
Power Plant Director | Sherri Jett
5/22/2023 | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
Janellyn has an “energizing” tour with Power and Water Plant Director, Sherri Jett!
Janellyn has an “energizing” tour with Power and Water Plant Director, Sherri Jett! She sees firsthand how the T.B. Simon Power Plant generates steam, electric, and water energy to keep Michigan State University’s 5,000-acre campus operating efficiently!
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Curious About Careers is a local public television program presented by WKAR
Original production funding for Curious About Careers was provided by Capital Area College Access Network and United Way South Central Michigan.

Power Plant Director | Sherri Jett
5/22/2023 | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
Janellyn has an “energizing” tour with Power and Water Plant Director, Sherri Jett! She sees firsthand how the T.B. Simon Power Plant generates steam, electric, and water energy to keep Michigan State University’s 5,000-acre campus operating efficiently!
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Hi, I'm Janellyn and with me today is Sherri Jett.
Sherri, tell me where we are and what you do.
Today we're at the T.B.
Simon Power Plant.
We generate steam and electricity for more than 60,000 people on Michigan State University's East Lansing campus.
Are you ready to go in the engine hall?
- I'm ready.
- All right, let's go.
- Okay.
- Power is generated by the engines and this electrical equipment then is used to distribute it.
All the cables and everything are all making the plant operate.
- What aspects of STEM are involved in your career?
- As director of the Power Water Department, I lead a team who uses science, technology, engineering and mathematics every day.
This is the nerve center of the entire plant.
That creativity, innovation and technology improvement is important to figure out how to do it more sustainably, more efficiently.
This is turbine one.
This is turbine two.
- What is a typical day of work like for you?
- Our typical day starts with talking about the weather cuz weather impacts how much energy is used on campus.
We talk about the expected steam and electricity demands on campus, what equipment we have available and how to best generate that steam and electricity that the campus needs.
- What advice do you have for kids who are interested in a career like yours?
- Be curious, ask questions, learn.
We need people that are going to be the future creators and innovators to help us continue to become more sustainable.
- What's the most rewarding part of your job?
- Every day I know I'm making a difference.
I get an opportunity to be a part of a critical infrastructure that supports life in the US.
- It was super empowering to learn all about energy with Sherri Jett.
Explore your possibilities.
Support for PBS provided by:
Curious About Careers is a local public television program presented by WKAR
Original production funding for Curious About Careers was provided by Capital Area College Access Network and United Way South Central Michigan.