The Journey: Talib’s Path from Student to Peer Mentor
A senior Achieve Atlanta Scholar at the University of Georgia (UGA), Talib Spearman is majoring in civil engineering with aspirations to work in the railroad industry. His growth as a student has been enriched by hands-on experience in the field. This past summer, he completed an internship with Norfolk Southern, a major railroad company. His time with Norfolk Southern provided valuable industry experience and reinforced his career goals.
“One of Achieve Atlanta’s partners was telling me about the railroad industry because he has family members working in it. He was telling me it was a great opportunity, and if you get it, learn all you can,” Talib said. “That really hit home because it made me feel like I’m on the right path.”
Impressed by his work, Norfolk Southern invited him to intern again during the summer of 2025. Talib feels one of the standout features of Achieve Atlanta’s support is its comprehensive approach, which extends beyond financial aid. He has benefitted from the guidance of Achieve Atlanta’s partners, whose support followed Talib from California to Georgia. This holistic support system has helped him remain focused on his academic and personal well-being, as opposed to financial stressors.
He is committed to building a career that merges his academic interests with his desire to make a lasting impact on his community. In that way, he feels a connection to Achieve Atlanta beyond the scholarship it provides for students.
“Being a civil engineer, you have to think about people and helping them. It kind of goes hand in hand with Achieve Atlanta’s message,” said Talib.
Talib transitioned into UGA by connecting with the Achieve Atlanta Scholars on his campus. Through monthly meetings and events, he strengthened his bond with fellow Scholars and felt motivated by their shared commitment to success. This allowed him to feel more comfortable advocating for himself and others around him.
“Achieve Atlanta brought me into a community of like-minded individuals,” he shared.
Inspired by his mentors and peers, Talib joined the Student Advisory Board for Beyond 12, Achieve Atlanta’s partner organization dedicated to providing students with the academic, social, and emotional support they need to succeed in higher education. Through this one-year experience, he acted as a voice for his peers while learning other skills, such as leadership and graphic design.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, Talib believes that his college experience would have been very different without Achieve Atlanta’s support and the Scholars he met through accepting the scholarship. Being able to form long-lasting relationships with students from similar backgrounds helped give him the confidence he needed to succeed in more than just academics.
“I don’t think you can beat it,” Talib said. “[Achieve Atlanta] has been beneficial all around – socially, mentally, emotionally, and academically.”
Authored by
Achieve Atlanta
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