Abilene employees Jared Asbill and Shaun Mccleese visited Wylie High School to speak to students taking construction and electrical courses. Asbill graduated from Wylie High School and said he enjoyed getting to be a guest speaker because he would have appreciated the opportunity when he was a student.

“We didn’t have classes like this when I was there and I really wish we would have,” he said. “I was excited when he asked me to come speak to them because I got the opportunity to do something I wish someone would have done for me when I was that age.”

Students learned the process it takes to get electricity to their home and what type of training is needed for line work. Students also learned about the personal protection equipment lineworkers use every day. Many students showed interest in becoming a lineworker and asked questions about education, training, salary, as well as health benefits.

“It’s pretty cool seeing kids that young already wanting to become linemen,” Asbill said. “For me, it really was a full-circle moment. If I can help educate these kids on what we do, what the job is really like, and how fulfilling a career as a lineman can be, then I’m all for it.”