College Ambassadors / PPL Co-operative Associates In Their Own Words...

College Ambassadors
From Co-operative Associates to Full-Time Employees

College Ambassadors

Steven Hughes

As a second year co-op for PPL Electric Utilities, I have gained vast knowledge preparing me to make the critical transition between college and the professional world. In both of my co-op terms, I was able to make numerous connections. I took advantage of the networking opportunities the program provided, which will help me gain opportunities for jobs in the future. I find it important that as the current job market continues to become challenging, that college students take advantage of co-op programs offered at corporations such as PPL. The experiences I gained at PPL differ from other opportunities offered at other companies. I had the opportunity to interview and talk to three of PPL’s executives and gain important information about what makes the company a success in the current economic decline.

Along with the numerous important networking opportunities, PPL provided me with an excellent group of co-workers in both summers, which helped to guide me on several important projects totaling over $1 million dollars of assets. Many of my friends have worked for companies where the value of jobs never exceeded the price of several pieces of paper. PPL has given me the valued professional experience and trust that will be with me throughout my life.

Looking back at my experiences in the Cocalico Service Center and in Distribution Planning as an electrical engineer co-op, I am excited to help offer others the opportunity I have had at PPL. PPL has shown me the skills of teamwork, company trust and co-worker loyalty, which will allow me and others to grow as a valuable employee in the global workforce.

Co-op terms: Summer 2009, summer 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: Pennsylvania State University
Major: Electrical engineering

Natalya Surmachevska

I was thrilled when I got a position as a co-op in East Marketing at PPL EnergyPlus. Just prior to beginning my co-op, I read a book about the energy business and realized that it was much more complex than I thought it would be. So I came to work not knowing what to expect.

Looking back, I realize that there was no need to worry. From Day 1, I was integrated into the PPL team – not as just a co-op, but as a member. I quickly learned many aspects of the business, from writing parts of contracts and managing the online database to working with the marketing firm on upcoming billboards and marketing strategies. About a month into my co-op, I was handling everything that was thrown at me, and it felt good. One member of PPL EnergyPlus gave me weekly lessons about the energy market, so all the material I had read in the book became clear as the weeks went on. And through the meetings and interviews with PPL executives, I got a really clear picture not only of the energy business but also of PPL’s role in the business as an energy expert.

My experience at PPL has been a great supplement to my education in international relations and economics. Rather than just learning the theories and ideas behind how our economy works, I got to see the nuts and bolts of a particular company. This has given me a better understanding of economics and thus has been extremely beneficial to my career. Furthermore, working at PPL has given me confidence in my own abilities and has given me the exposure to the business world that I desired. I could not ask for anything more and am so grateful for the opportunity.

Co-op terms: Summer 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: Lehigh University
Major: International relations and economics

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Brittany Sprung

The co-ops I have pursued at PPL have been some of the most advantageous opportunities presented to me while completing my degree. I have worked at PPL for a total of 1.5 years and have completed four semesters of co-ops. During this time I had the chance to work in a variety of positions and truly experienced what it means to be an engineer.

Completing a co-op at PPL enriched me in many areas; I learned about working in a corporate environment, how to be part of a team, and what to expect when I graduate and begin job searching. During my stay here I developed many friendships with co-workers who gave me great advice for the future.

I truly recommend to every college student to apply for a co-operative position at PPL. They offer positions in all different areas; it’s not restricted to just energy- and engineering-related majors. It is an excellent way to enrich yourself as a student and future employee.

Co-op terms: Spring-fall 2009; summer 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: Pennsylvania State University
Major: Nuclear engineering

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Scott Sechler

I’m so glad I was given a co-op opportunity with PPL this past summer. Like always, the summer seemed to fly by at hyper speed. But in the three short months I spent with PPL, I’ve learned more than years of classes could have ever taught me. At PPL, I was the Human Resources department’s: College Relations Co-op, working in the Talent Management Department. My main duties focused around the overall co-op program.

My experiences at PPL served as an excellent supplement to my classroom experience as a management major at Bucknell. With this degree, I hope to begin my career in an HR-related field. Also at Bucknell, I am a member of the wrestling team and an employee at the Career Development Center. I certainly feel privileged to have witnessed both sides of the interactions between employers and university career centers. I definitely feel confident moving forward in my career.

As a PPL ambassador, I look forward to interacting with fellow students to help them clarify their career interests and direction. I know that I cannot go wrong by directing them toward PPL because I’ve personally witnessed the passion and values that the organization upholds. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to co-op with PPL.

Co-op terms: Summer 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: Bucknell University
Major: Management

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Christina Colon

This summer I interned with the Structuring department at PPL EnergyPlus. I was assigned tasks that challenged my intellectual ability and enabled me to utilize and expand on the knowledge I gained as a student. It was the first internship I’ve had in which I felt that the work I was doing really made a difference in my group and would have a lasting impact on the day-to-day operations of those that I worked with. My major assignments included back testing for a new trading model and programming new and existing models. One of my most satisfying accomplishments was seeing a template I had built to analyze heat rate options being used and of service to my group.

My supervisor and those that I worked with were always more than willing to share their knowledge and experience with me. I felt very much welcomed into the group and was not afraid to seek help or ask questions whenever necessary. In addition to the quality of work I was doing, the networking opportunities available through the co-op program were endless, and I know will serve as a pivotal aspect in the advancement of my career. All that I’ve learned during this internship will certainly benefit me in the future, and I am thankful for having had the opportunity to work for such a great company.

Co-op term: Summer 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: DeSales University
Major: Marketing

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Jennifer McCusker

My experience as a co-op in Corporate Communications at PPL has been excellent. I have been able to complement my Lehigh education with real-world applications of what I learn in class. This opportunity has helped to prepare me for my future career.

As a co-op, I have never been assigned busy work. I always have people to interview and various articles to write. I have been able to tour the Susquehanna nuclear plant and attend a nuclear drill, where I acted as a news reporter. I was also able to attend the annual shareowners meeting, which was very beneficial. My department has been supportive and treats me like a co-worker instead of an intern. I’m so grateful for my experience here.

The co-op program has also been great. I’ve had exposure to six top executives here, including the chief executive officer. I’ve been able to learn about PPL’s different business lines, network with various employees and other co-ops and work on team-building skills. I’ve also enjoyed being part of the Co-op Events Committee, which plans after-business-hours activities for the co-ops.

I could not be more pleased with my time at PPL, and I would recommend the co-op program to any motivated student looking for a great summer work experience.

Co-op term: Summer-fall 2010
PPL Campus Ambassador: Lehigh University
Major: Journalism and global studies

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From Co-operative Associates to Full-Time Employees. . .

Meghan L. Smigo

I was not sure what to expect at the start of the internship and was definitely very excited and a little nervous. Although my nervousness faded away my first day as my supervisor and co-workers were very welcoming and treated me as a colleague, assigning tasks and audit work that mirrored their own projects.

The co-op position also exposed me to international areas with the subsidiary companies that PPL conducts business with, which allowed me to utilize my Spanish-speaking skills and really provided a strong foundation on the corporate experience.

Directly relating to my degrees of Spanish and political science from the University of Rhode Island, I was offered a position within PPL Global as compliance coordinator. The transition from college to the working environment was extremely fluid due to the amazing internship I experienced and the great people and integrity of PPL.

Compliance Coordinator, PPL Global

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Danny Jarrah

My internship at PPL provided me with the opportunity to step into a prestigious company and become a design engineer after graduation from Penn State University with a degree in electric engineering. I was given challenging problems and meaningful jobs providing solutions for customers and gaining hands-on field experiences. It's my belief that a cooperative, interactive, educational experience is essential for a college student's future.

Engineer, Transmission Design
PPL Electric Utilities

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Renee Garin

My co-op experience provided me with an extremely valuable opportunity to see how many different aspects of the company come together in order to make the company work as a whole. I learned so much, and it complimented my course work at Moravian College, where I obtained my B.A. degree in economics-finance. The great co-op experience prepared me for a career at PPL.

Accountant, PPL Cash Management Group

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Lee Comstock

My co-op experience at PPL allowed me the opportunity to apply my classroom knowledge to real-world applications. I completed two co-op blocks at the PPL Susquehanna nuclear power plant, the first one in Station Engineering, and the second in Site Design engineering. Being a mechanical engineer, I got to see actual large power plant equipment such as heat exchangers, centrifugal pumps, compressors and various types of valves rather than textbook drawings or pictures. Both co-ops provided me with meaningful and challenging work that I took pride in. After graduation I have decided to continue my career at PPL Susquehanna in the Site Design engineering group.

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