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MARSHALLTOWN – The Marshalltown Community College Natural Gas students took a step towards their future with mock interview with local industries this past week. Natural Gas Technician instructor, Rick Dorsey, invited three Iowa industries to visit campus and give students some helpful advice for future interviews.

This is the eighth year that the program has invited businesses to campus to help with this process with both the first- and second-year students. Dorsey invites a variety of companies to participate so students can see the different areas they can find employment. This year employers included: Bob Hiatt an Electric Trainer with Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Lori Wildman a Training Specialist for Iowa Alliant Energy, and Justin Jones an Operations Manager for Northern Natural Gas.

These three companies conducted mock interviews with students. They reviewed resumes as well as asking human resource and technical questions. Dorsey thinks the mock interviews are a valuable part of the learning experience. He said, “They are usually pretty nervous, but they take a lot away from the day and they see the benefits.” In addition to the day being beneficial for the students it can also help the companies that visit campus. “These interviews give local businesses the opportunity to see the employees they could have. In the past students have been offered jobs during the interviews.”

Without the help of companies coming to campus this day wouldn’t be possible. “The partnerships that we build with these industries are key. They want our students, and it helps boost our program. These relationships are important for both us and them,” commented Dorsey.

In the past other companies have been involved in the day including Fisher, R. Stover, Novaspect, Black Hills Energy and Mid-America. Alliant Energy has also worked with the Powerline Technician program students performing mock interviews. Last spring because of COVID they held the interviews over the phone.

“This day is really important to our students’ education,” said Dorsey. “Both the interview and the resume can make or break weather you are offered employment.”

Hiatt, Wildman and Jones all see the benefit for their companies as well as the students in helping in the mock interviews.

“I have experience in both education and utilities. Students get a great education at MCC but where people usually struggle is the interview,” commented Hiatt. “We want and need people in the utility industry so I’m happy to help today. This gives us a chance to help them practice, hopefully be a little less nervous and give them more information and experience.”

Wildman said, “Alliant Energy believes in the relationships that we have with community colleges and students. We want to get out to MCC whenever we can and expose students to the careers that are available in the energy field. It’s also a time for us to identify early talent.”

New to working at Northern Natural Gas, Jones brings his experience with working with colleges from previous employers Black Hills Energy. “I was very active with area colleges in the Dubuque area when I worked at Black Hills Energy. I see a gap in relationships with community colleges and I want to fix that. I see this as a way to give back to MCC’s program and improve our potential applicant pool.” Northern Natural Gas recently hired a former MCC student. “We see the value in working with the community colleges.”