Energy news from Omaha Public Power District
Energy news from Omaha Public Power District
Video: Legacy I3 intern blazes trail as first to be hired full-time
When Omaha Public Power District created its first Legacy I3 class in 2017, utility leaders had their sights set on developing diverse, high-potential students they could some day hire.
In December 2019, Neyda Zavala became the program’s first intern to be hired full-time by the utility.
Zavala, part of the first of three Legacy classes at OPPD, works in the Customer Care Services call center. In this video, she explains where she found her motivation to succeed, and program leaders share more about their goals.
Video by Goswen Productions
So far, more than 60 students have been involved in OPPD’s Legacy program. High school seniors first go through a year-long boot camp, where they learn about character development, critical thinking, college preparation, the electric utility and the path from high school to college to the utility. Students then get paid internships at OPPD while they attend college or trade school, working closely with employee mentors.
Zavala said the program set her on a course that encouraged her to work hard and focus on her future.
Paula Lukowski has more than 34 years of corporate communications experience. By far, her favorite aspect of that role has been profiling the great work done by OPPD employees and retirees. A master gardener, Paula and her husband Mark have two grown children and two grandsons.
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