Have you noticed some fresh faces around your office lately? Summer is now officially under way and Delmarva Power has welcomed a new cohort of interns into the fold for an electrifying summer program! The program consists of ambitious high school and college students who are eager to gain hands-on utility experience while supporting a wide array of our business functions and teams.
The program began in early June with kickoff events where interns met their managers and peers, engaged in icebreakers, and learned what to expect over the course of the summer.
The internship program boasts a lineup of both virtual and in-person events, designed to allow students to get together and learn more about the company – from technical operations to core competencies and values. Event highlights include a group Innovation Challenge, speed networking events, lunches with executives, tours of substations and live overhead line demonstrations.
The program also offers sessions where participants learn about the company’s vision and strategy, finance, safety, regulated utility ratemaking, and the basics of the utility power system and delivery process – from generation to the customer’s meter. Each Friday, interns gather for a virtual presentation to hear from one of our employee resource groups and learn about the events and opportunities they offer to all employees.
Jared Ware recently received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Widener University, and is now spending his summer interning on the Gas Engineering Reliability Team. What has surprised him most about his experience this summer? “I’m surprised that I was able to learn so much in so little time. Since I started my internship, I’ve done nothing but learn. I have very little experience with gas engineering, so I pretty much jumped into the field not knowing what to expect. However, the team that I’ve been working with has been so patient with me and are doing an amazing job teaching me everything that I need to know about the industry.”
What’s next for our summer interns? The program is set to conclude with final presentations given in mid-August. Each program participant will have the opportunity to present in front of company leadership and their peers, sharing what they have learned and accomplished over the course of their internship. Jared will return to Widener University in the fall to pursue his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Reflecting on his experience and what’s next for him, Jared says, “I look forward to seeing how my career and future develop after learning so much – not only about gas, but about the engineering industry in general. As a newly graduated engineer I highly value this experience and the knowledge that it has provided me.” As a former intern myself, I can confirm that the connections and experiences the program provides lay the groundwork for future success and a fulfilling career.