Would you like to look into your
future? Seven high school students are
getting that opportunity this summer as they spend two weeks at Westar
Energy. The students are from Topeka
High, Topeka West and Highland Park.
During their time at Westar, they will learn about the utility company
and how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) play an important role for those
employed by Westar.
The program helps students in Topeka
Public Schools, but also benefits Westar.
“In five to ten years, we will be losing 50-60% of our work force, so
how do we recruit the next best and brightest,” said Westar Recruiter Kim
Konecny. “We want them (students) to
understand that STEM is going to be important in K-12 to be successful.”
One of the objectives of the program is for students to come up with a plan to get students of all ages excited about
possible careers at Westar. The students
presented their plan to Westar and Topeka Public School staff at the end of
their two week program.
Topeka West student John Works was one
of those involved in the Westar program.
“I think it was an excellent program.
There were a lot of new opportunities I did not know that Westar
had. I learned about many jobs like
power marketing and what they do here and what it has to do with saving
customers money.”
Last year, ten high school students were
involved in the Westar program.
