How it typically works is that TECO’s safe, reliable and affordable electricity travels out across our service area to power the lives and positive potential futures of more than 750,000 customers and those who live and work alongside them.
But a group of teenage students turned that notion on its head last month when they journeyed into the heart of TECO’s Ybor Data Center to get a close look at a company they might one day join.
The power the students brought with them came in part from STEAM – as in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) plus art – and what’s helping them harness that power is Tampa-based nonprofit S.O.A.R. First, a mentoring and support group for youth in the Tampa Bay community. The connecting element in it all was Rebecca Washington, business analyst with TECO and S.O.A.R. First founder.
“In addition to an outstanding overview by Director Roland Miller of how TECO’s Information Technology team works, the students’ eyes lit up at the idea of careers with us or at other places where their STEAM knowledge will be key,” Washington said, adding that the visit had a lot of practical value for the young visitors too.
“There are so many critical roles at TECO that we don’t think about in our day-to-day activities; cyber security – protecting the electric system and our customers’ information, among other things – is definitely one of them. This insight helped the children understand how cyber security relates to them in their social media world.”
For his part, Miller welcomed the opportunity to share his expertise with the students.
“They had great questions and outstanding enthusiasm,” he said. “It was another reminder of how simple yet valuable it can be to share knowledge with our next generation of TECO customers – and who knows? Maybe even company leaders!”
For a company that turns 120 next year, it all adds up to a place where our people are working hard to serve the community. Not only with the power they rely on, but with the people power that aims to make the world a better place – as evidenced by the nearly 30,000 hours TECO team members collectively donated last year to people in need.
A few more hours are on the books in 2018 after a visit from STEAM students designed to turn the turbines of their imaginations.
“My passion in life is to give back to the community,” Washington said. “It’s easy to see what this means when you meet these students – like so many others, they just need to know they can succeed.”
And at TECO, they found a place eager to see that happen.
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