People
July 31, 2025
A Summer Well Spent: Building America by Tackling Real-World Projects
An internship with Union Pacific Railroad wasn’t something I initially saw coming – but looking back, the path that led me here feels meant to be.
During my sophomore year as a Mechanical Engineering student at Florida International University, I was invited to Washington, D.C., to speak on a panel hosted by a major U.S. railroad company. The opportunity was made possible by my academic background and involvement in mentorship programs – specifically, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project founded by U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson that aims to equip the youth of Miami-Dade County with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed.
This panel opportunity served as my first real look into the rail industry and sparked my interest in how engineering and transportation converge. I connected with multiple leaders after the panel, including James Carey from Union Pacific, who later became my mentor and encouraged me to explore his company’s internship opportunities.
Thanks to that recommendation, I was able to spend my summer as an intern with Union Pacific’s Mechanical Department in Omaha. My work focused on real-world projects that directly impact the reliability and performance of Union Pacific’s freight operations.
For example, I spearheaded a data collection experiment that tracked the performance of our refrigerator cars’ temperature, humidity and light exposure during transit. Interfacing with contractors, vendors and customers helped me better understand their needs while developing my leadership skills.
I also learned how effective standard work processes for things like preventive maintenance drive long-term reliability improvements. This helped reinforce my goal of ensuring my contributions remain impactful at Union Pacific long after my summer internship ends.
Additionally, I was encouraged to see the railroad in action by visiting places like the Downing B. Jenks Locomotive Repair Shop in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Refrigerator Car Maintenance Track in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This hands-on learning experience is how I learn best.
I highly value the real-world exposure Union Pacific provides its interns – we’re encouraged to ask questions, make decisions and take initiative on problems that matter. The leadership, data analytics and organizational skills I learned enabled me to make meaningful contributions toward solving real-world problems that support Union Pacific’s mission of Building America.
Looking ahead, I’ve grown an interest in reliability engineering thanks to the challenges I faced during my Union Pacific internship. As I start my junior year, I look forward to applying my newfound knowledge and experience to both my studies and the real world.
Thank you to everyone who guided and supported me throughout my time at Union Pacific, including my supervisor, Selva Karunakaran, and the many talented individuals on the Freight Car Engineering and Reliability team – you helped create a foundation for my future success.