A recent career fair at Nashville High School in Arkansas highlighted over a dozen diverse career opportunities within the electric utility industry, sparking interest among students in potential future roles at SWEPCO.

Organized locally, the Nashville Career Fair featured nearly 30 regional businesses and manufacturers, providing students with a valuable opportunity to explore various career paths. SWEPCO's participation showcased a broad range of roles, from power plant operations to fieldwork in distribution, offering insights into the skills and education needed for success in these careers.

Texarkana DSS Thomas Cigainero shared his personal journey: “As a boy, I was able to take a ride in a bucket truck with a dear friend and neighbor, Billy Cook. In that moment, I knew this was the career for me,” said Cigainero. He engaged with students about the abundant opportunities available throughout the industry.

Other members of SWEPCO’s Texarkana District Distribution team including Lisa Thompson, External Affairs Manager; Nakia Oxley - Sr. Admin Assistant; Jacob Williamson, Troubleman; Heath Gammage, Troubleman; and Zac Pianalto - Engineer,  joined Cigainero to provide hands-on experiences, allowing students to familiarize themselves with essential tools for performing energized work, such as rubber sleeves, personal voltage detectors, gloves, hot sticks, and more.

For these career fair volunteers, it was a day to connect the students to a particular area of their work but also offered a chance for them to share why it’s more than a job, it’s a vocation.

“I love working at SWEPCO because it provides for my family,” explained Jacob Williamson, a troubleman in the Nashville area. “When storms come in knocking the power out, I can do my best to restore power as quickly as possible to my community and with the safety protocols that have been installed I can make it home at the end of the day to my family.”

Career pathways were also a topic many shared with students as they described how they began their careers, what skills were needed to be successful and the importance of camaraderie.

“SWEPCO provides opportunities for personal and professional development that contribute to my family,” said Heath Gamage, a troubleman in the Nashville area. “Working here has allowed me to build lasting relationships with colleagues that make me feel like I belong here, and I enjoy doing for our community.”

Additionally, Turk Power Plant team members Garry Palmer, Anita Tompkins and Joey Osborn offered students the opportunity to interact with the Turk Power Plant digital simulator to see first-hand what operators might encounter in their efforts to maintain a continuous power supply.

For Turk Power Plant Operations Specialist Garry Palmer, events like this can have a significant impact. “Even if there’s just one person who is inspired by our work and makes this their vocation, that’s worth it,” said Palmer.

Throughout the half-day event, team members were present to answer questions, share their experiences, and discuss the rewarding nature of their work in the electric utility sector. This engagement not only educated students about potential career paths but also strengthened the connection between the community and the skilled workforce that powers their region.

For three SWEPCO team members, it was also an opportunity for their children to see them describe their day-to-day work: