Students learn about careers in energy at BEAM event
Mississippi Power’s sponsorship of the Blacks In Energy Awareness Month event helped expose more than 80 area high school students to career opportunities in the energy industry.
The 13th annual event, held at the company’s Operations Center, is made possible through a partnership with the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.
“AABE and Mississippi Power are both committed to creating awareness of energy careers and providing educational opportunities in the community,” said Danielle Kimbrough, Mississippi Power public relations and communications representative. “The annual BEAM event is just one of the many ways we’re helping to build a future workforce of energy professionals for the industry.”
It coincides with Energy Action Month and the state of Mississippi’s Careers in Energy Week. Students earn the chance to learn about careers in energy, participate in tours and interactive activities, and gain personal development skills.
“You’re hearing from some of the best and brightest in our industry,” said Johnny Atherton, vice president of Public Relations and Corporate Services. “Today’s event is all about you, because you are your biggest asset.”
Students attending the BEAM event were challenged to work together in groups and face-off in a contest to build the highest tower with ordinary household items. They also heard company employees give professional testimonies and offer advice on everything from transitioning from high school to college and personal branding.
“Your digital persona is equally as important as your physical presence and personality,” Kimbrough said. “How we treat others on and off line defines our personal brands.”
That message hit home with Gulfport High School senior Karen White.
“I not only enjoyed the talks on the industry, but also the great advice on personal branding,” White said. “I hope to apply for internships or jobs at Mississippi Power, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. I try to make sure I don’t put anything out there on social media that will harm my future.”
White added that she wanted to attend the BEAM event after watching her stepfather work as an electrician.
“I want to get my foot in the door with this industry, and this is the place to get the exposure and learn about potential job opportunities,” she said. “It’s great to see the different areas of Mississippi Power and how they all work together to make a great company.”
Gulfport High classmate Abraham Laredo made his second trip to the BEAM event after attending as a junior last year.
“I enjoyed it last year,” Laredo said. “When I first heard about the event, I was excited to actually see the business in person. When I saw the opportunities, it really started to sink in that I could do this.”
Moss Point School District Lead Counselor Burt Jackson also brought his students to the event for the second straight year and said he sees his students immediately become engaged during BEAM activities.
“When we get here, the kids are learning and they’re excited,” Jackson said. “They need to be exposed to this environment, and Mississippi Power is the perfect venue. We appreciate the company for not only hosting the event, but for having the employees volunteer their time to speak to the kids.”
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for nearly 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power ranked first in the Southeastern Electric Exchange’s 2016 Safety Performance Reports and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in reliability, customer service and safety. Visit our websites at www.mississippipower.com and www.mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.