MILWAUKEE — Some high school students are consumed with what they will do next after graduation. Some may consider a trade or specific career, but others are unsure what path to take.
Since 2017, We Energies has hosted Demo Days, an interactive field trip for local students. For some, the trip could turn into a career in the trade industry.
Cornell Tate is a senior at Golda Meir and one of We Energies’ apprentices; he had this opportunity last year when he took part in the field trip.
“A lot of people don’t like school. I’m a person who doesn’t like school. I don’t enjoy it, but I have to do it, so I feel like people that don’t want to go to college but still want a solid career should take advantage of this opportunity,” Tate said.
Cornell Tate is a senior at Golda Meir and one of We Energies’ apprentices; he had this opportunity last year when he took part in the field trip. (Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)
Students who attend Demo Days learn about things such as fixing natural gas lines, riding in a bucket truck and operating backhoes and diggers.
Alison Trouy, who works with We Energies, said this year about 240 students from the Milwaukee area are participating in Demo Days.
“They are interacting with our employees. We are taking notes: Are the students engaged? Are they asking the right questions? Is this potentially a good fit for them? And after that, students will get invited to conduct interviews,” Trouy said.
(Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)
Cameron McCullum is a prime success story of the program. He just finished the internship he attained after he participated in Demo Days when he was in high school.
He’s now a full-time general laborer for We Energies. McCullum said he believes it’s important for young people to consider the trades because dependable workers are in high demand.
Cameron McCullum is a prime success story of the program. He just finished the internship he attained after he participated in Demo Days when he was in high school. (Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)
“If there’s a big winter storm, who is going to fix all those frozen pipes or all the electric? People will be out of power. People will be out of heat. We need people to keep our everyday lives going,” McCullum said.
He said he’s proud that at the age of 18, he’s found his purpose and that people can rely on him
“It’s nice to have that feeling on my shoulders that everyone knows I’m dependable,” McCullum said.
(Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)
Tate said he feels the same and said he’s excited to finish his internship so he can get started on his future.
“I think it helps get kids off the streets, helps them get more involved in things that’s for the better. So I plan on doing this for the rest of my life,” he said.