

Technology constantly evolves, and that is what Jaiden Trawick likes about his job as an information technology specialist at South Alabama Electric Cooperative (SAEC). Hired in May 2024, Trawick enjoys the challenges that come with an ever-changing field.
I support the day-to-day operations of the IT department — troubleshooting hardware or software problems, installing new equipment, and assisting my colleagues with any technical issues they may have. I’m also responsible for delivering our IT and information security training, making sure employees understand best practices.
Working at South Alabama is great because I get real responsibility and input at my workplace, even though I’m in an entry-level role. I can meaningfully contribute, and I’m not limited to a small set of tasks. That level of trust makes the work more engaging and helps me feel like my efforts matter.
learn a lot at work. IT is a constantly evolving field, so there’s never a point where you feel like you’ve learned everything. Each day brings a new challenge, problem or technology to figure out. Constant learning can feel overwhelming to some, but I like having to stay curious and adapt.
In my opinion, the biggest impact SAEC has is providing an essential service on a not-for-profit basis. Since there are no shareholders to satisfy, we can provide more affordable electricity instead of making a profit. Money is reinvested back into our members and the community, instead of being sent elsewhere.
I love to play chess — even though it makes me feel like the dumbest person in the world sometimes.
You only get 1 life, don’t waste it by worrying about what others think.