Cooperative Living January/February 2023 - 6

POWERFUL CAREERS
A Glimpse of Potential
Gaining a new perspective on success
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Y
oung women throughout
Virginia challenged their
determination to reach new
heights at this year's Girl Power Camp,
hosted by the Virginia, Maryland &
Delaware Association of Electric
Cooperatives, its member cooperatives
and generous partners.
OnDec. 2, several determined young
women gathered for the second annual
event at the Association's trainingning
ined
nn
facility in Palmyra, Va., for an interactive
experience
introducing
ience
" I had a lot
of fun, made
more friends,
and felt like
I belonged. "
- Savannah Massie,
Monroe, Va.
them to a
variety of
to
ty
career paths.
The
th
The one-dayone-da
ene gy areer
experience
rgy career
experience isis
intended for
high school girls
interested or
curious about working on a line crew,
in a substation, as a drone operator, with
advanced metering technology or as a
fiber broadband technician. Instructors
led students through various activities
in the classroom and outdoors. Campers
learned about safety on the job,
including how to safely climb a utility
pole and operate a bucket
truck - some were even able
to help operate a drone.
Students also individually
met with industry human
resources professionals to
review their goals, discuss
interviewing best practices and
develop a personal " elevator
speech. "
" I've decided I definitely want to
pursue becoming a lineworker, " says
Chessa Trimble, who is currently an
apprentice electrician, after an exciting
day at camp.
With more women taking on roles
in the field, attracting them to the
responsibilities and teamwork of a line
crew remains a challenge. These types
of operations roles can often lead to a
variety of leadership opportunities
within an organization.
" It was a true learning experience
with none of the performance pressure
sometimes found in a classroom, "
says Jane Baker, director of career
and technical education and principal
at Blue Ridge Technical School.
" The variety was exceptional, and
my students came back 'pumped'
about the experience. We'll definitely
" I got half way up
the pole! I didn't
want to stop. I
used to be afraid
of heights. "
- Ti'Onna Dupuy,
Farmville, Va.
be attending next year. "
Madison County High School
Principal Betty-Jo Wynham described
the event as a great example of how
community partnerships can help expand
learning beyond the classroom walls
and help students discover the diverse
career opportunities available to them.
" Hearing from women who are
passionate about their careers in this
industry and the pathways they took
to get there paired with hands-on
learning experiences was very powerful
and proved to showcase career
opportunities better than any human
resources website, " says Wynham, who
is also the career and technical education
administrator at MCHS. 
For more, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.
THANK YOU
Blaine Salmans, Safety Manager,
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative,
assists Dehlilaray Roop, Linden, Va.
4 ● Cooperative Living ●
January-February 2023
Leah Henshaw of Madison
County uses a preform tie to
secure a (disconnected) hot wire.
Several partners helped make this event
possible, including Milwaukee Tool,
Altec, Tyndale, Davey Resource Group,
Bradley Electro, Utility Sales Associates,
Lekson & Associates, Virginia 811,
Southside Virginia Community College,
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative,
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative,
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
and other Virginia electric cooperatives.
co-opliving.com
http://www.vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living January/February 2023
