Electrical Maintenance Intern, Wyatt Espenschied, continues to develop the technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities needed to build a successful career in the electrical maintenance field.
Throughout the summer, Wyatt worked alongside the electrical maintenance team on a variety of daily work orders across the plant. Every day brought a new challenge, from troubleshooting electrical issues to completing maintenance repairs. One of his recent projects involved diagnosing a pump switch that had stopped working at the water tanks. After troubleshooting the system, the team determined the cause of the failure and made repairs. Wyatt also had the opportunity to replace a cooling fan motor, completing the rewiring and installation himself under the guidance and supervision of experienced team members. He also assisted with relocating conduits on the roof, gaining additional experience with electrical maintenance.
One of the biggest areas of growth for Wyatt has been his communication and troubleshooting skills. “Every day we receive different work orders, so I’m always learning something new,” Wyatt shared. “I enjoy figuring out what the problem is and working through it step by step.” When he first started, he said the terminology felt like a different language. As the summer progressed, he became much more comfortable understanding electrical systems, discussing issues with his coworkers, and communicating effectively to determine the next steps in solving a problem.
Wyatt feels he has accomplished the goals he set at the beginning of his internship, especially when it comes to electrical issues and understanding where problems originate during the troubleshooting process. He credits the hands-on experience with helping him gain confidence and develop practical skills that can’t be learned in a classroom alone. “The guys in the shop have been really helpful and are great at explaining how everything works,” Wyatt said. “I learned a lot about electrical systems in school, but seeing everything in person and working on it is completely different.”
His favorite part of the internship has been being fully involved with the crew and the work itself. “I’ve really enjoyed how hands-on this internship has been,” Wyatt said. “The team shows me what to do, but they also trust me to do the work. Having work orders all around the plant has allowed me to see so many different aspects of electrical maintenance.”
As Wyatt returns to Southwestern Illinois College this fall, he is excited to continue his education with a new perspective. “My biggest takeaway is learning how to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations,” he said. “The troubleshooting skills I’ve developed have taught me not to give up on a problem and to keep working through it until you find the solution.”
We thank Wyatt for his hard work and dedication this summer and wish him continued success in the future!