AREMA Young Professionals Experience

The AREMA Young Professionals Experience has been designed to give three young professional railroaders the opportunity to attend the AREMA 2023 Annual Conference & Expo for FREE.  The Young Professionals Experience will provide a professional 40 years old and under the chance to attend the AREMA Annual Conference for the first time, network and learn alongside other professionals in the railroad industry.  In addition to an onsite Conference experience, winners will receive a 2023 AREMA Membership to continue growth within AREMA.  If you or someone you know could benefit from this opportunity, please share the below information and encourage them to apply. 

AREMA Young Professionals Experience Package Includes:

  • Full Conference Registration to the AREMA 2023 Annual Conference & Expo
  • Three nights hotel accommodations (single occupancy). Sunday, August 28, through Tuesday, August 30 (hotel assigned by AREMA)
  • Meals included during event hours
  • AREMA Young Professionals Networking Event: Details coming soon! 
  • 2023 AREMA Membership

Experience does not include seminars in conjunction with the Annual Conference, incidentals, meals outside the event, transportation (including airfare and all other ground transportation).   

Qualifications to Apply:

  • First time attendee at the AREMA Annual Conference in-person
  • Current full-time employment with a railroad or rail transit agency
  • 40 years old and under
  • Employed in the railroad industry full time at least three (3) years
  • Complete Application below by July 5, 2022
  • AREMA Membership not required (however you will be required to create a user account online) 

Criteria for Selection:

The Review Committee will select individuals whom they believe are most likely to leverage this learning opportunity and apply the knowledge gained to benefit their careers and organizations.  

Important Dates:

Deadline for Submission is July 5, 2023
Winners will be notified on or about July 22, 2023  

Requirements Once Selected:

  • Provide a copy of your travel arrangements.
  • Provide a headshot of yourself to be included in marketing materials (website, social media, etc.).
  • Must be willing to sign a release form to be featured in Conference promotions. 
  • Complete a post-Conference statement regarding your experience.  
"A mentor once told me that in order to fully be involved in the railroad community you have to actually attend the AREMA Conference and see it for yourself and he was 100% correct. Attending the Conference gave me the opportunity to meet and connect with so many industry professionals, that have so much experience and want to share their knowledge with interested younger people, and I made sure to soak it all in."
~ Skylar Leach, 2019 Young Professionals Experience Winner
" Attending the AREMA Annual Conference allowed me to network with industry professionals, some of which I knew beforehand and some I had the privilege of meeting for the first time. It is often overlooked how important a face to face conversation is with someone and many I had only ever had an email conversation with."
~ Dave Roberts, 2019 Young Professionals Experience Winner
"The Young Professionals Experience was an excellent opportunity that allowed me to get to know other young professionals and learn about their career paths. I was also able to hear from seasoned industry professionals sharing their experience and providing great advice. This opportunity certainly encouraged to get involved more in the railway industry as an AREMA member and to share my experience with other local young railway engineers. Many thanks to the AREMA leadership team for their efforts in this year’s conference and paying special attention to the next generation of railroaders!"
  ~ Sahand Jafarian, 2021 Young Professionals Experience Winner
"The young professionals experience is a great opportunity for a young engineer to take part in an event they may otherwise not have the opportunity to attend. The networking and education value of the AREMA conference was excellent and would only be improved by an in person conference."
~ Brandon Loeffler, 2021 Young Professionals Experience Winner