POWERFUL POSSIBILITIES!
Students Energized by Career Options at Georgia Power
The possibilities for today’s students are endless when it comes to exciting, cutting-edge, high-paying, evolving careers.
Students from Arabia Mountain High and Stephenson High recently got to experience many opportunities right here in the Peach State with Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of the Southern Company.
During this year’s “Careers in Energy Week,” a nationwide event highlighting career opportunities in the energy industry, Georgia Power invited students from metro Atlanta to its Klondike Training Center in Lithonia. While there, industry leaders offered educational sessions and provided hands-on learning. For instance, the junior and senior students learned how to handle live wire, metering, transmission, climbing, and had an opportunity to go up in the bucket trucks.
Students also learned about competitive-paying job opportunities available outside of high school, which is an important part, according to Stephenson High School Engineer and Technology Teacher Ezra Thompson.
“It’s important for students to understand what is going on in the industry, in the workforce,” Mr. Thompson said. “It helps them be more prepared so that they can think about a career while they are in school.”
The presentations left a strong impression on Stephenson High School junior Chayse Harris.
“If I decided to not go to college or not pursue my original career choice, and I was really worried about paying tuition, I would probably come here,” Harris said. “I feel like I would be a good fit if I wanted to do it. I could definitely do the line work.”
Most people don’t know that Georgia Power began operations in 1902, running streetcars in downtown Atlanta, where it’s headquartered. Without question, much has changed over the last 120 years.
According to Georgia Power’s Community and Economic Development workforce development manager Jamal Jessie, “Careers in Energy Week” aims to present information that helps students prepare for apprenticeships and plan their futures, from high school pathways to technical school programs.
“At Georgia Power, we’re building the future of energy. To do this, we need a diverse, skilled energy workforce,” Georgia Power chairman, president, and CEO Chris Womack said in a video message. “We’re counting on the next generation to power a stronger Georgia.”