The class of 2022 interns enjoyed an afternoon of festivities at the Atlanta headquarters

Each summer, Norfolk Southern hosts an internship program to give college students and recent college graduates an opportunity to get professional experience under their belt. This year, we welcomed 69 interns from 28 colleges and universities across the country, all of whom have made meaningful contributions to several departments, including Safety & Environment, Advanced Train Control, Accounting, and Engineering.

To thank our interns for a successful summer, we hosted a special event Wednesday, July 14, at our headquarters in Midtown Atlanta. Our interns mingled with one another, enjoyed some light bites, played games, and networked with some of our seasoned Norfolk Southern employees, including Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Michael McClellan.

We spoke to a few of our interns about their experience this summer, and they shared why they chose to intern at Norfolk Southern and what they learned along the way.

For Georgia Tech students Anikait Dhond, who works with the Safety and Environmental Analytics department, and Hiba Hazeem, who supports the Sourcing department, Norfolk Southern was an easy choice. Both Dhond and Hazeem have been fascinated with the railroad and trains for as long as they can remember.

“During my childhood I loved to watch the Norfolk Southern trains roll through my hometown,” Dhond said. “I chose Norfolk Southern, because it reignited my childhood aspirations of working with the railroad while also pursuing something related to the degree I am studying in school. For me, it is a dream come true!”

Norfolk Southern was a no brainer for Human Resources and Talent Acquisition intern Abigail Krull, who is currently attending Auburn University. Krull’s dad and brother are both long-time Norfolk Southern employees, so Krull grew up with a first-hand look at life on the railroad.

“I have gotten to see all the incredible opportunities that Norfolk Southern has given my family, and I knew this was somewhere that I could get hands on, real-world experience that will help me for the rest of my professional career,” Krull said. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming and more than willing to help out and share their knowledge throughout my time here.”

In the photo above, Abigail Krull poses with her dad, Kevin Krull, Sr. Director Mechanical – Southern Region, and one of her brothers at the Norfolk Southern Family Day at Sevier Yard in Knoxville, TN, more than 10 years ago.