of an 80’s Westfalia (which I sadly sold to pay for tuition). I worked as a design engineer in a wastewater plant for a while but it was 80% desk work and I found myself envying those who were on-site troubleshooting and maintaining the system. I studied mechanical engineering because I love the science but what I’m truly looking for is a position that doesn’t keep me glued to an office chair.
And the questions:
What do you recommend in terms of some steps I can take right now to get my foot in the industry?
What mechanical skills will be the most relevant and valuable as the industry shifts towards electrification?
Any advice or thoughts are massively appreciated
And the questions:
What do you recommend in terms of some steps I can take right now to get my foot in the industry?
What mechanical skills will be the most relevant and valuable as the industry shifts towards electrification?
Any advice or thoughts are massively appreciated
