The Fast Track

At 29 years old, Jason Murray, ’14, recently ascended to a vice president role at a nationwide provider of railroad services. But he doesn’t mind being the youngest person in the field.

June 13, 2023

In 2014, Jason Murray graduated from MSU with a B.A. in human resource management and an additional major in communications—and it only took him three and a half years. But his short time on campus brimmed with possibilities.  

It started at the Career Services Network, where Murray worked as a student supervisor. He then went to work in the Center for Spartan Engineering under the guidance of Garth Motschenbacher and Jennifer Jennings. 

“Career Services is the reason I’ve had the success I’ve had,” Murray said. “I truly attribute it to Garth and Jennifer and the opportunities and the introductions they gave me when I was an undergraduate. That’s why I’m so, so passionate about the university.” 

The southeast Michigan native chose Michigan State after earning acceptance into the Broad Freshman Program, which helps students prepare for junior-level admissions into the school.

Murray immediately took on several on-campus responsibilities. In addition to his work with Career Services, he became a resident assistant for the Broad Freshman Program and a teaching assistant for a public speaking communications class. 

Amid a demanding course load and multiple jobs, he found time to cheer on MSU athletic teams, attending every event he could, from football games to cycling events. He was selected for Homecoming Court as a senior, and frequently volunteered in the community. 

“I worked with Camp Kesem at Michigan State, which is a summer camp for kids whose parents have or had cancer,” Murray said. His time at the camp allowed him to hone his leadership skills while building a community. “I met a ton of great friends.” 

Initially, he planned to pursue real estate but discovered a divergent career path while helping engineering students explore their own. 

Murray led a corporate tour for the Center for Spartan Engineering during his sophomore year spring break, planning a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. There, he met members of Union Pacific Railroad, which led to an interview and a job. Upon graduation, he started as a logistics associate and earned multiple promotions over four years before accepting a job in the utility services division of RailPros, a Texas-based nationwide provider of rail and transit engineering and safety services. 

“It’s a combination of everything I’ve enjoyed in my career,” Murray said. “I’m a liaison between business and engineering, which goes back to working in the College of Engineering. And I get to translate technical information into non-technical terms.” 

Today, as vice president of utility services, he spends most of the year in a hard hat and steel-toed boots, visiting work sites nationwide. He oversees engineers and field professionals— often with decades of experience—so Murray exceeds expectations and cultivates relationships to earn their respect and trust. 

“It’s like I have 65 to 75 grandparents that are all looking out for me,” he said. “By being willing to learn, they were so willing to teach and give me a little bit of trust to help build the company.”

His story is still in its early chapters, but Murray is forever grateful for the opportunities his Spartan education afforded him.

“Michigan State was a huge cornerstone of my success,” he said. “It’s an incredible school, and I had some huge role models and huge supporters. I feel blessed for that.”

Contributing Writer(s): Drew Mentock