Chasing Excellence on Ice and Rail: US Speed Skater Gains Real-World Engineering Experience Through Union Pacific Internship

For Jonathan Tobon, balancing college, an engineering internship and elite athletic competition is all part of the journey.

A member of the US Speedskating National Team, Tobon has spent years competing at the highest levels of the sport. This summer, he’s gaining hands-on engineering experience at Union Pacific Railroad while continuing to pursue his athletic goals.

Tobon’s passion for speed skating began at age 7. After high school, he moved to Utah to train with the US Speedskating National Team and went on to compete internationally across North America, Europe and Asia. One of the highlights of his career was his recent competing at the 2025-2026 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

While studying electrical engineering at the University of Utah, Tobon connected with Union Pacific leaders through the railroad’s sponsorship of US Speedskating. Those conversations led to an internship that combined his academic interests with real-world industry experience.

“I’m very grateful to everyone who gave me the chance to see what it’s all about,” Tobon said.

Learning the Business of Railroading

Since joining Union Pacific, Tobon has worked alongside Steven Wright, director-Signal Maintenance, gaining exposure to both field operations and the business side of the railroad in the Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, area and beyond.

He has worked on projects that support the railroad's signal system, participated in field inspections, reviewed engineering plans, and used data and technology tools to help maintain safe and reliable operations.

“I’m able to see it from the business side, but then also get out into the field with maintainers and technicians to see it from their perspective as well,” Tobon said. “I think that’s incredibly valuable.”

One of the projects that stands out involves analyzing data to help teams identify and address potential issues before they impact critical signal infrastructure.

“I’ve learned a lot about how we try to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.

Similar Mindsets, Different Arenas

Although speed skating and railroading may seem worlds apart, Tobon sees strong similarities between the two.

“The hard work and dedication I see employees bring to their craft reminds me a lot of what I’ve experienced in my sport,” he said.

The discipline, consistency and commitment required to compete at an elite level are qualities he has seen throughout Union Pacific’s workforce.

A Rewarding Mentorship

When Wright was first asked to mentor an Engineering intern, he welcomed the opportunity.

“I enjoy teaching and felt fortunate to help a young engineer gain real-world experience, strengthen his resume and continue developing his electrical engineering knowledge,” he said.

Since Tobon joined the team in May, Wright has watched him embrace opportunities to learn, from territory inspections to signal maintenance initiatives.

“His analytical mindset, willingness to learn and strong work ethic have made a noticeable impact,” Wright said.

For Wright, mentoring Tobon has been especially rewarding.

“Watching Jon grow, ask thoughtful questions and genuinely want to contribute has made the experience incredibly fulfilling,” he said. “He has consistently demonstrated initiative, intelligence and a desire to be a valued member of the Union Pacific team.”

The Next Lap

As Tobon works toward finishing his engineering degree, he plans to continue pursuing opportunities in speed skating while remaining open to future opportunities in the railroad industry.

“Speed skating has meant so much to me throughout my life,” he said. “I want to see the next generation succeed, and I want to contribute to that.”

Whether on the ice or on the railroad, Tobon remains focused on learning, growth and excellence.