Her Story
About Beth
I graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2008 with a business degree, majoring in logistics and intermodal transportation. I like to say that I ended up where I belonged. Right out of college, I worked for a 3PL for a little over a year, but that didn't work out. I then transitioned to R&B Metal Structures, a small company out of Jackson, Georgia with a large reach in the Southeast. When I joined them, they had a real need for someone to help overhaul their logistics, scheduling, and distribution, which I did over about 4 years. I then applied to both Norfolk Southern and CSX management trainee programs, looking to progress my career to the next step. I was accepted by Norfolk Southern and started with them in September 2011. I've worked through a number of positions with Norfolk Southern, all operations-focused, either supporting or directly in operations. I spent time as a train master out in the field actually managing yard operations. One of my most notable achievements was helping Norfolk Southern revamp our lodging needs for our train and engine crews. I helped overhaul the way we do lodging through an RFP with various lodging providers, changing how we book hotels and do contracting for crews who travel between terminals. Now, as Manager of Learning and Development for less than 6 months, I focus on management trainees coming on board to Norfolk Southern, helping them with their operational learning and experience, and making the most well-rounded program for them by using my 14 years of previous experience in operations and support.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Beth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and perseverance. I came from a single-parent home where my mom worked two jobs, sometimes three, to support me and my little brother, and it was always dollar to dollar, trying to just make it through. Now, through the success that I've had in my career, the education that I have, and the success I've had with Norfolk Southern, and the availability of some of the things that they've afforded me, I've set up a very nice life for my family where we don't worry and we're comfortable. I don't see my kids having the same struggles, or even realizing the same struggles existed that I had when I was a kid. That's the most important thing for me - the stability that my career and my success has brought to my family, and just not having to worry.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I got was from a mentor when I first started at Norfolk Southern, Brad Fitzgerald. I was looking to make a move in the company because I wanted to expand my horizons and get out of the department I was in. He told me, 'Don't just move to move. Move with a plan. Make your job moves count.' So if you have a goal in mind - for me, I wanted to get into intermodal ops or work in the field, which I ultimately did - I made moves that were strategic enough to move me towards that goal. I didn't just move to a different job role to get more pay or have that next move on my resume. I made sure it was a step up and aligned with where I wanted to go.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't ever be told no. Don't ever be told that you're not able to do something, that you're not capable, or that you should not be where you are, simply because you're a woman.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For me right now, the biggest challenge is trying to make sure that I have buy-in from the people that we're working with in the field, so that they spend the time that's needed with the management trainees and they don't just push them away. I want to make sure the MTs get the most out of the program. The biggest opportunity is probably in the same realm - it's building those relationships, the networking, putting my name out there and getting that brand equity and recognition to say, you know, she's trustworthy, she's helpful, and we want to help her build this program.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and loyalty are the two values that are most important to me, for sure.
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