Behind the Power
Summer internship gives student a look inside cooperative careers
By Tanya Marchun, Communication Specialist
Grand Junction, COLO. (August 17, 2026) Most people think of lineworkers when they picture an electric cooperative. This summer, intern Lane Karo discovered there’s much more behind the scenes. Grand Valley Power launched a summer internship program to introduce young adults to the many careers that keep an electric cooperative running and to provide meaningful, hands-on work experience. The 12-week internship has broadened Karo’s perspective, exposing him to engineering, communication, dispatch, warehouse operations, safety, and other departments. “We want to provide an opportunity for youth in our community to take the next step in their educational path and open the door for them to see what’s possible — lineworker or otherwise,” said GVP Operations Superintendent Mark Shaffer.
Engaged in roles across the cooperative, Karo gained an understanding of how each department works together to serve members. Working with a line crew, he helped install padmount transformers and junction boxes in a new subdivision while learning proper safety practices. In the dispatch center, Karo created a service order and observed how Grand Valley Power tracks projects from start to finish.
Across the hall in operations, Karo learned how Grand Valley Power uses drone technology for inspections and mapping. “I learned how to fly a drone and how we use them to inspect poles and substations,” he said. “The GIS Analyst showed me how the data helps create maps of the system.” Karo also worked with the communication team to produce Grand Valley Power’s annual meeting video. He gained experience with professional equipment including a green screen, lights, microphones, and a teleprompter.
According to GVP Chief Executive Officer Chrystal Dean, the internship is designed to help students discover if a cooperative career path truly fits before they invest years into pursuing it. “We want to set students up for success,” Dean said. “Students may come into the internship with a specific career path in mind, and this opportunity will either reinforce that direction through real-world experience or spark an interest in something new they hadn’t previously considered.” The goal is for students to come away with support, connection, and a stronger foot forward on their educational journey because of their experience at Grand Valley Power.
Investing in young people is one more way Grand Valley Power practices the cooperative principle of Concern for Community. By giving students tangible experience, the cooperative hopes to strengthen the communities it serves. “We are proud to invest our time and efforts into our youth, our communities, and each other,” Dean said. “That is the heart of Grand Valley Power.”