After participating in a career fair for local high school students early last year, Jennifer Stansberry, Governance and Board Affairs Manager, felt inspired to encourage more outreach among 9th-12th graders.
Students at the Scecina and Warren Central High School Career Fair made a lasting impression on Stansberry with their good grades, clear goals, and intent to attend college in Indiana. Many of the students inquired about internship opportunities after hearing more about Citizens from Stansberry and other employees working at the company’s booth.
Stansberry proposed the idea for Citizens to pilot a high school co-op program as a way to help the company meet its long-term goal of becoming an employer of choice. Human Resources supported the idea by implementing guidelines for the program and assigning Kenya Logan, Senior HR Generalist, as the Team Lead.
Meet Nevaeh
Fast-forward to almost a year later. Warren Central High School Senior Nevaeh Jenkins has just begun her second semester of working at Citizens after coming on board last July.
Under the direction of Sara Mamuska-Morris, Director of Treasury, Jenkins works at Citizens’ General Office three hours each afternoon, assisting those in the Treasury department with tasks such as invoice processing, bank balance reporting, and mail distribution.
Mamuska-Morris said the co-op program has been a win-win. “Our department had a need for some part-time help when the co-op program was being developed,” she said. “It’s been great because we are able to get more work done with Nevaeh on board, but also provide an opportunity for a student to learn and grow.”
Kenya Logan, far left, and Jennifer Stansberry, far right, serve as mentors for Warren Central senior Nevaeh Jenkins, second from right. Jenkins reports to Sara Mamuska-Morris, second from left.
Jenkins, who has been accepted into the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, fit the need within the Treasury department and has gained skills that will help her in future endeavors.
“As my first job, this opportunity has opened my eyes and I’ve enjoyed gaining real work experience,” Jenkins said.
Among some of the highlights of the first semester for Jenkins, who is member of the National Honor Society, were participating in a 6S project, meeting with PERL Ambassador Abby Cudworth, and job shadowing Jackie Edwards, Customer Service Associate II in the Contact Center.
Jenkins also assisted Human Resources with a career fair for the Center for Leadership Development, a program that fosters the advancement of minority youth in Central Indiana. That opportunity encouraged her to participate in the program, from which she graduated in December.
Jenkins also meets regularly with Stansberry and Logan, who both serve in a mentoring role for her.
“Nevaeh and I discuss her progress, any needs she may have at work or school, as well as future goals,” Logan said. “She is a pleasure to work with and is willing to take on any assigned task. I am very proud of her accomplishments thus far.”
As Citizens prepares for its future workforce, it is important to build a strong pipeline for current students to find employment. Logan said she is hopeful that Citizens will be able to partner with other high schools within Marion County after the pilot program with Warren Central. To participate in the high school co-op program, students need to be in senior high school; preferably be interested in Business, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Math; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and an excellent attendance record; and be available to work during normal business hours.
For additional information on Student Employment Programs, contact Logan at klogan@citizensenergygroup.com or visit the Human Resources page on iTrust to view the High School Co-op Program Guide.
