"I work in Generation Engineering mostly out of the LG&E Center located downtown, but with frequent trips to various power plants. I have worked with high energy piping across the fleets, doing hot and cold walk-downs, troubleshooting various problems that may occur. I also create files in CAESAR II, CAD 3-D software that runs the system, to show the design movements of the piping. With this we compare the field findings with the designs to help prevent future problems. I also pick up jobs from other engineers, ranging from product research to the development of a new pipeline."
Christopher Sanders
Generation Engineering Co-op
University of Louisville, Mechanical Engineering major

"I have been working in the Maintenance Department to upgrade projects for Trimble County Station. I have been helping my supervisor in upgrading the DCS control system that will be installed during the fall outage. I have also helped on small projects around the plant for some of the mechanical engineers. I have helped in inspections on numerous areas throughout the plant, and performed calculations to compare existing equipment to new equipment that is being constructed on the TC-2 project."
Nathan Berry
Maintenance Customer Service Trimble County Co-op
Rochester Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering major

"My co-op assignment was in Generation Services which is now Project Engineering. My work assignments mainly dealt with major capital projects located at Mill Creek. On my first co-op in 1997, I was assigned to the duct work upgrades on MC4 as well as MC2. My main job was documenting the job's progress. This was a major learning time for me, and the people I worked with gave me the freedom to tag along in all areas of the project. I had the opportunity to see the MC4 turbine overhaul and upgrades to the MC4 boiler along with the duct upgrades. On my second and third co-op, I worked on the Mill Creek Gypsum project. I assisted with engineering reviews and contract development. After contract development, I oversaw small contracts. At the end of the co-op, I was undertaking more project management."
Jeffrey Heun, Civil Engineer III

"The main reason I chose them is because the tasks that I would be working on dealt with pollution control, which interests me given our current climate. Another reason is the beneficial role the company has had for the area's people, businesses and the city itself."
James Smith II, Generation Engineering Co-op
University of Louisville, Chemical Engineering major

"They offered a job environment that seemed more exciting than just sitting at a computer or in a small machine shop. There are also many opportunities to see how electricity is created and how big power plants are maintained."
Andrew Ulliman, Maintenance Services Mill Creek Station Co-op
University of Louisville, Mechanical Engineering major

"I was impressed with the opportunities that the position would provide to develop my skills and with the variety of experiences with different technologies that were available."
Amy Willenbrink, Programmer/Analyst

"Yes, in some ways it has exceeded them. I have been involved in many useful and meaningful projects. The knowledge I have accumulated is very valuable and continues to grow. There is equal time between office and field work, which helps keep everything in balance. I have also been to many training seminars and workshops that have led me to develop new skills (namely so in welding).I have also accumulated a vast knowledge of 3D CAD software and manipulating functions and writing VB code in Microsoft Excel."
Christopher Sanders, Generation Engineering Co-op, University of Louisville Mechanical Engineering major

"Yes, it was completely different than my past experiences and gave me a better insight into the dynamics involved in being a civil engineer."
Merideth "Bernie" Plummer, Project Engineering Co-op, University of Louisville Civil Engineering major

"Yes, because the people here trust me to complete the task. My supervisors have me doing projects that relate to my field of study. The people at LG&E have prepared me by giving me the experience and knowledge to do similar work after graduation."
Nathan Berry, Maintenance Customer Service Trimble County Co-op, Rochester Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering major

"The biggest thing it's teaching me is just how the business world works. Other things that I'm learning include first-hand knowledge that you can't get anywhere else, the opportunity to do things that I would never get to do in another field and learning what it takes to supply electricity to people."
James Smith II, Generation Engineering Co-op, University of Louisville Chemical Engineering Major

"The experience at LG&E is helping me to learn how to deal with people, solve problems and learn more technical aspects in generation plants that cannot possibly be taught in a school environment."
Nathan Berry, Maintenance Customer Service Trimble County Co-op, Rochester Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering major

"Yes, for the ability to have evenly distributed work in the office and the field and to gain further understanding of plant operations and common machinery. This is also a great way to obtain real world experience of work, both individually and as a part of a team." --
Christopher Sanders, Generation Engineering Co-op, University of Louisville Mechanical Engineering major

"The company is always looking out for its employees in terms of safety and well-being. They promote lifelong learning by offering many internal and external training opportunities."
Nathaniel Dorwart, Mechanical Engineer II Mill Creek Station

"This is a great place for a new engineer. There are great possibilities of advancement within the company. An electrical utility is a pretty secure employment opportunity compared to other industries - people will always need electricity. The company has a great set of values."
Mark Payne, Maintenance Supervisor Mill Creek Station

"Yes, for two reasons: I would still have the opportunity to work on things I find interesting and because of all the time and effort that went into training me for what I can do and what I now know."

"...because LG&E and KU takes care of their employees."

James Smith II, Generation Engineering Co-op, University of Louisville Chemical Engineering major

"Yes, because the company takes care of their employees. I enjoy how busy generation plants are and it's my goal to work somewhere in the power industry when I graduate."
Nathan Berry, Maintenance Customer Service Trimble County Co-op, Rochester Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering major

"I decided to continue my career at LG&E for several reasons. First, I was offered an engineer position with a competitive salary after my third co-op, which I was working part-time. I like the fact that the company reimbursed future college tuition and that management was flexible with my work schedule while I took my courses. I also saw room for advancement within the company."
Mark Payne, Maintenance Supervisor Mill Creek Station

"That was an easy decision. The people I worked for and with made me feel right at home. I enjoyed my work and decided after my first co-op to change my direction in school. My first goal was to go into design but after getting a taste of project management I changed my focus. Working on large-scale, multiple-year projects is a thrill because at the end you can stand back and say, 'I helped build that.'"
Jeffrey Heun, Civil Engineer III

"During my co-op, I realized the utility industry had some exciting opportunities. The benefits and financial compensation were very competitive with other firms I was applying to. The stability of the utility industry was very intriguing and the opportunity to live in a relatively large metro area (Louisville and Lexington) was also appealing."
Chad Randall, Senior Systems Operations Engineer

"I feel that my co-op experience opened the door to my current position. I took my co-op seriously and performed my projects and tasks professionally. I learned about the plant layout and various pieces of equipment. I also got to meet and work with all the people at the Mill Creek Station. If a co-op employee does very well, it gets noticed by management."
Mark Payne, Maintenance Supervisor Mill Creek Station

"The experience was a major help in my professional development. At the end of my co-ops I was hired part time to finish the gypsum project and continued to work on various projects while I attended college. Upon completion, I was hired to work full time and with my experience I was assigned as the civil engineer over the construction of 10 CT at Tiger Creek in Georgia. The experience was second to none, as I made contacts in the company and used these contacts within and outside the company as soon as possible."
Jeffrey Heun, Civil Engineer III

"I learned quite a lot as a co-op. I was introduced to many different applications in the company and developed programming, teamwork and problem-solving skills that have been invaluable in my current position."
Amy Willenbrink, Programmer/Analyst