The Lansing Board of Water & Light employs a wide range of professions. As a result, we seek to teach and retain excellent future employees to build our workforce through BWL's Student Programs.
1st STEP
The BWL's 1st STEP -- or the School to Training and Employment Program -- gives local area high school seniors a work-based learning experience and an opportunity to obtain the skills to enter the workforce. 1st STEP has graduated over 150 students, hired more than 20 full time employees and awarded over $260,000 in scholarships since 2008. The program also received the Capitol Area Michigan Works Prosperity Award in 2014.
Requirements
Students interested in participating in 1st STEP must complete the following activities:
- Attend the 1st STEP Student and Parent/Guardian Orientation Session
- Complete the 1st STEP application and essay
- Develop a working portfolio
- Complete the BWL interview/tour
- Drug test for employment
Benefits
- Career exploration opportunities
- Learn while working a real job
- Structured process that requires students participation in activities necessary for learning/training and potential employment success
- Experience that helps students succeed in future jobs and in college
- Potential to be paid while working
- Potential for a $2,000 scholarship to a college in Michigan
Eligibility Criteria
- High school senior
- Age 17 by January 1
- Overall GPA of at least 2.0
- Future plans to live and work in the Greater Lansing Area
- Plans to pursue post-secondary education and training in skilled trades beyond high school
- Able to work up to 3 hours during the school day (ending by 2:30 p.m.) on school co-op/Internship program
- Be drug free
- Dependable and hard-working, and dependable transportation (ability to get to work on time)
What's next?
Contact your high school counselor or your area's Job Placement Coordinator to get started. If you have any questions about the program, contact BWL at (517) 702-6400.
Internships
The BWL Internship Program provides college students a unique opportunity to develop professional skills and gain experience in their fields of study. Students are paired with a mentor from their department and learn through real projects and work. Internships are 13-weeks and typically run from May to August.
Applicable Majors
The following are majors that may be considered for a BWL internship:
- Accounting/Finance/Planning
- Asset Management
- Customer Service
- Emergency Management
- Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Construction)
- Environmental - Chemistry Lab/Carbon Neutrality
- Human Resources
- Information Technology (IT)
- Legal Services
- Operations Technology (OT)
- Safety
- Security
- Work Management
Requirements
- Must be a college student currently enrolled in courses within their area of study
- Must be classified as a junior or senior status during the summer of internship
- Overall GPA of 3.0
- Pass a drug test and background check for employment
What's next?
Students interested in applying can do so by applying on the Current Openings page.
Co-op
Co-op positions at the BWL are part-time (maximum of 254 hours per week) paid positions, providing college students with practical, on the job experience. The BWL may offer Co-op positions to students with or without academic credit attached. The Co-op program will employ students year-round, and start and end dates will vary as Co-op students may be onboarded and off-boarded at any time.
Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA to enter the program
- Maintain 3.0 GPA throughout Co-op program and submit grades to Human Resources
- Achieve 24 credit hours per year
Benefits
The BWL will use the Co-op program to provide meaningful opportunities and skill development for students and has the potential to lead to full-time employment based on business need, skills match and interest. The Co-op program is a tool for students to gain on the job experience and test the BWL as a place of potential future employment.
What's next?
Students interested in applying can do so by applying on the Current Openings page.