SECO Energy hosts Students for Inaugural Engineering Industry Tour

SECO Energy hosted students from the Villages Charter High School on April 21st for the inaugural Engineering Industry Tour. Students arrived at the SECO Energy headquarters for a substation tour led by SECO technicians and hands on presentations from SECO Engineers.

Students were divided into groups to explore the substation at headquarters and learn more about the daily lives of SECO engineers. Students learned about the various interesting roles that substation technicians serve and got a chance to learn about the varying types of engineers employed by SECO, providing them with insight into the diverse career paths within the energy industry. 

One student who was in attendance, Zion Lumpay, said “I didn’t realize how much goes into the energy industry. I knew some of the jobs such as lineman and electrical engineers, but this industry tour has completely opened my eyes to the complexity of the work behind providing energy for our school and community. As someone who wasn’t initially interested in this line of work, I’ve developed more of an appreciation for what this company does, and this tour has piqued my interest to look into future opportunities with SECO where I may potentially fit.”

Terri O’Neal, SECO Energy’s Community & Government Affairs Consultant, stated “I would like to sincerely thank all the students who participated in our Engineering Industry Tour, I hope your visit provided valuable insight into the many opportunities available within the field.” She continued, “We are committed to investing in the future of the communities that we serve and aim to educate, support, and inspire the next generation of leaders, some of whom may one day join our team.”

Following these breakout sessions, students heard from SECO Energy’s CEO Curtis Wynn, who delivered a speech highlighting SECO Energy’s commitment to community engagement and telling his own cooperative career path, which began at the same age as many of our students who were in attendance.

While addressing the students, CEO Wynn stated “I am truly impressed by the talented students that I have interacted with in our local communities, and I hope you have enjoyed your behind-the-scenes opportunity to explore future career paths and learn from your SECO hosts.”  

 Students listen intently as a SECO technician answers a substation related question.

Group of Engineering Day Students pose after the event.  

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 265,000 homes and businesses across the Florida counties of Sumter, Citrus, Marion, Lake, Levy, Pasco, and Hernando. SECO is the seventh largest in the nation. SECO's wholesale power provider is Seminole Electric, one of the nation's largest generation and transmission cooperatives, serving nearly 2 million consumers in Florida. Seminole is owned by nine electric distribution cooperatives, and SECO is one of those nine member-owners. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.