Several Little Rock electric power entities are helping lead a careers summit for students in historically black universities Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 24–28, in Little Rock.
Electricity provider Entergy and two regional transmission organizations with headquarters in Little Rock, Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, are three sponsors of the Accessing Careers in Energy (ACES) Summit. The ACES event will feature industry speakers, professional development programs and glimpses into jobs in the electric power industry.
“It’s a targeted initiative by the electric power industry here in Little Rock, focused on finding early-career diverse talent,” said Brandon Morris, advisor in strategic communications at MISO. “MISO and SPP are working together to host students from five different HBCUs across the South.”
The goal is to hire students to work in Arkansas, Morris said.
Two Dozen Students
The two dozen students participating are juniors and seniors from Jackson State University, Howard University, Tennessee State, Tuskegee University, Prairie View A&M and Southern University and A&M College. They are all majoring in electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science and data analytics.
“We have some success stories to share,” Morris said. “Three former students who went through this program and are currently working here in Little Rock.”
A welcome dinner at the Clinton Presidential Center will kick off events on Wednesday. The following days will include a careers panel, resume writing and interview prep, informational interviews and even career offers. The students will tour MISO’s control room and an Entergy substation. Professionals will also lead a power systems engineering boot camp.
$30,000 in Prizes
Four-member student teams will compete for $30,000 in prizes by solving tough cases in energy management. Industry recruiters will also be on hand.
Speakers and panelists will include John Bear, CEO of MISO; Barbara Sugg, CEO of SPP; William Cunningham, director of resource planning and market operations at Entergy Arkansas; Keith Collins, vice president of commercial operations at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; Derek Dyson, CEO and president of Today’s Power Inc. of North Little Rock, and dozens of utility and power transmission executives.
“The students will get a direct sort of lecture and lab experience with industry professionals in different disciplines,” Morris said. “The people who are keeping the lights on will let them know what it takes to work in the industry. And convey what it’s like to live here in Little Rock, too.”
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