Late last year, SDG&E joined other California utilities to launch Careers in Energy Week, an initiative that was commemorated by California Gov. Jerry Brown as part of a nationwide effort to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and address the need for a qualified and diverse energy industry workforce.
“By supporting programs like Careers in Energy Week, SDG&E hopes to help schools prepare our next generation of leaders for the future,” said Nancy Smith-Taylor, SDG&E’s manager of diversity & workforce management. “After reading the many essays from this program, I am optimistic that many of the students that participated will pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math and possibly help us to build our future workforce.”
Promoting higher education
The program targets high schools, community colleges, and universities and helps reinforce the viable opportunities around STEM curriculum within the energy industry. During Careers in Energy Week, students were given the opportunity to win cash prizes through essay writing contests and innovation idea challenges around the theme: STEM - powering the future workforce of the energy industry.
On February 6, SDG&E hosted a Career in Energy Week Reception at SDG&E’s Energy Innovation Center to thank the teachers and students for their participation and announce the winner of the essay contest.
Essay Contest winner
During the reception, SDG&E awarded James Diestel from San Diego High School with the grand prize for submitting the winning essay about the importance of STEM education. Click here to read James’ winning essay.
“I would like to thank SDG&E for understanding that these kids are our future and programs like Careers in Energy Week are extremely important in helping my students learn more about STEM education,” said Jennifer Ducat, teacher from San Diego High School.
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