By Chris Adam

From left to right: Cain Shanlaub as a Student Board Member at Fulton County REMC, Shanlaub’s staff headshot at Kosciusko REMC, Shanlaub participating in the Indiana Electric Cooperatives Lineman Rodeo.

For Cain Schanlaub, an early interest in power led to a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore career options and develop leadership skills. In September 2022, Schanlaub joined Fulton County REMC’s Student Board of Directors.

“I joined the REMC board because I loved the idea of electricity and I knew that they dealt with powering my childhood home,” he said. “I learned about electricity in general, but I also learned how a cooperative works and how they do business.”

Supporting Local Students

The Student Board welcomes high school juniors and seniors to contribute to their communities and to build leadership skills that are valuable in education and the workplace. In addition to hands-on experience with Fulton County REMC, the students also engage with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and their peers.

Specifically, when evaluating applications for the Student Board, leaders are looking for students who have an interest in business administration, marketing, technology, operations, finance, or a related field; are willing to step up and take initiative; show enthusiasm; and demonstrate a willingness to participate in the community with a spirit of volunteerism.

“Programs like the Fulton County REMC Student Board are an investment in our community’s future,” said Andrew Horstman, Fulton County REMC CEO. “When we give young people the opportunity to see how a cooperative works, interact with leaders, and understand the role we play in our communities, we’re helping them develop skills and relationships that can stay with them for a lifetime.”

The Student Board requires a two-year commitment that begins in August of their junior year and ends in June following graduation. Students who meet or exceed all requirements and responsibilities can earn Fulton County REMC logo shirts and up to a $3,000 scholarship.

Students in the program are required to attend monthly board meetings held throughout the year. In addition, they will participate in a major community project each school year, as well as other community service events and activities.

“Our hope has always been that this program gives students a deeper understanding of the cooperative difference,” said Carissa Ziemek, marketing and communication specialist at Fulton County REMC. “Seeing it inspire someone to build a career in our industry and at a cooperative is something we’re very proud of.”

Today, Schanlaub is a groundman at Kosciusko REMC. “During my time on the board, I went to meetings, helped with public events, and attended the Annual Meeting,” Schanlaub said. “These experiences helped me understand how a cooperative worked before I hired on.”

Preparing Future Professionals

Schanlaub decided to pursue a career as a lineman after his experience on the Student Board and his work with multiple co-ops as an electrician. “I really liked the idea of climbing poles and helping the community,” he said.

In his role as a groundman, Schanlaub is an essential member of a utility line crew, working on the ground to support the linemen. His primary role is to ensure the job is done safely and efficiently by operating heavy equipment, preparing tools and materials, and maintaining a safe work zone. It’s the entry-level position for becoming a lineman.

For Kosciusko REMC, Schanlaub’s experience on the Fulton Student Board demonstrated an early interest and familiarity with the cooperative industry.

“Cain made a fantastic first impression,” said Jon Justice, vice president of operations at Kosciusko REMC. “From the initial phone call to the in-person interview, he was professional, confident, and handled himself incredibly well. It was clear he was the right fit for our team, and he continues to do a great job.”

“My experience so far has been good,” said Schanlaub, “and I’m excited to start my apprenticeship and continue my learning about line work.”

Being an apprentice is a formal, four-year training program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. At Kosciusko REMC, an apprentice starts with basic groundwork and progressively learns more complex skills, from troubleshooting outages to connecting new services, all under the guidance of experienced crew members. After four years, they become a Journeyman — a fully qualified and independent lineperson.

Ziemek said watching Cain come full circle, from serving on the Student Board to beginning his career at an electric cooperative, is incredibly rewarding. “Cain’s story is a reminder that today’s Student Board members can become future cooperative leaders. I’m excited to have him in the cooperative world, and I can’t wait to see where his career takes him.”

Horstman agrees, “Seeing a former Student Board member now working for another REMC is a great example of why investing in our youth matters. We may not always know where that investment will lead, but we know it helps build the next generation of people who will serve and strengthen our communities.”

For any students considering joining the cooperative world, Schanlaub offers encouragement. “I think I’d tell people it took me a while to get into this trade, but it’s worth the wait to do linework,” he said.