Req 3d — Interview a Rail Professional
3d.
With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s approval, interview someone employed in the rail industry. Learn what that person does and how this person became interested in railroading. Find out what type of schooling and training is required for this position.
Option 3d asks you to have a real conversation with a real person who works in the rail industry. You need to come away knowing three things: what they do, how they got into it, and what education and training their job requires. This is the most hands-on and potentially most memorable option in Requirement 3.
Before the Interview
Finding Someone to Interview
People who work in the rail industry include:
- Locomotive engineers, conductors, or dispatchers at any freight or passenger railroad
- Track or signal maintainers — field employees who keep the infrastructure running
- Railroad management or office staff — supervisors, managers, or corporate employees
- Employees of a transit agency — bus operators who also work with light rail, transit planners, maintenance crews
- Employees of a rail support industry — someone who works for a locomotive manufacturer, a track supplier, or a rail technology company
- Retired railroad employees — former employees count if they can speak to the industry from experience
Where to look:
- Ask your counselor — many counselors have connections in the rail industry
- Ask family members and neighbors if anyone works in rail
- Contact your local Amtrak or transit agency and ask if they can connect you with someone willing to speak to a Scout
- Reach out to a local rail preservation group or museum — volunteers often include retired railroad workers
Preparing Your Questions
Come to the interview with a written list of questions. Here are the three areas you must cover — plus some useful follow-up questions:
Interview Question List
Prepare these in advance and take notes during
What they do:
- What is your job title and what does your job involve on a typical day?
- What part of the work do you find most challenging?
- What do you enjoy most about it?
How they got into railroading:
- How did you first get interested in railroading?
- How did you get your first job in the industry?
- What was your career path to your current role?
Education and training:
- What education or credentials does your job require?
- What on-the-job training did you complete?
- Are there certifications or licenses required to do your work?
- What would you recommend for a young person interested in a similar career?
During the Interview
- Arrive or call on time, with your questions ready.
- Introduce yourself: “I’m working on the Railroading merit badge and I’m hoping to learn about your career.”
- Listen actively — ask follow-up questions when something is interesting or unclear.
- Thank the person at the end and ask if it’s okay to follow up with your counselor if additional questions come up.
After the Interview
You will report back to your counselor and describe what you learned. Be ready to discuss:
- Who you interviewed (name and job title — you do not need to share personal contact details)
- What their job involves on a daily basis
- The path they took into the industry
- What education or training their position required
- One thing they said that surprised you or that you found particularly interesting
Req 3d Completion Checklist
- Got approval from parent/guardian and counselor before contacting anyone
- Found and contacted a rail industry professional
- Prepared written interview questions in advance
- Conducted the interview and took notes
- Can tell the counselor what the interviewee does, how they got into it, and what training/education the job requires
- Ready to share one surprising or memorable thing from the conversation