Every time a refinery starts up, a hospital powers critical equipment or a family gathers around the dinner table under the glow of a kitchen light, reliable electricity is working quietly in the background. In Southeast Texas, that responsibility often rests with operators like Scott Nichols at Entergy Texas’ Montgomery County Power Station.

Nichols didn’t grow up planning to work in power generation. In fact, like many students in Southeast Texas, he initially saw refineries and chemical plants as the most visible career paths.

“During our process technology training program, power generation was just one page in one chapter in our textbook,” he said.

After earning an associate degree in business, Nichols realized a traditional desk job wasn’t for him. He wanted something hands-on — work that required focus, teamwork and real-time decision-making. That led him to enroll in a local process technology program, where most graduates were preparing for refinery roles.

Then Entergy Texas visited his class.

For the first time, Nichols heard someone describe what happens inside a power plant control room—monitoring complex systems, adjusting how much power the plant produces based on the community’s needs, and working as a tight-knit team to keep electricity flowing across the region.

“It wasn’t something I had really considered before,” he said. “I just didn’t know much about it.”

That single discussion changed his career path.

Today, as a control room operator, Nichols helps oversee the systems that generate electricity for thousands of homes and businesses across Southeast Texas. The work is technical and fast-paced. Operators must understand how equipment works, spot problems early on and troubleshoot quickly to keep power flowing and communities safe.

“You’re not just doing one task,” Nichols said. “You’re learning the entire system and how it all works together.”

Unlike some large industrial facilities, power plants often operate with leaner crews. That means operators take on broad responsibility early in their careers. For Nichols, that challenge, combined with the collaborative team environment, made power generation the right fit for him. It also offers something increasingly important to many skilled workers: a stable career path with opportunities to grow while staying close to operations.

His role comes at a critical time for the region.

Southeast Texas continues to see a significant population increase and large industrial growth, increasing the demand for reliable, affordable electricity. Through the Southeast Texas Energy Plan, known as STEP Ahead, Entergy Texas is investing in new generation resources designed to support long-term economic growth and strengthen the power grid to better withstand extreme weather events.

As new generation comes online in the years ahead, including the Orange County Advanced Power Station later this year and two new, state-of-the-art power stations in Port Arthur and Cleveland in 2028, skilled operators will be central to keeping that power flowing. Entergy Texas currently has 130 power generation employees, with nearly 40 new positions to be added over the next year to support growth in our region.

Nichols believes there are many students who would thrive in power generation — especially those who prefer hands-on work and problem-solving.

“There are many people who would be great at this,” he said. “They just need to know it’s an option.”

Behind every megawatt generated is a team of professionals ensuring Southeast Texas has the power it needs to grow. For Nichols, what started as a career path he almost overlooked has become meaningful work that directly supports his community.

Learn more about careers in power generation, engineering and more.