Pros
Good benefits. Good company match for 401k. Stable employment (for management). Great management experience for a position fresh out of college. Above average pay for college grads.
Cons
POTENTIAL COLLEGE HIRES PLEASE READ: I worked for NS for a year and a half directly out of college. If you are interested in a M-F, 9-5 type job with weekends and holidays off... this is NOT the place for you. - Expect to live ANYWHERE on the system (even if your offer letter says 'Chicago', that does not necessarily mean you will be in Chicago. And if you are, you won't be for long.) - Expect to work nights, weekends and holidays. The ONLY employees who consistently have Sat/Sun off are much higher up the management chain. (On that note: expect to use vacation in order to have holidays off...) - Expect to work long hours. I consistently worked 60+ hours per week. - Expect to work directly with unions. This can be very difficult if you are not familiar with a union environment. With many (not all) union employees, there is a strong 'us vs. them' mentality toward management. If you take things personally, you will likely struggle to cope with this. - Expect to have little to no social life. Given the uncommon hours and/or off days, it is nearly impossible to find time to enjoy your income. This lifestyle is definitely a good fit for certain people. However, I feel that college hires struggle the most with the adjustment to this lifestyle. In my opinion, the cons greatly outweigh the pros. I was able to find a new job with equal pay and normal working hours in a great city for young professionals. The railroad is NOT for everyone.