UP Career Corner
Security Guard Trades Badge for Railroad Safety Gear
Posted May 4, 2017 12:00 PM CDT
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Mechanical Service Operator Lasean Edwards began his career with Union Pacific 17 years ago as a tie-down clerk.
After working near the railroad day-in and day-out as a security guard right out of high school, it didn’t take long for Lasean Edwards to decide he wanted a job at Union Pacific.
Edwards spent two years as a contract security officer at Union Pacific’s Chicago properties, before being hired as a tie-down clerk, where he installed container connectors on intermodal trains.
After two years as a tie-down clerk, he moved on to become a gate clerk for the next two years. Then he moved to the Supply warehouse in Chicago for another two years before moving to Council Bluffs, Iowa, as a utility clerk. Nine years ago he moved back to Chicago as a mechanical service operator (MSO) at the Proviso Diesel Shop, the position he holds today.
“This is the best company I’ve ever worked for,” Edwards said. “Once I came here, I knew I never wanted to leave."
As an MSO, Edwards services locomotives daily, which includes fueling, sanding and servicing the cab. MSOs also move locomotives around the yard and help arrange rail cars.
His favorite part of his job? The people.
“It’s like a big family here,” Edwards said. “I come here and have people that actually care about me. The atmosphere is great.”
His advice to potential applicants for jobs in any department at Union Pacific: Do it.
“I’ve been here 17 years and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon,” Edwards said. “It’s a great place to be.”
Interested in a career like Edwards’? Visit https://up.jobs to view our current openings.
