Cruz Hulsey

USE TECHNOLOGY TO LEARN, LIVE, AND WORK

During my internship with Portland General Electric I have been exposed to a variety of new

technology. I have been really fortunate to have access to internal project management systems so that

I can follow along with the projects I am observing and studying. My main focus is on a substation

improvement project for the downtown Portland Core Area. Part of my access includes security and

confidentiality issues. For instance, I am not able to share specifics about budget or potential impact to

areas involved.

I have been included in meetings discussing the legal ramifications of sharing information that

has not been reviewed by the legal team or discussions where things have gone wrong in the process. I

have learned that high profile cases for utility departments draw attention from city, state, federal

regulations, and also media and potential environmental concern groups. Access to this information

though the internal project management system is very complex.

I have learned to work in a share drive with many different departments contributing

information and requests. I have been able to be a part of the scheduling process (only because my

internship mentor is the lead project management engineer) and have sat in on calls where people have

been held accountable for misconduct or missing a deadline. I have also been part of the proposal

interviews and say how companies submit bids for the work.

With this experience I have a better understanding about how much depends on quality

technology to keep things running smoothly, on schedule and on budget. People who are not

comfortable learning or working in the new systems are either dismissed or demoted, so it literally

impacts their life and work in a real way.