HBCU Engagement Day at Norfolk Southern

 On September 18th, 2025, I attended HBCU Engagement Day at Norfolk Southern, where I had the opportunity to learn more about the company, explore different career paths, and participate in professional development activities. We started by hearing about the company’s mission and the many different roles that keep it running, from operations and logistics to finance, technology, and communications. It was eye-opening to see how many career opportunities exist within one organization.

We also got to tour the building, which gave me a better sense of the company’s work environment and culture. One thing that stood out to me during the tour was noticing that there weren’t many Black employees. It was interesting to see this, especially since the event itself was designed to engage students from HBCUs. It made me think about how representation matters in the workplace and how companies can work to create more inclusive environments.

Another highlight of the day was the professional development portion, where we practiced mock interviews and got real-time feedback. That experience really helped me build more confidence in how I present myself and talk about my skills in a professional setting.

Overall, the event was both informative and thought-provoking. It helped me see how my interests could fit into industries I hadn’t considered before, but it also reminded me of the importance of diversity and representation in professional spaces. It motivated me to keep sharpening my communication and interview skills so I can confidently pursue future opportunities—and hopefully help bring more representation into spaces like this in the future.

- Sydney Craddock