Eric Lee is studying computer science at the University of Pennsylvania and making the best of his summer as an intern in Southern California Edison’s Asset Management and Planning department. He turns data into dashboards for various projects, including analyzing emergency response times and vehicle allocation to district service centers across SCE’s service area.

“It feels surreal. Just last year, I was still in high school, and now I can apply the things I learned in the first year of college across Southern California,” Lee said. “The data helps me identify concerns and suggest resolutions within districts across SCE’s service area. This experience has been beyond what I had imagined.”

Lee is also a 2022 Edison Scholar, Edison International’s program to help students pursue a college degree in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).

This year, 172 students participated in SCE’s summer internship program, which began in 2015. The company’s University and Campus Relations team was able to throw multiple in-person events after two years of virtual internships. From intern and mentor bowling mixers to volunteering events, there were plenty of opportunities for interns to meet, network and make connections across the company.

“As these students gain invaluable real-world experience, they are laying the foundation for a successful career,” said Tricia Joyner, SCE principal manager of Talent Acquisition. “We aim to cultivate a pipeline that nurtures talent and empowers these individuals to join our company’s mission in driving our communities toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Daniela Sugih, a University of California, Berkeley junior, says her internship with SCE’s Wildfire Safety Project Management team has been a welcome challenge.

After a ride-along with a Transmission and Distribution inspector just three weeks into her summer stint with the company, she helped develop a process map of the tablet application SCE inspectors use in the field to inspect poles, troubleshoot equipment issues and identify conditions requiring remediation. During a field visit, she also witnessed drones in action that support the T&D Inspections process. These asset inspection activities help mitigate the wildfire threat throughout the company’s service area.

“The aerial inspections were super cool because I got to see them fly a drone to capture images of poles and observe how InspectApp is used,” said Sugih. “It’s helpful for me to see what issues they were facing and what questions they find necessary for their work.”

Samuel Skarin, a senior at the University of Southern California, is completing his second internship with SCE. This year, he joins the Demand System Management, Quality Assurance/Quality Control team to support energy efficiency and demand response assessment projects out of the Technology Test Center. The group studies and evaluates residential, commercial and industrial equipment, from heat pumps and water heaters to smart electrical panels. The data is used to provide SCE customers with information about energy-efficient, clean energy appliances for their home or business.

"Working in this department has given me a lot of fulfillment because we’re helping customers save energy, reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency,” Skarin said.

And they're helping to create a brighter career future for themselves.

For more information about SCE internships, visit edisoncareers.com. Internship positions are typically posted in the fall.