Finding their place

August 2026

Soon-to-be-graduates discover promising futures in the co-op network.

Quinn Williams

Hometown: Stigler
College: University of Arkansas
Major: Financial management and investments with a minor in human developmental and family sciences
Internship Area: Office of U.S. Sen. Alan Armstrong

 

When Quinn Williams visited Washington, D.C., as an Oklahoma Youth Tour delegate for Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative in 2022, she left with a dream.

This summer, that dream became a reality.

Sponsored by OAEC, Williams returned to Capitol Hill as an intern in the office of U.S. Sen. Alan Armstrong.

“It feels like a full-circle moment for me,” she said.

Williams spent the summer researching legislation, preparing briefing materials and assisting with constituent correspondence. She also attended hearings and committee meetings and prepared summaries for legislative staff.

One of her proudest accomplishments was helping prepare for a bipartisan permitting reform initiative that brought together members of Congress, business leaders and policymakers to discuss the nation’s infrastructure and energy future.

The experience strengthened her ability to communicate complicated policy issues clearly and efficiently.

Williams said she was inspired by the number of young staff members working behind the scenes to shape policy and make a difference.

Outside of work, she enjoys rug hooking, a craft she learned from her grandmother, Lee Williams, who has been recognized nationally for her work.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Williams hopes to return to Washington and pursue a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, focusing on drug trafficking and national security.

Thomas Hurst

Hometown: Preston
College: University of Tulsa
Major: Energy management and accounting
Internship Area: Office of Congressman Frank Lucas

 

Thomas Hurst had a busy internship researching energy policy, answering constituent calls and giving tours of the U.S. Capitol.

“I have always been interested in how our government operates and the history of our country. This internship gives me a front row seat to both,” Hurst, a 2023 Youth Tour alumnus sponsored by East Central Electric Cooperative, said.

One of his favorite assignments was writing legislative bulletins for the congressional office. He was particularly proud of a bulletin covering legislation related to marginal oil and gas wells.

The experience strengthened his research abilities, people skills and time management. Hurst was also      surprised by the welcoming environment in the congressional office and by how many young professionals work behind the scenes in Washington.

Outside the office, he serves as an assistant coach for the Preston High School Academic Bowl team.

“I love giving back to something that meant so much to me while I was in high school,” he said.

After completing his degree at the University of Tulsa, Hurst plans to pursue law school.

Kalen Groves

Hometown: Beggs
College: Oklahoma State University
Major: Agricultural leadership with a minor in environmental economics and public policy
Internship Area: Oklahoma State Senate

 

Kalen Groves’ spring at the Capitol started with a trip to Washington, D.C.

As a 2024 Oklahoma Youth Tour delegate representing East Central Electric Cooperative, Groves discovered a passion for public policy and public service. The experience opened her eyes to the impact government can have on rural communities and inspired her to pursue an internship with the Oklahoma State Senate.

Groves entered the internship with some familiarity of the Capitol through the Oklahoma House of Representatives Page program, but she quickly learned that no two days in the Senate are alike.

“Politics keeps you on your toes,” she said. “I do not think I had two days that were the same during my internship and that made it more fun.”

One of her favorite memories came from helping file and prepare legislation for daily agendas.

“I think it is cool to think that I physically touched every single bill that became law during this session,” she said.

The experience strengthened her adaptability and gave her an up-close look at the relationships that exist behind the scenes at the Capitol.

“I rarely experienced division,” she said of lawmakers from both parties.

Outside of school and work, Groves enjoys showing cattle with her family, a passion she has had since she was five years old.

After graduation, she plans to stay involved in politics while continuing her studies at Oklahoma State.

Jill Meador

Hometown: Elk City
College: Oklahoma State University
Major: Agricultural communications
Focus Area: Oklahoma Living freelance contractor

 

Jill Meador thought she would spend the summer creating magazine layouts and graphics. She didn’t expect she would discover a love for storytelling.

Meador had the chance to travel across Oklahoma, meet people with deep rural roots and tell their stories through the pages of Oklahoma Living.

“I found a passion for writing and storytelling I didn’t even know I possessed,” she said.

Her proudest accomplishment was writing the May 2026 cover story featuring National FFA President Trey Myers. The story was months in the making and carried special meaning because her photography was also featured on the cover and throughout the spread.

“I was a photographer before I knew how to write anything,” she said. “It was a monumental moment.”

The experience also helped her sharpen her time management skills as she balanced interviews, deadlines and a full class schedule.

Growing up on her family’s cattle ranch in Northfork Electric Coooperative’s service territory has shaped much of Meador’s passion for rural communities and agriculture.

She has one semester left at Oklahoma State and hopes her future includes both agriculture and the cooperative family she has come to admire.

Zoe Taylor

Hometown: Oklahoma City
College: University of Oklahoma
Major: Accelerated BA/MA student in public relations and strategic communication
Internship Area: Public relations and communications

 

When Zoe Taylor walked into her first day at the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC), she expected to spend the summer observing from the sidelines.

Instead, she found herself with a seat at the table.

“I thought I would be assisting on projects,” she said. “The OAEC staff made me feel like an active participant and truly valued my opinion.”

Taylor was looking for an internship that would challenge her communication skills and introduce her to a new industry. She also wanted to work for an organization with a strong mission. She found both at OAEC.

One of her biggest projects involved organizing and logging nearly 3,000 legislative postcards sent by cooperative members. Taylor developed a system to catalog the postcards and identify key insights that could help guide the association’s communications and legislative efforts.

“It was awesome to gain free rein over a project as an intern and learn that I could handle it,” she said.

She also created social media content including reels and infographics while strengthening her skills in public speaking, graphic design and campaign strategy.

Along the way, Taylor discovered something she did not expect.

“I think one thing people don’t always realize is how much electric cooperatives care about the cooperative model itself,” she said. “They want their members to know they aren’t just customers.”

She also came away with an appreciation for the close relationships among Oklahoma’s cooperatives and the family-oriented culture that defines them.

Outside the office, Taylor enjoys hiking, drawing, DIY projects and spending time with animals.

Her internship may be over, but her cooperative journey is just beginning. Taylor accepted a full-time position as executive assistant to OAEC General Manager and CEO Nicki Fuller. She hopes to eventually join the communications team, where she can continue pursuing her passion for public relations, communication strategy and graphic design.

Interested in an Internship?

The experiences shared here all started with one opportunity and one connection.

Many of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives offer internships, summer employment and leadership programs that give students hands-on experience in communications, government affairs, engineering, linework, accounting and more.

Several of this year’s interns first became involved through Youth Tour and stayed connected to the cooperative network as they pursued their education and career goals.

If you’re interested in learning more about internship opportunities, contact your local electric cooperative. You never know where one conversation might lead. It could be the first step toward your own cooperative story.