Youth Tour Winner Jessica Whitaker Works at Cobb EMC as Summer Intern
Jessica Whitaker, a senior at Sprayberry High School in Marietta, had a different summer experience than the average high school student. Jessica's summer plans took a dramatic turn after she was awarded third place in Cobb EMC's Youth Tour contest, held annually for high school juniors. Jessica won a week-long leadership experience in Washington, D.C. with other students from Georgia and around the country. She also attended the Georgia Cooperative Youth Conference in Covington, Georgia and qualified to interview for a Public Relations internship with Cobb EMC. Jessica interviewed for, and won the summer internship.
As a Cobb Energy employee, Jessica encountered many opportunities to learn and grow. Below are a few examples of how Jessica spent her summer:
- Washington Youth Tour
- Georgia Cooperative Youth Conference
- Public speaking opportunities: Gaines Park Assisted Living; Toast of Cobb, a local Toastmasters International club; Cobb EMC Task Force Summer Social
- Planned and organized decorations for the Cobb EMC Task Force's Summer Social
- Attended a workshop on proper archiving practices for EMCs at the University of Georgia
- Assisted in the compilation of packets for Cobb County's new teachers at The Cobb Chamber of Commerce
- Attended Cobb Chamber of Commerce "First Monday" Breakfast
- Assisted in Electric Avenue safety presentation at Cherokee County's Safety Town
Jessica cites the EMC history archiving workshop at the University of Georgia as one of the most memorable experiences during her internship. She enjoyed seeing that the EMCs had "such an interest in history." But the event she enjoyed the most during her time at Cobb EMC was helping to organize the Task Force's Summer Social. She said, "there was a lot of work involved in getting it together, but it was really gratifying to see everyone having a good time that night. Everything came together and it was enjoyable for everyone."
Jessica says that during her internship she learned to be more assertive, how to be comfortable in unfamiliar situations and what it was like to work in a position that truly serves the public. She said, "I am different now in the way that I have learned to be more confident and to work with people. The internship helped me with my skills in serving the community. I think my experience will help me to effectively help my community and to accomplish my desires and dreams."
Jessica will speak about her summer experience at the Cobb EMC Annual Meeting on September 7, 2006.