On October 30, 2024, three seniors from Lancaster High School—Jayla Beale, Nijae Butler, and Nadiyah Smith participated in the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) Girl Power Camp to explore career opportunities in the energy sector. Alongside other high school students from the region, they investigated various professions within the electric industry and engaged in practical activities such as climbing utility poles, operating bucket trucks, and utilizing drones.
The students also had the opportunity to interact with representatives from the human resources department, where they received constructive feedback on their resumes and discussed essential interviewing skills.
Students also learned electric cooperatives offer a diverse array of career options, including positions for line workers, financial analysts, graphic designers, meeting coordinators, GIS mappers, customer service representatives, purchasing specialists, IT professionals, broadband marketers, dispatchers, and videographers, among others. Many of these roles are accessible to individuals with varied educational backgrounds, including high school diplomas, college degrees, or specialized training programs.
During lunch, participants listened to women in the electric industry who shared inspiring stories about overcoming challenges within the workforce. These speakers encouraged the attendees to pursue their passions.
Local cooperatives present students with the opportunity to establish meaningful careers while remaining within their communities, should they choose to do so. Jayla, Nijae, and Nadiyah expressed their appreciation for this experience and said they would highly recommend it to their peers.
Lancaster County Public Schools is dedicated to offering career exploration initiatives that provide students with clear pathways post-graduation, referred to as the 3 E’s: employment, enlistment in military service, or enrollment in college or vocational training programs.
Through the Girl Power Camp, students recognized the various pathways available for gaining employment within the energy sector. We extend our gratitude to VMDAEC for organizing the Girl Power Camp and look forward to future career exploration opportunities that connect students’ passions with purposeful careers.
