28 students are putting their knowledge to work as part of OUC’s 2025 Emerging Talent Internship Program this summer. A collaborative effort between OUC’s Talent Acquisition and Talent Development teams, the internship program offers a dynamic mix of hands-on experience, professional growth opportunities, educational workshops and one-on-one mentorship with an OUC employee. The program aims to cultivate the next generation of industry professionals and form a talent pipeline for future full-time roles.
The reach and reputation of OUC’s internship program continues to expand, with a total of 1,888 applicants this year. Of the selected 28 participants, 55% are currently enrolled at the University of Central Florida, 39% represent other Florida universities, and 6% are from universities outside the state.
In 2023, the Talent Development team incorporated a mentorship component for employees to grow their leadership and supervisory skills. Since then, 92 employees have completed the mentorship training program.
The interns’ introduction to OUC began with a two-day orientation. On their first day, the interns heard from Latisha Thompson, Chief Employee Experience Officer, and representatives from across the Commission. On the second day, Clint Bullock, General Manager & CEO, kicked off the day before the interns toured OUC locations including Reliable Plaza, Conway Water Plant, Pershing and Stanton Energy Center. For most of the interns, the trip to Stanton and Conway marked the first time they had visited a power plant – and the first time they had to wear a hard hat and safety goggles.
OUC looks forward to seeing the innovative work the interns bring to the Commission this summer!