Jackson EMC has 20 interns that work in a variety of departments at Jackson EMC. Now that it’s February, these students are finally settled into their spring semester schedules and into their jobs at the co-op. Walker Sosbee, our PR/Communication Intern, sat down to talk with a few of these interns to learn a little more about them and how Jackson EMC has made an impact on their future.   

We’ll kick off this series with Riley Stroud, a longtime intern at Jackson EMC. Starting out with the Oakwood engineering team, he is now working in the Neese district. Riley is a student at the University of Georgia where he is studying mechanical engineering and is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2024. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies? 

A: I have a few hobbies that I like, mainly fishing and hunting. I also enjoy spending time with my fiancé. 

Q: What’s your favorite TV Show?  

A: I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I love to watch the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturdays during football season. 

Q: What type of music have you found yourself listening to most recently? 

A: I usually listen to bluegrass. 

Q: What interested you in applying for the intern position at Jackson EMC? 

A: In high school, I participated in the FFA electrical competitions. I thought that getting a job at Jackson EMC would be a good step forward. I've heard that Jackson EMC has been beneficial to others when looking for a career in the electric industry. 

Q: Describe your role as an Intern at Jackson EMC. 

A: I do a lot of work with inspected poles. These are poles that have been inspected by a company that classifies them as “passing”, a “maintenance pole”, or a “reject pole.” Someone from Jackson EMC will then go look at those poles and determine what needs to be done. I get their notes back and draw those work orders, which helps in maintaining our system’s integrity. I also keep the circuit one-lines up to date for the Neese district. This helps linemen be able to perform necessary switching when outages occur. Other than that, I help in whatever capacity I am needed. This could include help with drawing other work orders for stakers, working on a project for the E&O supervisor, etc. 

Q: Have you had previous intern/job experience? How does it compare with Jackson EMC? 

A: I worked in my grandfather’s machine shop, and it was different from Jackson EMC because it was an assembly line. The biggest thing I learned from that job and growing up on a farm was what it means to have a strong work ethic.  

Q: What is the most exciting part of being an intern at Jackson EMC? 

A: I like learning more about automated switching and how that process helps get the power back on as quickly as possible. I also like to learn about how overcurrent devices play a role in turning the lights back on.  

Q: What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking about applying for an internship at Jackson EMC?  

A: If you get an internship at Jackson EMC, I encourage you to come in with a good attitude and be a hard worker every day. If you do this, the experience will be one the best work experiences for you. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your time as an intern at Jackson EMC? 

A: I am super grateful for the wonderful opportunity that I have been given to work here. In particular, I have been very thankful for everyone’s willingness to work with me and my schedule. They understand the importance and priority of my education. Jackson EMC is always willing to work with my changing schedule, I don’t think I could get that at another company.