Mother of three finds her passion working on a line crew
November-December 2024
Megan Simmons is about halfway through her apprenticeship as a lineworker with the Delaware Electric Cooperative.
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Growing up on a New Jersey farm and competing in a variety of youth sports, Megan Simmons thought she found her calling as a utility locator at age 19. A short pursuit of a nursing career led to the realization that she was meant to work outdoors.
Now living in Millsboro, Del., and a single mother of three, Simmons took eight years off to raise her children and rejoined the workforce in 2020, once again as a utility locator. A portion of her contracted work was with Delaware Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Greenwood. She seized an opportunity to join the co-op family at Delaware three years ago. Though new to the co-op industry, Simmons came aboard equipped with experience in her field and an eagerness to excel at DEC, known in the area as a great place to work.
A discussion with two DEC linemen who were participating in a job-shadowing activity for orientation prompted Simmons to say, “Women don’t do linework.” Their response to her was, “Why not?” They explained to her that another woman had come up from Puerto Rico and was working as a lineworker in the Washington, D.C., area.
It was a life-changing moment for Simmons, who jumped at the next chance to apply for a position in linework at the co-op. “They put me through the wringer the first week,” Simmons says jokingly. She conquered each challenge and worked as a groundman on a crew for the first year. Currently halfway through her apprenticeship, she says, “I’ve loved it ever since I started.”
Simmons joins other apprentices every six months for a week of classroom and hands-on learning from seasoned industry professionals with the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives at its Eastern Shore campus in Salisbury, Md. The group will spend four years together while also gaining more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. After five years, Simmons will earn the title of journeyman lineman.
Megan Simmons’ advice to young women and men: “Never be afraid to just try. You never know what you’ll fall in love with.”
“I don’t really compare myself with others,” says Simmons with confidence. “My only competition is me.” Her crew and classmates look out for one another to make sure everyone goes home safely every day.
Simmons describes how children will watch her with looks of awe on their faces while she’s up on the pole or in the bucket. “It’s adorable. I love it. My daughter is 10 and tried out for football. She’s the only female on the team. She says ‘if my mommy can do it, I can do it.’”
In October, Simmons joined fellow lineworker Genevie Boarman from Northern Neck Electric Cooperative and future lineworker Hunter Carden as instructors at the Girl Power high school career camp hosted by the electric cooperatives. She was asked several questions by the students about her career. Though only a few of them may pursue linework, Simmons found it fulfilling to help them all realize it was possible.
Simmons looks forward to growing her skills and knowledge while helping others and her community. “It’s always something different here every day,” she says. Her advice to young women and men: “Never be afraid to just try. You never know what you’ll fall in love with.”
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.