FORT PIERCE \u2014 Five college students got an inside look at the wide range of careers that keep a community-owned utility running this summer as the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority completed its 2026 Summer Internship Program.<\/p>\n
The 12-week program was FPUA\u2019s first organization-wide internship cohort. Interns worked alongside FPUA employees, contributed to active projects and received hands-on experience in several areas of the utility.<\/p>\n
Jude Charles and Joseph Feliciano, Electric & Gas Engineering interns, helped design and survey potential locations for power lines as FPUA worked to strengthen its electric grid and add redundancy to the system.<\/p>\n
Eden Glover, a Finance and Accounting intern, assisted the Finance team as it developed FPUA\u2019s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The experience gave her a look at how the utility balances priorities across its five utility services and supporting departments.<\/p>\n
Two interns focused on communications and digital media. Jamari Tullis, a Manatee Center Digital Media Generalist intern, and Joshua Cimino, an FPUA Communications & Digital Storytelling intern, created social media content, documented events and designed graphics for FPUA and the Manatee Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt FPUA, we believe in investing in future leaders, innovators and professionals,\u201d said Javier Cisneros, P.E., FPUA director of utilities and CEO.<\/p>\n
Beyond their individual assignments, the interns participated in safety training, a community cleanup, a professional presentation workshop and a bucket truck demonstration with FPUA\u2019s Electric Transmission & Distribution team.<\/p>\n
The program concluded Aug. 13 with a luncheon during which each intern presented an overview of their department, summer projects and lessons learned.<\/p>\n
FPUA developed the internship program to provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship and professional development while introducing them to career opportunities in the utility industry.<\/p>\n
The program also is intended to help FPUA develop relationships with potential future employees and strengthen its workforce pipeline.<\/p>\n
FPUA\/For Hometown News<\/p>\n
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From left: Javier Cisneros, P.E., FPUA Director of Utilities; Dr. Barbara M. Bennett, FPUA Board Secretary; Linda Hudson, Mayor of Fort Pierce and FPUA Board Member; Kristina Gibbons, FPUA Board Vice Chair; Frank H. Fee, IV, FPUA Board Chair; Joshua Cimino, FPUA Communications & Digital Storytelling Intern; Pearl Davis, FPUA Board Deputy Secretary; Veronica Combs, FPUA Employee Engagement Coordinator; and Rachel Tennant, J.D., FPUA Director of Public Affairs & Sustainability.<\/p>\n
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Jude Charles, FPUA Electric & Gas Engineering Intern<\/p>\n
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From left: Jude Charles, FPUA Electric & Gas Engineering Intern; Joseph Feliciano-Garcia, FPUA Electric & Gas Engineering Intern; Joshua Cimino, FPUA Communications & Digital Storytelling Intern; and Eden Glover, FPUA Finance & Accounting Intern.<\/p>\n
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Eden Glover, FPUA Finance & Accounting Intern<\/p>\n
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Jamari Tullis, Manatee Center Digital Media Generalist Intern<\/p>\n
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