Company: Canadian Pacific Railway

Position: Shipment Planning Coordinator

Employed: 14 months

Degree: Bachelor in Business Administration

Where did you go to School? What program did you attend?
I took the Corporate Readiness Training Program at Bow Valley College in Calgary, Alberta. And before that, I attended the University Jose Maria Vargas in Venezuela, where I studied Business Administration and General Management.

What drew you to your current position?
I started out at CPRail in customer service. My passion and love for the transportation industry, along with business and logistics, led me to my current role as a shipment planning coordinator.

Tell us a bit about your responsibilities.
I provide information and updates on emergent conditions on the railway. I also care for our strategic customers and urgent situations on the off shift. Maintaining direct communications with customers and field operations is also very important to ensure traffic moves smoothly across the network.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
Definitely the shifts. I work 12-hour shifts, that vary. Right now, I work seven day shifts during the first two weeks of the month, and seven night shifts after that. It can be difficult adjusting, because sleep and eating patterns are affected, along with the time you get to spend with your family.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The job itself is very interesting. When I see results delivered and difficult situations solved, it feels very good. I love it when I see my traffic moving over the rails and arriving to its destination safely and quickly.

What accommodations do you use to help you succeed on the job?
Since I drive daily to work, the access to a permanent parking space is a huge benefit. Especially in the winter! The building I work in is quite accessible, with automatic and accessible doors and an automatic adjustable desk.

Can you tell us about the history of your disability and how it has affected your career?
It was always my hobby to race bikes. Back in 2006, I was riding my Yamaha R1000 (motorcycle) when I crashed and broke my back at a T10level. This resulted in a permanent spinal cord injury, which left me paralyzed from the waist down. Before my accident, I was a custom broker in Venezuela. But after, I wasn't able to return to my job due to my physical limitations and the lack of accessibility at the sea docks. I had to rethink my options and see what I had to do to once again become independent. This was important not only for myself or my family, but for society as well.

Is there one accomplishment you are most proud of to date?
Yes! Actually, I have two. The first is that I have a full time professional job with CP Rail. The second is that I'm able to stand up on my own, with the help of my leg braces, for an hour every day after work. When you're paralyzed from the waist down, standing up is pretty impossible. But there are ways around it. You have to do your research and find out what works for you. In my case, carbon fibrebraces helped, along with a daily commitment to exercise.

What advice do you have for students looking to land their first job?
It's important to be realistic when it comes to expectations. Be strategic in your job search, and pay close attention to the type of organizational environment and industry you would like to develop your career in. Be honest with yourself, consistent, reliable and always look to add value to any process.
Sponsored by Rogers