As a veteran, 26-year-old Joseph “Joe” Crites knows what it means to tackle tough jobs with trusted people. Now a first-year Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) student at Ozarks Tech, Crites brings his U.S. Marine Corps experience into a new career that mirrors the challenge and camaraderie of his service.
After leaving the military, Crites wanted to transition into a career that would allow him to spend more time with his wife and young child without losing the sense of community that defined his years in uniform.
“It was my favorite part of the Marine Corps,” he said. “I was looking for something similar, and lineworking piqued my interest.”
Utilities can call on lineworkers to work at any hour in any conditions—rain or shine (and here in the Midwest, snow). The job requires teamwork to ensure electricity flows from substations to homes and businesses.
Because of this close collaboration, coworkers often form a close-knit community, spending time together outside work enjoying the outdoors, sharing meals and celebrating holidays.
Building on this sense of teamwork, EDS students at Ozarks Tech spend two years learning the trade from the ground up—starting with climbing poles and learning how power flows, then advancing to more complex tasks. From day one, safety is non-negotiable: even when working on de-energized lines, students are trained to treat every wire as live.
This focus on safety and readiness is clearly demonstrated in Ozarks Tech’s annual Lineworker Rodeo, held at the Richwood Valley Campus (RVC) this year. First- and second-year EDS students compete in events that mimic actual job duties, highlighting their skills and preparation.
“These scenarios are about as close as it gets to the real job,” said Keith Dinwiddie, Ozarks Tech Director of Technical Programs, who oversees the EDS program. “Our job is to prepare them to handle the hazards of the field effectively and efficiently.”
The rodeo features multiple stations to demonstrate students’ mastery of technical skills while working safely. Students use industry-rated equipment, trucks and supplies. They scale 40-foot-tall utility poles in full safety gear, operate bucket trucks, navigate obstacle courses, perform simulated rescues and take part in team-based contests.
The work is physical and difficult. “Climbing is a rigorous ordeal and not for the faint of heart,” Crites said. “I enjoy the adrenaline rush.”
The rodeo competitions are judged by industry professionals from electrical cooperatives across southwest Missouri. Various vendors will also be in attendance, showcasing the equipment and tools used in the industry.
Since its launch in 2018, the EDS program has seen steady enrollment growth. In the fall of 2021, Ozarks Tech opened a second training location at RVC, doubling the number of students the college serves. Industry demand is strong, and wages are competitive across the region. In 2024, graduates reported a 100% job placement rate with starting salaries above $60,000.
The EDS program is housed at RVC and the Lebanon Education Center. Both locations offer dedicated training areas, like the 19,600-square-foot Technical Training Center that opened last fall at RVC. In addition, Ozarks Tech recruits qualified instructors with decades of experience from industry partners, ensuring new lineworkers are properly trained and ready to enter the field upon graduation.
After completing the program, Crites said he plans to work for an electrical cooperative and is already interning at Laclede Electric Cooperative.
“I joined the Marine Corps looking for the hardest thing I could do,” he said. “Now I’m out here in the civilian sector trying to find the hardest thing I can do, and for me, that’s linework.”
Student Voices is a multimedia series produced by Ozarks Tech that showcases students with remarkable achievements and inspiring stories. Check out the accompanying video below.
Credits: Videographer Austin Barton and Photographer Kristina Bridges