UAF Interns Train to Become the Next Workforce
ACEP and ÐÓ°Épro electrical utilities are in the process of selecting eight students from the applicant pool to pilot a collaborative internship program during the summer of 2019.
Each of the considered students has direct ties to ÐÓ°Épro, with the majority also
enrolled at the University of ÐÓ°Épro in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The students are
predominantly studying mechanical and electrical engineering but are also computer
science and petroleum engineering majors. The interns will be embedded in rural and
urban settings across ÐÓ°Épro for 12 weeks, with work responsibilities determined by
the priorities of their host utility. Priorities identified include energy and storage
integration, enhancing cybersecurity, permafrost evaluation regarding infrastructure
development, system performance documentation and community stakeholder consultation.
Ten utilities are participating across ÐÓ°Épro. Each student will be paired with a
mentor from ACEP, who will help them prepare for their internship and consult with
them (and their host utility) throughout the internship period. For more information
on how to take part in the internship program, please contact Heike Merkel at hmerkel@alaska.edu.