Duke Energy

P&C Engineering College Co-op

May - July 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

In this role I was responsible for updating impedance calculations and helping other engineers with their projects. I enjoyed working on many different types of projects because it helped with my overall understanding of electric utility engineering. I also liked going on job site visits to see components in real life. I liked applying what I learned in the field to the work I was doing in office.

What I wish was different

I had a great co-op term and don't have any recommended changes. I learned a lot through this experience, but I know there is still more to learn in the protection and control field. Every project had new challenges and required new problem solving methods. I am grateful for the time that I spent in the protection and control group and for the level of difficult concepts that I was exposed to. It was a great starting point for my career. I am looking forward to learning from other groups at Duke Energy and continuing to increase my understanding and experience.

Advice

The biggest piece of advice I would share is to ask questions. I learned so much from asking questions and follow-up questions. You may think that you are bothering people, but they are more than happy to explain. The whole point of a co-op experience is to learn, and asking questions is a great way to do so.

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Engineering Intern

May 2021 • Hickory, NC

What I liked

I liked being able to build on my previous utility experience. I was able to broaden my knowledge on how overhead power line projects are designed and built.

What I wish was different

I wish I had started earlier with my internship. As in, I wish I had been able to work multiple summers as an intern, instead of just one summer.

Advice

Learn as much as much as you can from experienced engineers and always ask questions!

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Civil engineering co op

August 2018 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

Great atmosphere to work in. I'm challenged everyday and I'm able connect classroom learning with real world applications

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Working in the substation engineering department, I was exposed to most if not all fields of civil engineering.

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Substation Engineer

May - August 2019 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

The diversity of the group I was working in. For the most part, I felt like my personality fit well among the mix of people I was working with. This made working there more fun, and created a great atmosphere for me to learn and get knowledge.

What I wish was different

I wish my manager was less stand-offish toward me. I don't think he had a problem with me outright, but for a very easy-going guy, the way he interacted with me was very different from how he interacted with other (male) workers- even other (male) co-ops. Sometime I get this reaction from people and I've been told it can be because some may feel threatened by a young black woman trying to do her thing- especially in a male dominated field. I don't know if that was it, but I wish I could have had the same relationship with him as some of the other co-ops.

Advice

Don't let them see you sweat. One thing I got knocked for in my review was the fact that everyone felt like I was too hard on myself. I don't really understand how you can ding someone for that- especially when I already have to work twice, three times as hard as my white male counterparts. I wish the people who gave me this critique knew how many nights I'd come in the office after I got off of my other part-time job and spend hours there working, until it turned 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning. Not getting paid for any of these nights or weekends- and not really wanting to either. I just wanted to deliver quality work, and did what I had to, in order to do that. I am generally not a very pessimistic person, but I do recall a few times I had outwardly chastised myself for not knowing something, or messing something up. If I could go back, I would have kept these instances to myself and never let anyone hear me criticize myself. I work to hard not to be critical, but moving forward in life and my career, I will definitely keep it to myself since it apparently makes people view you in a negative light.

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Summer Intern

May - August 2019 • Charlotte, NC

What I liked

Duke Energy had a great internal culture that was friendly and willing to help if I had any issues. The location where I worked was also easily commuted to since there was multiple bus stops near the building and I could just park at a "park and ride" bus station south of Charlotte. The company had a very modern and welcoming feel that I was not expecting.

What I wish was different

The project I was working on when I arrived there was mostly long spreadsheets so I did not get much experience in software development or any applications. The amount of time it took to get approval so that I could accomplish certain tasks was significant so I ended up waiting half of the internship for approvals that came up as necessary.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would offer is that meeting people while at the internship can net you important contacts that will help secure you a job later on.

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customer delivery

May - August 2019 • Clarksville, IN

What I liked

I recieved the same training as new full time employees. Also was encouraged to work many different sides of the job

What I wish was different

I wish I had gotten to do more hands on work.

Advice

Look for more work to do.

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Electrical Engineering Intern

August 2017 • Lake Mary, FL

What I liked

Very hands on experience where I was able to perform at an entry level position for several month in different positions.

What I wish was different

I wish they would have told me how to improve as I went along, however a cultural fit was not made because of my learning style. I was not informed of this until my exit interview.

Advice

Asking questions is important, but quality over quantity is important. It must be made very clear that you have given thought to all questions before asking them.

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GIS Intern

May - August 2018 • Charlotte, NC

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Great experience to find out whether or not a corporate environment is for you or not!

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Mechanical Engineering Co-op

January - August 2018 • St. Petersburg, FL

What I liked

The program gives you many opportunities to grow as a professional by creating reports and presenting a capstone project in front of the company. I also found that the quality of the assignments was second to none for a intern-type position and consisted of considerable amount of field experience.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Engineering Co-op

May - August 2018 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

The company has a unique co-op program set up; Duke, as a whole, wants to let all of its co-op students and interns to experience more than just their required duties and jobs. Duke employees make sure the students feel comfortable and they ensure the students see many aspects of the business as well.

What I wish was different

I would have liked to see more departments while in this position, but the department I was in was so new (less than a year old) that there was a lot of work to be done!