Students

Registered Student Attendees** have access to many events held in conjunction with the AREMA 2018 Annual Conference & Exposition including:

• Opening & Closing General Sessions
• Technical Sessions with almost 80 presentations
• Networking Opportunities
• Over 200 Exhibits from various contractors, suppliers and consulting firms in the Exposition Halls

​**Student Picture ID & current course schedule required by non-member students to register as a Student Attendee.

Interview and Resume Tips Presentation and Workshop

Making a positive impact with a resume is the first step to receiving a call for an interview. Interviewing well will help you land a job as you begin your career. Tips will be provided on resume content and submission (including accompanying documents) and interviewing. This information will be able to be applied to searching for a job as well as submitting scholarship applications.

Presenters:
Tim Rock, Senior Vice President at TranSystems, has 34 years of experience in the transportation industry. Beginning his career with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he has also worked for industry contractors and in consulting. Throughout his career in various roles, Tim has been responsible for reviewing hundreds of resumes and interviewing hundreds of candidates for a variety of positions. Tim is a member of Committee 24 and leads the Students Speakers task.

Ashley Pate, National Marketing Coordinator – Freight, has 10 years of experience in the transportation industry with TranSystems. She is the Executive Board of Director for an engineering scholarship foundation and has reviewed hundreds of resumes and application materials for various scholarships. Ashley is the Vice Chair-Education for Committee 24 and is the co-project manager for the PGRE II rewrite task and participates on the Scholarship task.

Exciting Careers in the Railroad Industry Presentation 

Two career railroad industry professionals will provide an overview of the various opportunities for college graduates within the railroad industry.  The presentation will cover descriptions of the different departments within a Class I railroad and the types of career paths available.  The discussion will also include perspectives on working for a design engineering firm servicing the railroad as well as working for a railroad supplier.  The presentation’s goal is to cement each student’s commitment to remaining within the railroad industry! We’re Recruiting!!

Presenters:
Cassie Gouger graduated from Purdue University in 1993, with a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering.  While at Purdue in the coop intern program, she was exposed to the wonderful world of railroad engineering.  After she graduated, she spent half of her career working for design consultant firms, then went to Union Pacific Railroad in 2011.  She is currently the Senior Manager of the capital projects design group that covers mainline capacity projects for the entire UP network.

Alanna Strohecker graduated from Villanova University in 2001, with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and from the University of Maryland with a Master’s of Business Administration.  Alanna began her railroad career at a consulting firm, but has also worked for Wabtec Railway Electronics, and BNSF during the course of her career.  She is currently a Vice President at AECOM, serving as the Freight Rail Market Sector Lead for the Americas.

Leadership Working Luncheon

This will be a time for the student chapters to discuss their successes and lessons learned as well as share leadership perspectives between students from across the country. This is also an opportunity to provide ideas and feedback to AREMA on how they can help make the students’ experience through the chapters, AREMA membership and conference a success. This event is intended for one student and one advisor from each chapter. Please reserve your spot with an email to the Student Chapter Coordinator.

Hosted by: 
Amanda Limburg, Freight Rail Project Manager at David Evans and Associates, Inc., graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2009 with a BS in Civil Engineering. Amanda moved to Denver, CO in 2014 to join the freight rail group at David Evans and Associates, Inc. Amanda has designed and managed rail and site civil projects for a variety of clients including Class I railroads, ports, rail-served industries, and public agencies. These projects have included intermodal and automotive facilities, transit stations, main line improvements, rail-served industry facilities, road/rail grade separations, planning studies and permitting assistance. Amanda is currently a member of AREMA Committee 24, serving as the student chapter coordinator. Amanda enjoys mentoring young professionals, playing soccer, cooking, crafting, and spending time outdoors (hiking, traveling, camping) with her family, friends, and dog Opal. 

Orientation

This session will provide information on the Conference, AREMA and the railroad industry to assist students in making the most out of the Conference and AREMA experience.

AREMA Committee 24 Collegiate Quiz Bowl

Join us for the trivia-style team Quiz bowl competition. Guidelines and rules are attached. Each Student Chapter is allowed at least one team in the competition. Additional teams from a Student Chapter can sign-up on a first-come, first-serve waiting list. In addition, there are two Members-At-Large teams. These teams are reserved for individuals that are not on a Student Chapter team, but would like to participate. All entries are due September 6th on the enclosed entry form. Entries and questions should be directed to the Student Chapter Coordinator.

Student Chapter Entry Form
Member-At-Large Entry Form
Quiz Bowl Guidelines

Poster Competitions

Come see or compete in this year’s undergraduate and graduate poster competitions. We know that the various levels in education offer different opportunities and experiences. Thus, this year has separate guidelines for graduate and undergraduate level poster content and scoring. Guidelines and entry forms are attached. Each University is allowed at least one graduate and one undergraduate entry in the competition. Additional entries will be put on a waiting list. All entries are due to the Student Chapter Coordinator by September 6th. Waiting list notifications will be sent out shortly after all entries have been received.

Poster Entry Form
Undergraduate Submission Guidelines
Graduate Submission Guidelines

Professionals and Students Networking Social

Mingle, network, and connect with other students and railroad industry professionals at this year’s Professionals and Students Networking Social. This will be an interactive event, so come ready to engage your fellow railroad industry members, in addition to viewing the posters in the poster competition. 

Headshot Lounge

Take this opportunity to get a professional headshot taken that can be used on your social media and resume. Plan to dress in business attire and schedule time to stop by. This photo will be great for future career planning!

Meet The Next Generation

Hosted by AREMA and Committee 24 – Education & Training
The Meet The Next Generation Event has been extremely successful in years past and continues to grow each year with more attendees and companies hosting tables at the networking reception. We hope to make the 13th Annual Event even better!

This Event will provide:

• Prospective employees and students the opportunity to learn about the railway industry and meet industry representatives.   
• Industry representatives a chance to establish relations with potential employees.

Panel Discussion
Five pre-selected panelists from various areas of the railway industry, with various years of experience will present the types of projects that have worked on in their job and answer questions (for prospective railroaders).

• Welcome by AREMA President, Dwight W. Clark
• Introduction of Panel Members
• Presentations 
• Q&A

Networking Reception
Two hour Networking Reception to welcome prospective railroaders, student participants and those who are new to the industry. This event is a great opportunity to network with industry representatives!