GreyStone helps students at College and Career Fair

GreyStone Power Corporation employees recently took part in a College and Career Fair at East Paulding High School, where they shared information on career opportunities with juniors and seniors. Approximately 726 students participated in the event, which brought together representatives from 22 businesses as well as 15 colleges and universities. Participants also included representatives from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corp.

East Paulding High School’s Work-Based Learning Coordinator Carole Golden organized the event and said “the main goal was to help students explore post-secondary education and career options. The event also reinforced soft skills such as networking, appropriate introductions and handshakes.”

Students were given bingo cards with tasks such as finding a career that works outdoors or finding a college that offers a degree related to Marketing and Management. The center of each bingo card asked students to see a soft skills specialist. Students that earned a bingo on their card were entered into a drawing for door prizes donated by community businesses such as Huey Luey’s, Texas Roadhouse and Zaxby’s.

Golden says students responded positively to the event. “Several students that didn’t think they would be able to continue their education right out of high school talked to college reps at the fair and found out college was an option for them,” she said. Other students learned about careers they didn’t even know existed, and one student made a connection that led to an internship.

GreyStone Safety & Loss Control Director Blake Pendley along with Training & Development Coordinator Sandy Thompson attended the event and spoke to students about the variety of careers available in the electric cooperative world. Golden emphasized the value of having businesses at the event that students would recognize.

“Having community leaders like GreyStone involved in these events is so important. Students recognize the corporate name and often times know someone who works there. They will initiate a conversation with the GreyStone reps because they feel like they already have a connection with them. These conversations often turn into ‘aha’ moments for the students as they realize that career opportunities at GreyStone go well beyond that of linemen. In addition, having GreyStone at these events shows our students that GreyStone is invested in their education,” said Golden.

GreyStone Power serves more than 107,400 members in portions of eight counties, including Paulding, Douglas, Fulton, Cobb, Carroll, Bartow, Fayette and Coweta counties. Learn more at www.greystonepower.com.