Tanner Nelson has always been interested in electricity.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to go to college, so he started working as an apprentice electrician. He soon figured out it wasn’t the best fit for him.
Then he saw a video of a lineworker dangling from a helicopter to work on power lines. Nelson thought that looked amazing and it sparked an idea.
“I decided I’d be the first one to go to college in my family,” he said.
Nelson is one of four interns working at Loup Power District this summer following their first year in the Utility Line Program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.
Loup hosts up to four interns each summer. Students in the program must complete an internship before continuing to their second and final year.
Columbus Crew Leader Mike Brabec said Loup employees teach the students a variety of skills. These include understanding what each piece of equipment is called, what it’s used for, and how to use it correctly. The students also become familiar with the trucks.
Vice President of Operations Dan Hellbusch said students also work both on underground and overhead lines.
“We try to give them a vast experience,” he said.
Most students are eager for this kind of work after a year of heavy classroom studies.
“It’s a lot more than what I expected,” said Nelson, who is from Columbus and working with the Columbus crews.
Hunter Holmgren is from Kansas and working with the Humphrey line crew this summer. He also was eager to get into the field this summer.
“I’m learning a lot more hands-on stuff out here,” he said.
Fullerton native Aiden Norman is working out of Albion. He’s following in the footsteps of his dad and brothers who are lineworkers.
“I’ve always been interested in it,” he said. “And I went to school and I liked it a lot.”
Justin Horn is back in his hometown of Fullerton for his internship.
He decided to pursue a career in utility line after talking to a family members about the job.
“I like doing hands-on stuff and working outside,” he said. “So I thought it would be a good career for me.”
He has learned how to put down the truck outriggers, set poles, and more.
“It’s definitely a good learning experience,” Horn said.
Hellbusch said it’s not just the interns who gather valuable knowledge over the summer.
“The big advantage is we’ve pretty much got a 100% hire who you know is going to work out,” he said.
In a way, internships are a preliminary job interview. Hellbusch said Loup employees work hard to teach the interns so that if there is a lineworker vacancy, Loup employees know that the applicant is well trained and prepared.
Human Resources Manager Amanda Henry agreed.
“It’s a great recruiting tool,” she said. “Loup employees can see the interns’ skills and dependability and how well they work in a team.”
Nelson isn’t regretting his move from electrician to utility line.
“I’m liking it,” he said. “I think I’m going to like it forever.”