Powered by Determination: Haylee Hyde Carries a Four-Generation Electrical Legacy Forward

July 14, 2026 — You might say it’s in Haylee Hyde’s DNA to be an electrician. After all, this apprentice now in her third year at IEC Central Ohio and employee of Settle Muter Electric, Columbus, OH, is the fourth generation in her family to choose electrical as a career. That’s a powerful statement to a worthy career.

Though her great grandfather and then her father’s uncle started it for the family, it was Haylee’s Dad, Michael, who solidified her desire to pursue a career as an electrician.

“Some of my earliest memories are of spending weekends with my dad on job sites and helping him with small tasks whenever I could,” Haylee recalls. “At first, I was simply excited to spend time with him, but over time I became fascinated by the work itself. I remember watching him troubleshoot electrical problems that seemed impossible to solve. What stood out to me was the way he approached every challenge with patience and confidence. He taught me that electrical work isn’t just about wires and tools — it’s about understanding how systems work together and finding solutions when things don’t go as planned.”

When her time came to enter the field, IEC Central Ohio and Settle Muter Electric took the lead.

IEC Apprenticeship Program

“One of the most positive experiences during my apprenticeship was the opportunity to learn directly from experienced journeyman electricians in the field,” Haylee says. “While my father played a major role in teaching me the trade from a young age, one of the first journeymen who had a significant impact on my development was Iaian. I worked with him on a project at Westerville City Hall, where he took the time to teach me how to properly bend conduit. What stood out most was his patience and willingness to explain not only how to make the bends, but why accuracy and planning were so important. Learning conduit bending gave me a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in electrical work and helped build my confidence on the job site.”

These sorts of experiences continued for Haylee through her classes and on the job. But, the first two years were not without challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges I experienced during my apprenticeship was being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated trade,” Haylee comments. “At times, I felt that I had to work harder to prove myself and demonstrate that I was just as capable as anyone else on the job site. Some people were unsure of what I could do when they first met me, and I occasionally faced assumptions about my abilities before I even had the opportunity to show my skills. I overcame these challenges by staying focused, maintaining a positive attitude, and letting my work speak for itself. I showed up every day ready to learn, worked hard, asked questions, and took pride in completing tasks safely and correctly. Rather than letting doubt or stereotypes discourage me, I used them as motivation to continue improving my skills and knowledge.”

Haylee adds that through persistence, dedication, and a strong work ethic, she earned the respect of her coworkers and supervisors. Furthermore, her apprenticeship taught her that success in the electrical trade is not determined by gender but by commitment, skill, and the willingness to learn.

“These experiences helped me develop confidence, resilience, and determination — qualities that will continue to serve me throughout my career as an electrician,” she concludes.

Haylee is most definitely game for anything and everything the job sends her way but, of course, she has favorite tasks like running conduit, landing panels, and performing finish work that excite her the most.

“I like the precision and attention to detail these tasks require, and I find it rewarding to see a project come together as systems are completed and energized,” she explains. “Running conduit challenges me to think ahead and plan my work carefully, while landing panels allows me to apply both technical knowledge and craftsmanship. Finish work is particularly satisfying because it is one of the final stages of a project, where you can see the results of all the hard work that has gone into the installation.

“The task I enjoy the least is wall rough-in work,” she continues. “While I understand how important it is to the overall success of a project, I find it less engaging than other aspects of the trade. Rough-in work can be repetitive and often involves working in tight spaces or difficult conditions. However, I recognize that every phase of a job plays a critical role, and even the tasks I enjoy less have helped me develop valuable skills and gain a better understanding of the electrical trade.”

Committed to a Bright Future

Haylee is an avid learner and eager to help others learn as well.

“As an electrician entering third year, my goal is to continue advancing in the trade and become a highly skilled journeyman electrician,” she says. “I want to keep learning, take on more leadership responsibilities, and eventually mentor apprentices the same way experienced electricians have mentored me. Being a woman in the trades, I also want to help show that women can succeed in this industry and excel at the same level as anyone else. I hope to encourage more women to consider careers in the skilled trades by leading through example, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and proving that determination, skill, and dedication matter more than stereotypes. My long-term goal is to continue building on my family’s four-generation electrical legacy while helping create a more diverse and welcoming future for the next generation of electricians.”

Haylee seeks balance to her work and school days. She enjoys staying active by going on walks and runs. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and her boyfriend, whether that’s relaxing at home or finding new things to do together.

“One of my favorite hobbies is visiting different wineries and trying new wines, which gives me a chance to unwind and explore new places,” she states. “Having a balance between work and personal time helps me stay motivated and energized both on and off the job.”

She wants others considering the trade to know that this is a rewarding profession with endless opportunities to learn, grow, and build a successful future. Every day presents new challenges, and there is a great sense of pride in knowing your work helps power homes, businesses, and communities.

“The trade requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to keep learning, but the skills you gain can provide a stable and fulfilling career for life,” she summarizes. “As for the IEC Apprenticeship Program, I would encourage people to take advantage of it. The program allows you to earn a paycheck while receiving hands-on training and classroom education at the same time. For me, it has been an invaluable experience that has helped me grow both professionally and personally.”

Powerful Statement on the Future of Electrical

As a recipient of a 2026 IEC Foundation scholarship, Haylee was invited to address attendees at the IEC Foundation 30th Anniversary Gala March 21 in Cincinnati, OH. Her inspiring words are included here as a testament to the wonderful apprentices IEC is nurturing.

My name is Haylee Hyde and I’m a 2nd year apprentice at IEC Central Ohio. 

It’s a real honor to stand here tonight and share a little about my background, my family, and how much this opportunity from the IEC Foundation means to me.

I’m proud to say that I come from a long line of electricians — four generations strong. My great-grandfather began it all in Boston, MA. He owned an electrical company that took on major projects, including wiring the tunnel that runs underneath the Boston Harbor. Back then, that kind of work wasn’t just a trade — it was pioneering. It laid the groundwork, literally and figuratively, for people’s lives to move safely and efficiently. That spirit of innovation and hard work is something that’s been passed down through every generation of my family.

My father’s uncle continued the tradition as a lineman in Massachusetts. He was one of those people who never backed down from a challenge — climbing poles in the freezing cold or the middle of the night, making sure the lights stayed on no matter the weather. His determination and toughness showed me that being an electrician isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment to service, reliability, and resilience.

And then there’s my dad — the person who’s influenced me the most. He’s been an electrician since he was 17 years old. Growing up, I spent weekends and summers tagging along to job sites, holding flashlights, handing him tools, and asking endless questions. He’d take the time to explain how things worked — how every wire carried its own purpose, how safety and precision could never be overlooked, and how important it was to always take pride in your work.

Through those experiences, I learned a lot more than how to bend conduit or read blueprints. I learned about work ethic, responsibility, and respect — not only for the trade itself but for the people we serve. My dad taught me that good craftsmanship speaks for itself. When you do your job well, people may never know your name, but they’ll live safely and comfortably because of the effort you put in.

Following in his footsteps felt natural, but it’s also something I take very seriously. Carrying forward a family legacy means living up to high expectations. It means continuing to learn, to improve, and to bring pride to the name of those who came before me. That’s why this moment — and this support from the IEC Foundation — means so much.

The IEC Foundation scholarship has truly been a blessing. It’s allowed me to focus more on my training and education without constantly worrying about finances. It’s helped me invest time and energy into becoming the best electrician I can be, and into building a career that will not only honor my family but also serve my community.

But the impact of this scholarship goes beyond financial support. It’s also a statement of belief — that the future of this trade matters, that skilled craftsmanship deserves recognition, and that young people entering the field should have access to the same opportunities that built the generations before them. The IEC Foundation isn’t just helping students like me pay tuition. You’re helping preserve a tradition of excellence and dedication that defines what it means to be part of this industry.

To the donors, mentors, and everyone involved with the IEC Foundation, IEC Central Ohio, and my employer Settle Muter Electric, I want to sincerely thank you. Your generosity is helping me carry the current forward — keeping the line of dedication, hard work, and craftsmanship alive. I hope that, just like my father and great-grandfather before me, I can pass this passion down to another generation one day.

Thank you for believing in me, for investing in my future, and for supporting the next wave of electricians who will continue to keep our communities powered, safe, and connected.