Born and raised in Altadena, Southern California Edison Production Specialist Morgan Myers always admired the local linemen. He was fascinated by the hard work they put in to keep the power on.

“As a kid, I’d stop the patrolmen in my neighborhood and ask them questions about how they got started,” he said.

So, when he was old enough, it was a no-brainer to follow their advice and in their footsteps.

First starting as a contractor in Northern California, he made his way to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where he finished his apprenticeship before returning home to Altadena to work for SCE as a journeyman lineman in 2017.

“I still see those same patrolmen that I used to stop on the street and they remember me asking all those questions,” Myers said.

The full-circle moment made what came next even more devastating. Five years into his dream job, Myers was playing basketball when a tear in his ankle caused him to hit the ground. Shortly after recovering, he experienced a second tear while working — ending his tenure climbing poles.

“I wanted to be a lineman for my entire career,” Myers said. “So, when I got hurt, I thought there was nothing else. I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

For a professional athlete, rupturing their Achilles' heel is often a career ending injury, but for Myers, it opened the door to a new one.

Feeling like he just got benched, Myers took the advice of his colleagues and shifted into a role as a SCE production specialist for the Metro East region. While he may not be climbing poles performing upgrades and repairs anymore, he’s hands-on in a different way — scheduling and coordinating tasks for training crews in the area.

He still spends most of his time in the field, organizing an array of work like pole replacements, circuit upgrades and covered conductor installations to help protect against wildfires. Every day, he’s interacting with crews and continues to make an impact. Each day is different, and that’s one of his favorite parts.

“I love this job and, I never would have thought to do it if I hadn’t gotten hurt,” he said. “It really opened my eyes to all the different avenues you can take at SCE.”

While the term ‘lineman’ may most commonly be thought of as those who are in the bucket trucks or climbing poles, it is far from the only way to be a lineworker. The work that goes into maintaining and building a more resilient electric grid requires the combined efforts of linemen, engineers, planners, and many others, each contributing unique skills and expertise. That dedication is honored each year on April 18, for National Lineman Appreciation Day, created by congress in 2013.

Myers may have lost the ability to play basketball again, but he’s gained a new appreciation for the challenges and opportunities in his career, finding fulfillment in ways he never expected.

“The best thing about this job is seeing the impact we make,” said Myers. “I see how important this job is, feeling the appreciation from the community is rewarding.”

For more information on how to become a lineworker, visit edsion.com/lineworkerscholarship.