Cooperative Living September 2023 - 6

POWERFUL CAREERS
A Unique Opportunity
Young women invited to explore powerful careers
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
O
rst and
at the
hrou
C
h
the
re
ver the past couple ofyears, several curious young
women in high school and college - even some who
had completed school - gathered at the Virginia,
Maryland & Delaware Electric Cooperative Training Center
in Palmyra, Va., for a unique opportunity. They experienced
firsthand what it's like to work on a utiility line crew.
ha it'
The 2023
Gir Po
Gir Po
l
ki
ike to wo
wer
CamCam
on
on
rainin Cen er
in
er broadband technician. Instructors will lead students
through various activities in the classroom a
drone op ra or wit
a fiber broadband
advance
chnician
st uctors
in the
opera
and outdoors.
Campers can expect to learn about safety on
how to
Witith more women taking on roles in th
them to the responsibilities and teamwork
men ta ng
to the
in
team
ampers can expect to learn about safety on the job, including
how to safely climb a utility pole, operate a b
operate a drone.
bucket truck and
in the field, attracting
rk ofa line crew
remains a challenge. These types ofoperaoperations roles 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. "
4 ● Cooperative Living ●
September 2023
lit
at the Palmyra TrainingCenter. The one-d
e
experience is intended for high school girl
cu iou ab
w, in
teri
in
p is scheduled
fo
w.
for Friday, Nov. 3,
day energy career
xperience is 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
te
Human resources professionals from various electric
cooperatives throughout the three-state region also met
individually with each student. They learned about students'
interests and explained the wide variety ofcareer options at
electric cooperatives. Students also had their resumes reviiewed
and learned some tips for answering interview questions.
Finance professionals are expected to join the discussions
this year, as well.ll.
wit
interests an
each stude t. The learne
had
abou stude
explained the wide variety ofcareer options at
me tips for answering interview questions.
sionals
re expected to join the discussions
Madison CountyHigh School Principal Betty-JoWynham
describes the event as a great example ofhow community
partnerships can help expand learning beyond the classroom
walls, and help students discover the diverse career
ounty High School Principal Betty-JoWynham
nt as a great example ofhow community
n
the
opportunities available to them. " Hearing fromwomen 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, "
saysWynham, who is also the career and technical education
ilable to them. " Hearing fromwomen who
ut heir careers in this industry and the
to
ery
ho
pai ed
to showcase career
tter than any human resources website, "
the career and technical education
administrator at MCHS.
The camp is offered at no cost, thanks to the generosity of
several industry partners with a passion for recruiting young
women to the energy industry. 
For more information or to register for this year's
Girl Power Camp, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.
Space may be limited due to growing interest, so register early.
co-opliving.com
the classroom
ewe
PHO
PHOTO BY JIM ROBERTSON
JIM ROBERTSON
http://www.vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living September 2023

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