Spotlight

While attending Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Angela Brulée learned about the lineman trade. While there, she started researching and learning more about careers in technology. She found that women are underrepresented in the energy technology field and was inspired to break those barriers.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“While researching careers in technology and women’s role in sustainable energy, I developed a passion for being the next female lineman. What I learned drove me to change the perspectives of women’s traditional roles in energy professions. I explored careers in electrical engineering, solar electricity, installation and maintenance and pre-employment physical fitness requirements. I also watched a video about an all-women rodeo team at Southeast Lineman Training Center and learned how they overcame challenges. Observing their strength and agility in climbing inspired me to pursue this career.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Safety is my family’s top priority at home, especially fire prevention. Therefore, I maintain the smoke detectors, ensure they are fully functional and regularly change their 9-volt batteries. Additionally, I educate my children, family and friends on the advantages of smoke detectors and their impact on decreasing physical injuries and property damage and protecting our neighbors and community.”

Growing up in a single-parent household, Ivan Castaneda and his mother experienced an unexpected loss of income and found it challenging to make ends meet. Due to the pandemic, Ivan lost his job, making him realize how important it was to find a new skilled trade. While volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, he admired the electricians’ confidence, skill set and passion to work with the community. As he learned more about electric trade, maintenance and utilities, he became determined to enroll at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to pursue a new career.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I want to be a lineworker because I believe in working hard to attain a career. Learning the skills and training to do the job requires physical strength and dedication. Pursuing a lineworker career is one of the best decisions I can make that will change my family’s future. I’m looking forward to being a lineworker and part of a team who cares about serving the community.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonate with you?
“Safety is one of my top priorities. I check my surroundings and environment and examine the equipment to ensure it is functional. I take precautions when interacting with the community to ensure clients are safe. I believe in serving the community and giving the highest standard.”

Jesse Chhing has been working with towing vehicles for the city of Long Beach Fleet Services Bureau and assists in traffic accidents. Chhing is inspired by lineman work and the importance of keeping the lights on for communities across Southern California. He also looks forward to helping the state with the growing demand for electric vehicles and clean energy.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I know how important this job is to our community’s livelihood. Without lineworkers to repair and maintain equipment, power will not be available to thousands of customers when there is a downed line or blown transformer. With California heading towards electric vehicles, the demand for lineworkers to help provide electric power will increase dramatically.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Safety should be everybody’s priority at work and being well-rested should be the start. I ensure all my protective equipment is in working condition and is not damaged. I also inspect my tow truck to ensure it is safe to drive and operate while working. I also check the safety straps and winch cables to ensure no tears or fraying. After performing my checklist, I can perform the job physically and mentally.”

Lazarus Fuentes has dreamed of being a lineworker since high school. He loves working outdoors and with his hands while safely overcoming challenging issues. He previously served his country as a U.S. Marine and is now excited to serve his community as a lineworker. He is excited to use his military experience by identifying and mitigating risks as a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“There's nothing like the sense of accomplishment that comes from hard work and overcoming large challenges safely. No matter how dangerous or hard the work is, the goal is to come home to my family every day knowing that I give my all in a job that I enjoy.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“I have learned over the years that safety is paramount to success. Planning and preparing before any activity allows for identifying and mitigating associated risks.”

Justin Johnston’s professional experience as an electrician is an excellent foundation to jump-start his future career as a lineworker. He understands the demands of the trade and looks forward to working on a team that prioritizes safety as much as he does.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I love the idea of working with my hands and outdoors. I know what this career entails and will give it my all to be part of a brotherhood where we are learning and working together to overcome the challenges of every job. Being able to climb poles, work from helicopters, install transformers and change crossarms has been my dream since I was young. I remember watching lineworkers change the power pole in my backyard and talking to one about the job. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a lineman.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Respect means everything, especially in a work setting. Respect goes both ways, so I always try to show respect to every individual I encounter. I always make sure to hear my coworkers when they are talking and not interrupt them because it can hurt someone. I also ensure not to waste my coworkers’ time by stalling at work. If something needs to get done that day, I do everything I can to complete it. I also show other trades respect at the job site by cleaning up my mess after I complete a job, so they have a clean area while they work.”

Nisifolo Lolesio served as an in-house traffic tech and landscaper for Par West, focusing on hard work and great attention to detail. Working alongside lineworkers as a traffic tech, he witnessed this unique skill trade that caught his interest. Lolesio knows he can become a lineworker because he is a self-motivated team player who focuses on safety and can adapt to any situation.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I want to become a lineworker because I find the work intriguing. I’ve spoken with many foremen and crews about the work and the steps to pursue this career path, and I even helped around the worksite to pick up new skills. After working alongside lineworkers and understanding their role better, I realized I am willing to do whatever it takes to become a lineworker.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Working as a landscaper and a traffic tech made me understand how important safety is and that safety always comes first. As an in-house traffic tech, I need to watch out for traffic, citizens and the crew to ensure nobody goes in the hole while someone is working on the pole, whether in the bucket or climbing it. It is hazardous for anyone to be near and around the work area. Always be aware of your surrounding area.”

Daniel Maldonado had worked with independent vegetation management services for many years when he discovered what linemen do for utilities and the community. Their hard work and dedication inspired him to make a career change.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“Being a lineman is a highly respected trade. After working as a groundman on a tree crew that trimmed trees around power lines, I started to learn what a lineman was and what they did. I saw how everybody held them in high esteem and realized it was because of how difficult yet rewarding the job is. I like work that requires overcoming obstacles and challenges as a team.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“I make it a point in my life to uplift others. There is so much suffering in the world; regular men who go to work every day are overlooked, and their pain and effort are not usually recognized. When someone voices their frustrations, I point out how valuable they were, how far they’ve come and how much they’ve learned. This almost always puts them in a slightly better mood."

Freddy McCutcheon is a former student-athlete. He worked hard to gain a football scholarship to San Jose State University and believes his experience working as a team will be valuable with his fellow lineworkers. He is excited to create a career path to share with his kids and grandkids.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I love the ability to provide service for my community and understand the need for energy will always be in high demand. The lineworkers I know love what they do and the life it provides them and their families.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“I have a duty to myself and my family to make it home every day and to my community to provide service without harm or danger to the environment. My why for being safe is my wife and children, understanding that I am the provider for my family. The most important part of the job is to perform every task, assessing every potential hazard and mitigating them to the best of my ability.”

Israel Mendez comes from a background in electrical work with Spectrum. His experience included servicing customers and providing internet service, which required him to climb utility poles with 60 pounds of equipment to conduct tests and run radio frequency signals to homes. He believes this is the perfect background to help him thrive in a career dealing with similar work settings. He is excited about the life-changing opportunities this job can bring to his family.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“Becoming a lineman is the next step to setting a good and steady foundation. At Spectrum, I service paying customers and provide internet, which requires me to climb utility poles and run radio frequency signals to the homes.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Respect resonates with me because there have been times when I needed help on the job, and my mentors have been there for me. They respected me enough to allow me to ask questions, and I shared that respect for them by taking their advice.”

Ubaldo Reyes Tapia envisions a career that allows him to give back to his community. He takes yearly trips to Baja, California where he works with orphanages to give away food to those in need. He hopes that by becoming a lineworker, he can create a legacy that his family, most importantly his mother, can be proud of. Working in the funeral industry, he has seen firsthand the importance of safety and personal protective equipment. He believes understanding will be vital when pursuing his linework career and executing the work safely.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I sincerely yearn for a career I can be proud of and enthusiastic about telling others my profession. I would love to be a steppingstone for my children and their children to enter into the electrical field.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“During the pandemic, it was crucial to be mindful of situational hazards and properly use PPE. Working in the funeral industry, I got to see firsthand how PPE could save lives."

Brandon Ross is currently in construction and has learned to work in an environment with a certain level of risk that can be minimized by prioritizing safety. Ross is looking forward to potential career growth and working for a company that values its employees and invests in their development.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“This line of work requires a unique combination of technical skills and physical endurance. It is a challenging job that demands great attention to detail and a commitment to safety. I am drawn to this profession because I thrive in environments that require quick thinking, adaptability and teamwork. I am confident that I possess the qualities required to excel as a lineworker, including strong communication skills, work ethic and a commitment to continuous learning.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“It’s important to implement a strong safety culture that includes everyone on the team. I take several precautions to remain safe at a construction site, including wearing the proper personal protective equipment, following established safety protocols and regularly inspecting the worksite and equipment. By prioritizing safety and committing to a strong safety culture, we can create a safer work environment for everyone involved and work towards achieving an injury-free workplace.”

Cortney Straughn currently works as a grocery delivery driver but misses the element of adventure and working outdoors. His experience in the U.S. Navy as an interior communications electrician has prepared him for a new career as a lineworker, and he looks forward to working hands-on with equipment and helping his community.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“There is no better satisfaction than helping your community when they most need you, such as in the middle of the night when a winter freeze knocks out power. I have the chance to follow a professional path of a lineworker, gaining knowledge and professional experience along the way.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Keeping my family safe and coming home safely to them every day is important. As a driver, it is up to me to take necessary precautions to keep myself and others safe on the road. Safety and accident prevention go hand in hand, and I pay close attention to both.”