April 5, 2022

In late 2021, Akron Public Schools (APS) kicked off a new after-school program called “Exploring Club” to introduce middle school students to different careers. FirstEnergy is one of 17 businesses and colleges who partnered with APS. Our employees shared their science knowledge and career paths to lead students in hands-on activities related to their career areas. A total of 16 employees from our IT, Engineering, Operations, Customer Contact Center and Workforce Development groups participated.

Here are some examples of our volunteers supporting the Exploring Clubs program.

Students at the Jennings Community Learning Center watched a demonstration of our Livewire Safety Trailer organized by the Engineering Department.

With a few of the students are, l.-r., back row: Alfred Terry Jr., line leader; Ron Carson, engineer V; Alex Lloyd, lineman A; and Matthew Eaver and Ronald Sanner, supervisors, Line & Substations. Kristen Citarella, engineer V, is front row, center. Active in the program but not in the photo is Randy Coleman, manager, Distribution Standards.

A group of IT employees showed students at Hyre Community Learning Center the value of flow charts and how they are used to troubleshoot IT problems. Participating in the presentation were: Renee Lucas, Network & Transport specialist I; Kathy Murphy, supervisor, IT Solutions; Rachel Peline, supervisor, MS Server and Storage; Ryan Hankins, Systems administrator A III; and Michelle Fike, developer V.

Renee (standing) works with students.

Members of Workforce Development, Operations and the Customer Contact Center provided numerous hands-on activities to students at Miller South School. Participating in the presentations were: Brian Kern, line leader; Doug Vujas, Substation electrician A; Larry Lallathin, senior distribution instructor; Emily Gibson, associate, Workforce Development representative; Nate Secrest, meterman C; Rick Schroth, general manager, Customer Contact Center; and Lance Fry, manager, Workforce Strategy & Planning.

(L.) Brian helps a student try on protective rubber gloves and sleeves. (R.) Doug shows students how a circuit works in the electric utility industry.