After serving in the United States Army for four years, Calvin Arent returned home to Eau Claire, Mich. He was looking for a place where he could use his skills attained in the Army to flourish in a career.
“Lucky for me, I found a career working at I&M and serving my community providing power to homes and businesses,” Arent said. “My skills I used everyday serving our country – from teamwork to communication to problem solving -- I now use as a line worker.”
Arent served in the Army from Sept. 2008 to March 2012 as a mechanic stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division. Arent also deployed for a year to Afghanistan. Post-military life found Arent working for a company where he traveled a lot, which didn’t afford him the time to be with family and friends. In 2018, he submitted his application to be an I&M line worker.
“I quickly found out I&M is a veteran friendly employer,” Arent said. “I went through I&M’s Baer Field Training Center where I was trained with a big focus on how to safely work on power poles, power lines and all the equipment we use to keep power flowing. The great thing for veterans – I was able to use the GI Bill and turn my apprenticeship into a degree.”
Once training is complete, lineworkers receive a certificate from the Department of Labor recognizing them as a journeyman across the entire industry. The apprenticeship can be turned into an associate of applied science degree by taking six additional credit hours with West Virginia University at Parkersburg. After 6 years at I&M, Arent loves learning something new each day since no job order is the same.
“Line work is perfect for me because it’s challenging, I am able to be outside all of the time, it’s a physical hands-on job and I get to think outside the box,” Arent said. “I enjoy working at I&M the most because of the camaraderie in the line department – we are each other’s keeper.”
There’s a place for Arent and other veterans to network, provide professional development and lift the contributions of veterans and active-duty military veterans at I&M and AEP. The Military Veterans Employee Resource Group (MVERG) welcomes all employees with military connections – whether that’s veterans, reserve-component military members, military spouses or those who align with the ERG's mission.
“MVERG aims to help those in need through community service, recruiting veterans from all military branches to strengthen our workforce and provide a needed support system for employees,” Arent said. “I&M honors its veterans and the sacrifices we’ve made and continue to make.”