Rising Stars 2023: Antoinette Walker

Antoinette Walker, 36
Principal program and training coordinator
Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp.

Nominator’s quote: “[Antoinette’s] next career goal is to raise PATH training programs to the next level, not only to remain in regular compliance with FRA regulations but [also] to build and enhance a new culture of training within PATH and across the rail industry.” — Clarelle DeGraffe, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in administration of justice, George Mason University; master’s in criminal justice from Purdue University; master’s in political science, Southern New Hampshire University.

Job responsibilities: Oversee and maintain PATH’s CFR 214, 219, 240 and 242 programs and ensure training, certifications and testing for engineers and conductors follow PATH program standards and applicable CFRs. Also, supervise safety DSLEs and administration and compliance of the drug and alcohol program. Additionally, act as designated employer representative.

Career path: In 2010, joined PATH as a temporary passenger agent. Later, promoted to passenger conductor and then locomotive engineer. In 2015, became an operations examiner. Three years later, became a safety supervisor; in 2021, was promoted to principal program and training coordinator.

How did you get into the rail industry? A career in the rail industry was not planned, as you can see by the subjects of my degrees. But at the time, I needed a job after college and my nana told me to apply with PATH. What became inspirational was seeing how many opportunities and avenues for growth PATH and the Port Authority afforded individuals, especially internally. Teaching classes as an operations examiner and later as a DSLE safety trainer was when I realized how much I enjoyed educating others and how much it aligned with my own desire for continued education.

What is the best career advice you’ve received so far? The job will always be there, so give it your best because it will count, and people do notice — but learn when to leave because they will go on without you.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? Set your goals and always work toward achieving them. Don’t limit yourself to the tracks; always take the opportunity to network and see what else is out there. Remain optimistic and open-minded to innovative ideas and meeting new people because the railroad is a global industry with a diverse demographic to match. Don’t be afraid to try new things, because the industry is always growing and changing.

What was your first job? Babysitting/housekeeping for a couple with twin toddler boys. The job consisted of more housekeeping than babysitting, but it was very humbling and taught me discipline and hard work early on because the couple I worked for was very meticulous about what they wanted and exact in how they wanted things done in their home.

Share a fun fact about yourself I hiked through the rainforest and rappelled down an 80-foot waterfall in Puerto Rico, twice.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive in the world, who would it be and why? Michelle Obama. In addition to being a well-educated, intelligent and graceful woman, she has been in a position held by no other person in history as the first African American first lady of the United States. I would ask her for marriage, relationship, mothering and family advice. I also would like to know about overcoming adversity and how to continue to move with grace and dignity when you are faced with obstacles, embarrassment and disrespect when it feels like the world is against you.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career and why? My son and his father have the biggest influence on my career. As my family, they show me the biggest support in all aspects of my career. They keep me honest, humble and accountable. They keep me in check and have no problem letting me know when I’m wrong, often helping me approach things from a unique perspective. My son has had the biggest influence on how I treat the people I encounter in my career.

Describe a major obstacle in your career and how you surmounted it. Work-life balance. I became a new mother during the same time I joined a new department, which came with different responsibilities, including a more demanding work schedule. I overcame it by communicating my needs with my manager and also continuing to perform to the highest level and maintain a good attendance record. These factors, in addition to my manager being incredibly supportive of a good work-life balance, helped me overcome the obstacles and advance in my career.