Consider all options while navigating potential career paths
March 2025
Rachel Harris is the first ever geographic information systems project manager to hold the role at BARC Electric Cooperative. (photo by Amanda Cunningham)
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
An open mind and flexibility while navigating her career path allowed Rachel Harris to find a powerful career in geographic information systems with BARC Electric Cooperative in Millboro, Va. She is charged with maintaining and updating system maps for the co-op’s electric grid and fiber network. As the GIS project manager, Harris is often called upon by her colleagues to provide troubleshooting solutions.
Growing up in Augusta County, Va., served by neighboring Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, Harris had childhood dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She completed a degree in wildlife science and biology at Virginia Tech with hopes of becoming a wildlife biologist. Reality taught her that sometimes our passions do not always translate into promising careers.
“I studied the changes of a landscape over time through mapping different variables while in graduate school,” says Harris, who earned a master’s in forestry at West Virginia University. “My thesis focused on hardwood markets and insect detriment studied through satellite imagery in remote areas.”
Prior to joining BARC, Harris explored careers at a veterinarian office, financial institutions, orchards, vineyards, in forestry and in marketing at an agriculture co-op. She finally feels at home with her BARC co-op family.
Harris believes in and encourages others to allow room for deviation to achieve goals in life, especially regarding career goals. “Most things in life are not linear,” she explains. “We need to be able to jump on and off the path as needed to reach our destination. It’s OK to change your mind. It is better to have a change of heart and be content than stick to a plan and risk your happiness.”
The first GIS project manager ever to hold the role at BARC, Harris maintains the BARC system maps and assists with field surveying and staking. Properly maintaining the mapping system also impacts outage and restoration events. Reducing time to locate system attributes through an electronic map can help to reduce downtime on services to members.
She thrives on helping her co-op peers with issues by making their jobs a little easier or more understandable. “Being able to help solve problems and keep the system functioning properly is quite rewarding,” she says. “Even if it does come with additional challenges. I also believe in finding a way to solve the problems at hand with available resources and not being afraid to ask for a little help along the way when needed.”
Harris appreciates the commitment at BARC to employee development. While she gained solid mapping experience in college, it was not relevant to her current responsibilities. “My manager has been great in allowing me to participate in any training to help me better perform my duties and prepare me for future tasks that may accompany my growth within the company,” says Harris.
Relieved to have finally chosen the correct path on her career journey, Harris is grateful for the employee-centered benefits and focused goals provided by electric cooperatives like BARC. Both members and employees receive a mutually beneficial experience.
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.