When am I going to start working?

[jrp051680]

First post here and I must say this site helped me a ton in getting my internship. However, I'm curious/worried about a few things.

I interviewed for a TVA internship in systems engineering on 4/26/2011. I have a BS in business admin and am currently a Junior in Mechanical Engineering. I nailed the interview and two weeks later was offered the position at Sequoyah. I was contacted a week later (5/10/2011) by HR to fill out all the paperwork etc..I did that and was told the background check would take 1-3 weeks. A week (5/17/2011) after submitting my paperwork I was contacted by a talent manager and given a contract. I signed the contract and sent it back the same day. I asked the man what the time frame would be for me to start. He said the background check had begun and it is typically 2 weeks and he would contact me regarding the drug screen. Its now 6/6/2011 and I have been sitting around idle for almost a month going broke waiting to start working. This contract is only supposed to run through 8/31/2011 and I have 2 accelerated summer classes starting 6/29/2011 that are going to affect my work hours. I know Lexis Nexis has contacted all of my references regarding my background check at least week ago. I don't understand what is taking so long.  How am I supposed to be of any use in my department if I only work for a month and a half? Can anybody shed some light on this process for me? TIA

[Higgs]

Did you try calling them?

[jrp051680]

Ive called the HR rep as well as the talent guy. Have not gotten a call back.

[jams723]

Nuc power in general and specifically TVA HR is notoriously slow.

[Fermi2]

Little things like moving outage dates and tornados seem to make a difference when bringing in interns.


I'll also submit I've never really seen an intern make a difference in a department.

[HydroDave63]

Little things like moving outage dates and tornados seem to make a difference when bringing in interns.


I'll also submit I've never really seen an intern make a difference in a department.

I hear they are pretty good for riding with line crews and carrying stuff though

[snowman]

If they know you have classes starting in a couple weeks its my bet they're not working too hard on your background check.

[UTKNuke]

Edited.

[HydroDave63]

I know exactly who you are dealing with HR wise. I have had to deal with the same group of people for my internship with TVA this summer. They are struggling from horribly incompetent workers.

I think I see a new opening this summer

[Fermi2]

I know exactly who you are dealing with HR wise. I have had to deal with the same group of people for my internship with TVA this summer. They are struggling from horribly incompetent workers.

Exactly what qualifies you to make is awesomely ignorant statement?

Wanna bet it makes it into some hands that YOU'D prefer it not make it into?

I bet I can guarantee it does.

[matthew.b]

I'll also submit I've never really seen an intern make a difference in a department.

 The utility management decided to pull the plug on the plant while I was an intern.  I hope I wasn't the one who made the difference in that case

[storm13]

Exactly what qualifies you to make is awesomely ignorant statement?

Wanna bet it makes it into some hands that YOU'D prefer it not make it into?

I bet I can guarantee it does.

It's certainly one thing to vent frustrations on a totally anonymous forum, but when you vent about specific situations that only a small handful (at most) of people could have experienced, it's not exactly anonymous any longer, is it?

I see crap stuff like that on Facebook all the time, someone vents about their boss, only to have their boss see it because they're a friend of another friend...

[Karl]

Edited.

Too Late to Edit...

[Sun Dog]

Too Late to Edit...

It is never too late to blame the RPs though.

[UTKNuke]

My statement was out of line and was not aimed at TVA as a whole. It was a means to vent my frustration with a situation that I am/was going through. There is no excuse for it.

I respect TVA as one of the only electric utilities who is actively expanding their nuclear power profile and reducing their carbon footprint. My experience has been wonderful when interacting with co-workers in my work environment as the company overall. I am only concerned with the specific individual in an specific department. I hope my statement does not reflect poorly on my university and myself too greatly.

I hope that the topic creator of this thread can start working soon. I did not mean to hack jack your thread. I would suggest attempting to contact the HR Representative until you get a response back.

[Higgs]

[Fermi2]

I figured he might have a public change of heart.

[NoogaTiger]

I am going through the hire in/waiting on a start date process as well.
I'm also at a TVA construction project, so I know that pushing or getting anxious doesn't make things happen.
I know that in my case, there have been times when they've been hard to get in touch with, you've just got to continue to call.
I also know that the HR person that I'm dealing with is working as hard as she can to get the group in.
Just keep calling, understand that they're dealing with more than just you, and they're doing all they can.

To the guy who just attempted career suicide, hope you learned a lesson while staying anonymous.

[jrp051680]

I still haven't started yet or received a call back. Ive attempted to call and email everyone that I have had contact with 5 times a piece. I even called the supervisor listed on my contract who I've yet to meet. I'm trying to be optimistic but not holding my breath. I got a call to setup an interview with C&P attachments here in Chattanooga and Im going but not real sure how to handle a potential offer as technically I have a signed contract with TVA.

Thanks for the heads up on them being extra slow with my background check because of my class schedule (which is a stupid statement) but they have been aware of this since about 3 minutes after my interview started on 4/26 . Maybe I wont make a difference in my department but it sure would be nice to have some idea WTH is going on before my contract is up. Whats the point of even hiring interns to work for a month? Yea yea besides getting coffee...

I hear they are pretty good for riding with line crews and carrying stuff though

No problem with this at all. I would much rather be with riding around working in the field carrying stuff than sitting in an office watching the clock..

[NoogaTiger]

Man, sounds like a decision, fortunately for you it's an internship, not a long term deal. It sounds like you're doing the right thing, all you can do is keep trying to call. If you can't afford to wait, that's your call. You'd just have to weigh the current funds situation vs the experience you'd lose/gain. Sorry you're having such difficulty. Just keep trying to make contact until you have to make a choice, then make one.