I have applied to several power plant operator apprenticeship positions and I’m waiting for replies. If there is more I can be doing with this or networking connections someone can offer I’d greatly appreciate it.
Answers
Hi Joshua,
I won’t repeat the advice already offered. You could vastly expand you potential employers if you look are cogen facilities and micro grids. Most large university campuses, government installations, and heavy industry manufacturing locations will have a few megawatts of generating capacity coupled with a bottom cycle to capture heat or additional power. The DEP has a database that you can see all the permitted generators. https://www.epa.gov/energy/about-us-electricity-system-and-its-impact-environment
Feel free to reach out if you would prefer to speak live.
Dave
I’d suggest that you network at the target company or industry. Use LinkedIn to find people already working there and reach out to them. Ask them the process they used to get hired and ask them to help you navigate the hiring process and if they are willing, ask them to submit you as a referral. These activities require much more time on your part but in my opinion would greatly increase your chances for success. Good luck!
Hello Joshua.
I just did a quick search of "Army Prime Power School", and it sounds like good intro to power generation. I had an employee, a technician, that had a two year technician degree, and he had no problem getting a job in the power industry. He started out climbing poles IIRC. I dont think you will have any problem getting a position with your Army background. I would suggest studying up on civilian power grid specs and implementations, for additional preparation for interviews. Also, as always, if you can be working towards a degree, that always helps, looks good on a resume, and is good to be able to say in an interview.
Lastly, make sure you have a good resume. It will get you the interviews. I have put together a document for vets going to civilian jobs, with the emphasis on generating a good resume. I will be happy to send it to you. Just message me requesting it.
Good luck !
I've added some job search links to my EE webpage:
http://eehot.com/ee.html#jobs
In case there might be some additional opportunities:
Did a few searches - Commercial :
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=diesel%20driven%20power%20plant%20maintenance&l&vjk=34a9e5bff43d93df
Local & state gov
https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs?keyword=diesel+driven+power+plant+maintenance&location=
Federal Gov
https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?k=diesel%20power%20generator&p=1
Links in these sections of the EE webpage might be useful:
http://eehot.com/ee.html#va
http://eehot.com/ee.html#networking
http://eehot.com/ee.html#resumes
http://eehot.com/ee.html#training
Or you could use the Jump index at the top of the EE webpage:
http://eehot.com/ee.html
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