Summer 2018 marked a special milestone for the Partnership in Excellence for Research and Learning (PERL) program: its largest intern class to date.
Ten students from universities around Indiana chose to spend their summer learning and growing at Citizens Energy Group, working on real-world projects in subject areas such as information technology, environmental, geographic information systems (GIS), water and sewer, just to name a few.
The 2018 class represents 100 percent growth from the five interns selected in 2017 and is a great indicator of the quality of the internship experience students have come to expect here at Citizens.
PERL program coordinator Becky Schaefer, Manager - Planning, Underground Engineering & Construction, said, “The internship program helps Citizens identify our future workforce and provides interns with a holistic experience that gives them an accurate picture of what it’s like to work here.”
For Jordan Brehm, a sophomore studying industrial engineering at Purdue University, and son of John Brehm, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Citizens has presented an opportunity for him to gain more than just practical engineering experience.
“Not only have I been able to participate in hands-on projects, but I’ve also had the opportunity to build my communication and teamwork skills while observing the culture of a large company like Citizens,” said Brehm.
Interns have the chance to interact with employees at every level of the company, as well as contractors and community partners, providing exposure to areas they may not have previously considered.
Brad Berglund, an environmental and ecological engineering major who will be a senior at Purdue this fall, has spent part of his summer working on a project that aims to take different byproducts from some of Citizens’ facilities and find a possible synthetic topsoil that can be blended together from these materials.
He said, “This undertaking has required a lot of research on my part, and I’ve been able to further develop my collaboration skills by working closely with Heritage Research Group.”
Interns also participate as a group in community and Trust events and training sessions, further expanding their knowledge base. Some of this summer’s group experiences included participating in River School with Friends of the White River; receiving overviews of everything from wastewater collection and environmental stewardship to DigIndy and STEP; learning about professional development; getting to talk with officers and much, much more.
Schaefer said, “Our hope is that upon completionof their internships and graduation, interns consider returning to Citizens in a professional capacity.”
Kyle Rodebeck, an IUPUI senior on track to graduate in May 2019, is interested in doing just that.
“After I earn my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology, I plan to pursue graduate studies and eventually would like to return to Citizens, possibly as project manager/project specialist,” Rodebeck said.
Joe Nagy, Engineer I at Citizens, started out as an intern while he was a student at IUPUI studying mechanical engineering.
He said about his experience, “My internship provided me an opportunity to explore the utility industry and apply my technical skills. It acted as a stepping stone for my professional development and career.”
Toward the end of the summer, as they prepare to return to their campuses, interns have a chance to reflect on the valuable lessons they’ve learned at Citizens.
Wes Steffy, who is studying economics at Butler University and energy engineering at
IUPUI through Butler University’s Engineering Dual Degree Program, is walking away with wisdom that is key to succeeding professionally.
“I have learned that you don’t necessarily have to know everything or do everything correctly, and that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them,” he said.
The summer 2018 interns are an impressive bunch, and we wish them well as they head off to another year on campus. With any luck, this isn’t the last Citizens will see of them.
2018 PERL Interns
Brad Berglund, Purdue University
Jordan Brehm, Purdue University
Alexander Carlson, Indiana University
Nolan Elsbury, Purdue University
Rebekah Hardin, IUPUI
Jemesia Jefferson, Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology
Fu Xuan Kwan, Purdue University
Tyler McCormick, Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology
Kyle Rodebeck, IUPUI
Wes Steffy, Butler University & IUPUI
