FPL evaluates success of Student Partnership Program

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

Amin Colominas/Contributing Writer

news@fiusm.com

The University and Florida Power and Light Company have teamed up in order to offer students a new internship opportunity.

The partnership led to the opening of an FPL customer care center at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Students will field calls and learn to resolve customer inquiries in a courteous and professional manner–all while starting a future with one of Florida’s largest employers.

This initiative began in 2010 by FPL to recruit more of the University’s students and alumni, which currently make up more than 670 of the company’s employees.

FPL hopes not only to attract local “Worlds Ahead” thinkers, but to provide instant career opportunities for the FIU community.

Then-FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera was quoted at the ribbon-cutting ceremony as saying, “Our theme for today’s event is ‘Fostering talent, building careers’ and that’s exactly what this partnership is about. We look forward to growing it and to recruiting exceptional people to provide our customers with the award-winning service they deserve.”

President Mark B. Rosenberg also commented.

“At Florida International University, we are committed to providing each of our students with a Worlds Ahead education that will give them the tools they need to compete in the 21st century global marketplace.”

He believes that the initiative should not just serve the University’s interests, but also that of the community at large.

“We also are committed to joining forces with key institutions for our mutual benefit and the benefit of our community,” said Rosenberg. “This innovative call center will give our students the real world, on-the-job skills they need for their future careers and the opportunity to get a jump start on those careers at FPL.”

The program is open only to University students with a required grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Applicants must also pass a pre-employment drug test.

Those eligible then undergo paid vocational training at FPL’s Miami-based customer care center before joining the company’s customer service team. Students will not only gain experience valuable in any business, but will also get to know FPL management and learn about possible future careers.

Students are paid $12 per hour during training and receive competitive wages after joining the customer service team.

The program is a two-way street; with all of the benefits offered, students are expected to work 20-32 hours per week, including one weekend day at FPL’s Miami-based customer care center, while meeting all attendance and performance standards demanded by FPL.

The program boasts an 88% retention rate, with 22 interns developing their positions into permanent careers with FPL in 2012.

FIU and FPL’s partnership continues to benefit students today.

Andrew Bowyer, freshman mechanical engineering major, sees the program as a foot in the door for his future.

“The possibility of working for a company like Florida Power and Light is huge. While studying mechanical engineering, I can get to know FPL management which can help me in obtaining a more important position, like an engineer, in the future. And if I decide to work somewhere else, my resume still shows that I’m qualified to work with any other big company like FPL.”