Utility Tech students interview with area employers
Tuesday / March 29, 2016
MCC Gas Line Tech student Victor Cisneros (left) meets with Steve Turriff and Lori Wildman of Alliant Energy.
Utility Technician students at Marshalltown Community College earned some valuable, real-world experience this week, as each of them participated in individual interviews with area utility companies. First-year gas line and power line tech students had the opportunity to meet and interview with representatives from both Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy on Tuesday.
The College has done a “Boot Camp” for the past three years where first and second year students show off their hands-on skills to area employers. This year the Utility Tech Advisory Committee came up with the idea of a “mock interview” with first year students, rather than a hands-on demonstration of skills.
Emily Haskovek and Brittany Kelly of Alliant Energy sit with MCC Power Line Tech student, Russell Bauer.
“It really benefits both the students and the employers,” says Ron Estabrook, gas line technician instructor. After these interview sessions, the students will have met with all three utility companies in the area—Black Hills Energy, Mid American Energy, and Alliant Energy.
“We’ve had students get jobs before they even graduate because of these interviews,” adds Estabrook. “ Just last week, Mike Smith, went to work for MidAmerican Energy. They targeted him because 1.) he went to school here and 2.) he made an impression on the company from last year’s boot camp.”
MidAmerican Energy employees interview first-year student, Ridge Downard on Tuesday. Pictured are Eric Bowen, Supervisor of Service Operations; Joel Krusemark, Supervisor of Customer Service Operations; and Anna Wing Pilcher, Manager of Training & Operator Qualification.
The students are also finding the value in these “meet and greet” sessions.
“I think this is a really good idea,” says Francisco Purdue, first-year gas line tech student at MCC. “It’s a great opportunity to get in front of an interviewer and potentially your future employer before you even graduate.”