I&M recently visited high school students in South Bend to share the wide range of careers it offers. The visit was in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Indiana Corridor.

During the conversation, line workers, crew managers and external affairs and communication professionals spoke about their career journeys, the skills needed to succeed at I&M and the many roles that keep homes, businesses and communities powered every day.

"Starting as a line worker and working my way up to district manager has shown me that this is more than a job - it's a career built on growth, hard work and service to others," said Brian Lett, Manager of Distribution Systems for South Bend and Elkhart. "It's rewarding to share the opportunities I&M can provide with students, especially those who may not realize the paths available in the utility and trade industries."

The students enjoyed seeing I&M's bucket truck, tools and safety gear up close. They were also asked several questions with a few mentioning they are interested in joining I&M one day.

"This is fun and important for us because so many young people are still deciding what their future might look like. By hearing from those in this field, students can see the trade industry as a strong, respected and rewarding career option," said Annie Smith, External Affairs Manager. "Every job we offer supports our mission of providing safe and reliable energy to the community, and we love showing young people they have valuable opportunities in their hometowns."

From line work and engineering to operations, customer service and various support roles, students learned that a career with I&M offers opportunities well beyond what many may initially imagine.

For more information on the career paths at I&M and its parent company, visit aep.com/careers.