Kristen Arey is a 2021 graduate of Morgan State University’s Industrial Engineering program. She started her career at Amtrak in the manager trainee program for the January 2022 class. In her spare time, Kristen likes to hike trails, play the piano, arrange floral designs and enjoys traveling to new places on her bucket list.
Amtrak Employee Stories: Andrew
Kristen Arey is a 2021 graduate of Morgan State University’s Industrial Engineering program. She started her career at Amtrak in the manager trainee program for the January 2022 class. In her spare time, Kristen likes to hike trails, play the piano, arrange floral designs and enjoys traveling to new places on her bucket list.
What interested you in Amtrak?
I have always had a fascination for public transit and providing services to the public. Being employed at Amtrak gave me a sense of contributing to society on a larger scale.
What attracted you to the management trainee program?
I was intrigued by rotating through different departments and getting firsthand experience to which one would attract me the most.
What are some of the highlights of being a management trainee?
A few highlights that I would love to mention is traveling to different cities and the many faces that you come across while in your rotations as well. From my time in the program, each rotation has been amazing and life changing. Everyone that I have met so far has been very helpful and kind, from executive leadership to someone who manages track work in the field, there is always a person who is willing to help you along the way.
The places you'll go! Amtrak’s Manager Trainee Program is designed to develop Amtrak’s future leaders.
This competitive and comprehensive program includes the highest quality classroom training, multiple facility visits, extensive hands-on training in the field, cross-functional assignments and rotations, first-hand interactions with Amtrak’s top Executives, and more.
What rotation has been memorable for you thus far?
That’s a tough one, but if I had to choose, it would be the mechanical rotation. I thought since that isn’t my educational background that I would enjoy it the least, but it was my most favorable rotation. I had the opportunity to see the day in the life of a couple managers at the mechanical facility in DC and was in awe of the operation to inspect and maintain the motors. I learned not only the high importance of that operation that the public doesn’t see but also to have an open mind about what other areas within Amtrak that may interest you.
What is your favorite thing about working for Amtrak?
I would say the limitless opportunities there are to learning new things. Working for Amtrak provides a space where everyday is a new experience to grow and learn, professionally and personally.
What advice would you give students thinking about a career with Amtrak?
Amtrak is a unique place that fosters expansion in your career and provides opportunity for you to find areas in the company that you may like whether that’s in finance, human resources, or engineering. You have the chance to explore what career suits you best and you can do that here.
