to dream job
SmartWorks | page 4
D
ylan England was
like many high
school students
— school was OK
and he always passed his
subjects, but it sure wasn’t
his passion. But unlike many
high school students, Dylan
knew what he wanted to do
and was provided a pathway
to explore that career
interest.
“I was always interested
in becoming a lineman
and through the 12 for Life
program, I jumped at the
chance to co-op at Carroll
EMC,” he explained.
Dylan attended Temple
High School and as a junior
participated in Southwire’s
nationally acclaimed
cooperative program
that provides students
a place where they can
mix classroom time with
time on the floor at a real
manufacturing plant, gaining
an education, a paycheck,
key work and life skills, and
a diploma.
“I was working at the 12
Carroll EMC is a company committed
to co-operative education. It is awin-win
proposition—students receive career training
with pay as they work with professionals in
the career pathway of their interest. Employers
often fill their newhire vacancies with students
from their own co-op programs since they
already know the capabilities andwork habits
of the students they have trained.
One personwho is“forever grateful”for the
hiring potential of a co-op experience is Carroll
EMC President/CEOTimMartin. He started
with the company in a co-op positionwhile he
was an engineering student at GeorgiaTech.
“When I graduated in 1992 therewere
no openings at the time at Carroll EMC so
I went intomanufacturing for a few years,”
Martin said.“But I circled back and grewup
professionally with this company.”
Martin confessed that he didn’t have a clue
what hewanted to dowith his engineering
degree prior to the co-op experience.
“Co-ops allow you to seewhat you like
andwhat you don’t like about an industry,”he
said.“People gaveme a chance and I’mglad
to return the favor bymaking sure Carroll EMC
supports education. I am thankful our Board
of Directors is so supportive—we’ve had
student workers here for years.”
Martin said it’s awin-win situation.“We
get the advantage of having bright young
minds among us and the students have an
experience they can take into any industry.”
And for Martin, it was a doublewin-win.
Another co-op student was working at Carroll
EMC at the same time hewas—his future
wife!
CEO began as co-op student
Cover photo and feature photos courtesy of Carroll EMC and Aislinn Rain Photography
Lineman Dylan England, second from left, knows the value of teamwork and appreciates those who
enhance his role at Carroll EMC every day, including, from left, Tommy Cook, construction manager;
CoreyWebb, foreman; andDavid Huddleston, purchasingmanager and liaison for 12 for Life program.
From daydreaming




