Mississippi Power participates in Careers in Energy Week
As part of Careers in Energy Week, Mississippi Power employees visited with high school students and discussed the benefits of working in the energy sector at the company’s headquarters in downtown Gulfport, the Anthony J. Topazi Operations Center, Plant Watson and North Forrest High School in Hattiesburg.
Governor Phil Bryant declared October 13 – 19 Careers in Energy Week in Mississippi to highlight the vital role of the energy industry in the state’s economy and the importance of educating and training the next generation of energy professionals. Mississippi Power requested the proclamation to support its efforts to encourage education necessary to develop a skilled workforce for the future.
Hattiesburg Area Manager Annie McMillan spoke to juniors and seniors at North Forrest High School in Hattiesburg on Tuesday. McMillan shared details of her career and the education needed to work in the energy industry.
“Science, technology, engineering and math courses are the core curriculum in the world of energy,” McMillan said. “If a student is proficient in these areas, the chance of them finding a rewarding, life-long career across the energy spectrum is enhanced.”
Arnie Williams, Community Development project manager, spent Thursday leading Jasharee Epting, a senior at West Harrison High School, on a tour of several of the company’s facilities in Gulfport. Epting was presented with an overview of the company’s operations, including a tour of Plant Watson, where electricity is generated, and the Anthony J. Topazi Operations Center, where the company’s transmission and distribution centers are located.
“Jasharee is currently ranked 3rd in his class and has an incredibly bright future ahead of him,” Williams said. “He’s getting an overview of how Mississippi Power operates and getting a chance to meet some of the men and women that keep the lights on for our customers.”
In the proclamation, Gov. Bryant said, “energy generates commerce, fuels economic growth and provides careers to tens of thousands of Mississippians.” According to the Mississippi Energy Institute, more than 20,000 people work in the energy industry in Mississippi.
Mississippi Power supports education year round throughout the service territory with programs in schools, summer camps and scout groups. Some examples of those programs include; classroom visits, plant tours, career fairs, the iCan engineering program for girls, Engineering is Elementary presentations to students, Safety City displays at schools and Pathways to Possibilities – a community-wide career discovery event for eighth graders to learn about careers and the skills needed to reach their goals.
Jobs in the energy industry are some of the top paying careers in Mississippi according to the Mississippi Energy Institute with an average salary of $63,456 in 2010, almost double the average private sector annual salary of $33,524.
You can learn more about Mississippi Power’s education and workforce development programs by clicking here.