POWERGRAMS

23 When CJ Dunham, Marcus Powe and Brandi Vines made their first virtual career opportunity presentation for seniors at Birmingham's Parker High School, they had no idea what to expect. The Alabama Power LEAP (Linemen, Engineers and Apprentice Program) volunteers are old hands at reaching out to students face to face. But with COVID-19 changing the way students are learning, the volunteers knew they had to adapt. "There is nothing like seeing the real-time response in person as you speak to students," said Dunham, a West Jefferson engineer who has been a LEAP volunteer since 2019. "But, as we tell them in the presentation, we should not be afraid of change and/or making adjustments. The way of living may have changed but life itself has not stopped. So instead of using these times as a roadblock, we chose to make the necessary adjustments needed to get this information to the students to help them be beer- prepared for their future." Powe, 12th Street engineer in Distribution, agreed that the lack of face-to-face interaction was a challenge. "A lot of times we can see or tell if the students are interested in what we do, or if they are excited about the information we are giving them," said Powe. "Presenting virtually is a different take on presenting, but as long as the information is being passed to them, then we are doing what we are supposed to do." Dunham, Powe and Vines, Corporate Headquarters Power Delivery Connectivity and Innovation project manager and LEAP adviser, presented the program for the Parker High students, along with three counselors and instructors, via Zoom in late 2020. "I thought the program was awesome and still very informative in a virtual seing," said Jeanine Lile, Parker High School senior counselor. "The students were very engaged. The presenters provided real-world experiences and examples that gave a lot of background information about the career opportunities available through Alabama Power. They were very thorough and knowledgeable about the company. I give the presentation my highest recommendation." LEAP is made up of Alabama Power and Southern Company employees who mentor and encourage high school students to consider careers in the energy industry. The organization was created to educate students about the career opportunities available to them in the skilled trades, engineering and technology. LEAP volunteers reach out to students through classroom – and now virtual – presentations, career fairs, expos and similar events. Samantha Whorton, chairperson of the Birmingham-area LEAP organization, said switching to virtual presentations was a no-brainer. "We didn't want the pandemic to slow us down from reaching out to students," said Whorton, Corporate Headquarters Power Delivery Connectivity and Innovation engineer. "We still want to be a resource for them. Now is a time when they may be asking more questions. "The energy industry is obviously still going strong during COVID, maybe even more so," she continued. "Our employees may be working from home, but they are still working. Power has to be on and so we want students to see this is a great career opportunity." Whorton said the LEAP organization is working with the Birmingham City Schools to schedule virtual presentations throughout the school year. Volunteers have also made presentations for Carver High School seniors and Bryan Elementary School fourth graders. Virtual career opportunity presentations are scheduled for Woodlawn, Ramsay and Wenonah high school students. Whorton said she has learned that good communication is the key to presenting successful virtual programs. "We have to talk to the career coaches to find out on the front end whether the students are meeting virtually or in person, or if there is a combination of the two," Whorton said. "Depending on how the class is meeting, it could change the way the presentation is set up. "If most of the students are back in the classroom, we will need to make sure the teacher has the presentation set up in a way that we can hear and see all of the students and, at the same time, they can hear and see us. There are different challenges when the entire class is virtual, and even more challenges if there is a mix of virtual and in person." Although the method of presenting the program has temporarily changed, Dunham and Powe said it's important that students still hear the message. "The students are the future," said Powe, a LEAP volunteer for eight years. "They will be in the workforce in the years to come, and it is imperative that they are enlightened and educated on what their interests are. The students may not wish to be with a utility company, but it is still good to get the wheels turning regarding their likes and dislikes when it comes to making a decision regarding their careers." By Carla Davis VOLUNTEERS SWITCH GEARS TO MENTOR STUDENTS EDUCATION to Online

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