When they weren't connecting with each other to learn about similar power systems research at other schools, GEAREAD students were meeting with and talking to utility professionals at DistribuTECH 2018 about their research and potential employment opportunities.

So why did these innovative students choose power engineering? First-year Ph.D. student Jose Cordova explains: “With renewables, it's even more important to integrate them into the grid . . . to help the environment and become more efficient. I want to make a difference, and working in the power grid means making a big impact."