What A Senior Operations Engineer At Northeast Power Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Power Industry
Ryan, a Senior Engineer, Operations Coordination, revealed the demanding 24/7 nature of the job, emphasizing that "the power grid never sleeps" and requiring constant availability for calls at any hour, a reality that surprised Ryan but has led to greater appreciation for the dedication of those in similar roles. The lack of public awareness regarding this demanding aspect of the career is a key takeaway.
Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges, 24/7 Operations, Shift Work, On-Call Responsibilities
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ryan McSherry
Senior Engineer, Operations Coordination
Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc.
University of Texas Austin (2009)
University of Texas Austin (Power Systems Engineering)
Engineering - Electrical
Energy & Utilities
Operations and Project Management
Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. The power grid industry demands 24/7 availability, requiring work on nights, weekends, and holidays.
2. The role often involves 12-hour shifts, especially for those directly in control rooms.
3. Even in support roles, you can receive calls at any time from control centers, highlighting the always-on nature of the job and the need for constant vigilance and responsiveness
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I probably should have seen the writing on the wall coming into this position. But again, I don't think the general public realizes it's a 24/7 job.
This is especially true for those on shift in the control room, working 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays. In a supporting role, like mine, you're on call and can receive a phone call from any control room you support, whether it's the middle of the night or on the weekend.
I've learned to appreciate that the power grid never sleeps. There are individuals out there making sure reliable electricity reaches the end user.
As I said, it's something I should have been aware of when taking the position, but I've certainly grown to appreciate the people in my role.