During Women’s History Month, we aim to highlight, honor and celebrate the contributions of women here at SRP. We believe in the importance of empowering each employee to feel represented and valued at work.
This blog features the career journey of Courtney Christopher, a Substation Electrician at SRP and one of two women in her department. Christopher shares how she started at SRP, found a community while pursuing her passion and is now helping others do the same.
Finding community
To help foster belonging in the workplace, SRP has Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are self-organized communities of employees who share common identities or interests. Christopher belongs to the Women’s Interest Network (WIN), an ERG with a mission to provide a secure and supportive community for women who want to develop their careers. The group provides opportunities to network and serve the community.
Christopher and fellow WIN members found a new area of focus in 2023 with the development of the Delta Connected committee, a group dedicated to supporting women in male-dominated trades.
“[Delta Connected committee’s] focus is to strengthen the representation of women in the trades and build relationships between mentors, volunteers and friends who understand what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry,” said Christopher. “Our goal is to educate, assist, support and empower individuals where we can.”
As one of two women journey workers in her department, Christopher encourages other women to pursue their dream career path, regardless of its gender norms.
Activating professional growth
Christopher started at SRP with an office position in graphic records before she began to research other opportunities within the company. Through a trades helper position, she was able find her passion in field work and narrowed her focus down to a trade she wanted to learn. She then went on to complete SRP’s Substation Electrician Apprenticeship program and now works as a journey worker in our Substation Design, Construction and Maintenance department.
When asked about her ambitions at SRP, Christopher said, “I’ve been inspired by the amazing work happening around me, and I want to contribute even more by leading and guiding the team toward success. It’s all about fostering collaboration, empowering others and creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.”
Christopher encourages women pursuing professional growth to:
- Seek mentorship
- Find a supportive community
- Self-advocate
- Embrace leadership opportunities
She also shared how her daughter has influenced her professional growth. “She has inspired me to pursue my dreams by showing her that regardless of gender, we can break through barriers and follow our own paths. I wanted to set an example for her and show her that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.”