PECO helps STEM students find career development
PHILADELPHIA » As students across southeastern Pennsylvania head back to school, PECO recognizes the more than 150 high school and college students who completed the company’s various internship programs this year, which were focused in the areas of studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Each of these programs equips students with hands-on experience, workforce development and leadership interaction.
“At PECO, we are committed to supporting the advancement of education, with a specific focus on STEM programming and initiatives,” said Mary Krick, vice president of Human Resources at PECO. “Introducing students to STEM-related fields can ignite a passion that pushes them to become the future leaders driving innovation in our industry.”
Since 2006, more than 300 high school students have participated in PECO’s summer internship program. The internship program, which selects students through the Philadelphia Youth Network, introduces the participants to work experiences built on innovation and personal development, as it teaches students how they can help build the future of the energy industry.
PECO also provides summer internships to college students, with nearly 20 students participating in this year’s programs. Through PECO’s college internship programs, students can work in engineering and business-related departments or learn about the company’s natural gas organization and work in the field. These college interns are typically enrolled in local area schools, including Drexel University, Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, and Villanova University.
Broomall student achieves at Arcadia
CHELTENHAM » “Music is intertwined with everything I do,” declares Rebecca Zimmerman. a class of 2019 psychology major at Arcadia. Even so, she could not have predicted just how far music would take her.
Zimmerman’s love for music emerged during her childhood in Broomall. She credits her parents’ encouragement—and the guitar they gave her in second grade—with igniting her passion. Despite this early start, it wasn’t until becoming a music minor at Arcadia that Zimmerman took her first official guitar lessons.
Soon after, Zimmerman began branching out. She started a show on the University’s Arc Radio station to explore new genres and took lessons in piano and bass.
“You can find a teacher for any instrument with the Arcadia music program, even if you’re not a music minor,” Zimmerman shares. She continued to develop her skills by joining Kaytronalia, a fourpiece group that won Arcadia’s Battle of the Bands in 2017. “Being in a band really helped me develop as a musician and songwriter. It gave me the confidence to play on my own.”
Once she’d found her voice, Zimmerman promoted her music more widely, playing monthly gigs in bars and DIY venues across Philadelphia.
This spring, Zimmerman took her music career a step further by enrolling in one of Arcadia’s newest GFS courses, “Inspired by the View: The Beauty and Boldness of Ireland.” The class, which encourages students to draw creative insight from their surroundings, culminates in a month-long artistic retreat at the Burren College of Art in rural Ireland. Zimmerman used the time to expand on her music career through live performance and the creation of her first full-length album, “Expressions from Loose Pages.”
Looking to the future, Zimmerman plans to pursue a career in music therapy while continuing to develop her talent. For now, she plans to perform as much as possible.
Wilkes University
WILKES-BARRE » Ninetyone students in the honors program’s newest class include Jennifer Boch, of Folcroft, who is a history major and Emma Stauffer, of Media, who is in the prepharmacy guaranteed seat program.