Public Service Commission assisting with jobs in Mississippi

Are you worried that your children will leave Mississippi to find a good job in another state?

Are you worried that the career counseling your students receive is limited to just a few types of jobs?

Are you worried that when you look to hire qualified employees, you will have to go out of state to find them?

These are some of the questions that parents, students, education professionals, and employers are asking themselves as all Mississippians look for ways to improve the job opportunities for young people in our corner of the world. At the Public Service Commission, we see an opportunity within the utility industry to help answer some of these questions.

Central District MS Public Service Commissioner Cecil Brown staffers Susan Watkins, chief of operations, and Alex Washington, chief policy advisor, have developed a Utility Career Initiative with a goal to make citizens aware of career opportunities in Mississippi’s stable and innovative utility industry. Our vision for this new initiative focuses on academic curricular and workforce development programs at Mississippi’s four-year and two-year higher education institutions.

Mississippi statutes encourage the Public Service Commission “to take every opportunity to advance the economic development of the state.” In that regard, this new initiative is an effort to develop a strong and lasting partnership among colleges/universities, state agencies, public utilities, and lawmakers.

We believe that informing the public and all stakeholders of our efforts will allow everyone to come together to ensure that our high school students, college students, and graduates are aware of the great opportunities that exist in Mississippi.

For example, the Mississippi Energy Institute has found that the average annual salary for a utility lineman in Mississippi is $55,000. And in addition to the technical and field positions, utility companies have opportunities for lawyers, accountants, and human resource personnel who specialize in the utility industry, which is unique from any other.

The demands for these specialized jobs are growing at a rapid rate Mississippi. As an example, Entergy Mississippi has expressed a need to hire over 1,000 new employees over the next few years. This is huge for Mississippians. Entergy’s service territory covers 45 of Mississippi’s 82 counties; which means employees could live anywhere across the state.

Also, renewable energy and broadband technology are growing in our state. Trained engineers and installers who are prepared to work on solar farms and broadband expansion will be able to find employment in these growing utility sectors. Other utilities are hiring as well.

Over the next few months, we will continue to meet with all university and community college presidents and representatives from utility companies. We are stressing the importance of preparing students for the workforce and retaining our graduates in the state by making them aware of jobs in the utility industry.

When they are growing up most kids may say that they want to be a lawyer, doctor, or police officer, or something similar. All of these are great jobs, but we want our young kids and graduates to know that there are many other avenues they can take which will provide a comfortable way of life in Mississippi.

For the most part, utilities offer good compensation and benefits, stability and career paths. In addition, there are telephone and cable companies, electric power companies, water and sewer systems and gas companies throughout the state. As a result, a Mississippian who wants to stay here has a good chance of building a career near home.

It is our hope that by working, planning and bringing awareness, the Public Service Commission and members of Mississippi’s utility industry can create a Pipeline to Employment.

So again we ask:

Parents are you worried about your child’s future?

Career Counselors are you worried about student internship and job placement?

Utilities are you worried about finding qualified applicants?

This initiative will ease the worrying. We are here to help! Contact our office if you are interested in learning more about our Utility Career Initiative. Or look on our web site for a link to job opportunities and internships that are available at various utilities.

Both employees of The Mississippi Public Service Commission, Central District,  Susan Watkins is chief of operations and Alex Washington is the chief policy advisor.