It’s National Engineers Week and our I&M engineers play a vital role in delivering safe and reliable power to our customers and communities. For Candace Petrie, Distribution Project coordinator, every job is different, but each one requires problem-solving skills.

Candace Petrie, Distribution Project coordinator, with three of her seven children.

How long have you been at I&M and in what roles?

I’ve been with I&M for seven years and have spent my time with the Network Engineering and Special Projects department. I started as an engineering technologist and now work as the Distribution Project coordinator where I work alongside and manage three other engineers.

How would you describe your job to someone not working in the industry? 

I help with customer services inquiries, specifically how we build their new service into the electrical system if they are in one of our downtown locations. I also proactively engineer and design work orders to increase reliability of our network. In recent years, I’ve been involved with special distribution projects.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Every job is different. It makes the day go by so quickly trying to problem solve all the different scenarios sent my way. The people I work with are also so much fun that the comradery is part of the enjoyment.

Any advice to those wishing to be an engineer?

Engineering is about problem solving and thinking about things from every perspective. My advice -- question everything. 

If you are interested in joining the I&M and AEP team, click here to learn more about the wide-variety of careers we offer.