PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Some lessons can’t be learned from a textbook.

You have to pick something up, turn it over in your hands, figure out how it works and sometimes even take it apart before the pieces begin to make sense.

It's a lesson that has shaped Edward Sanchez's career.

Before studying electrical engineering at Florida International University and beginning an internship at Florida Power & Light Company's Meter Technology Center, Sanchez spent years working as an electrical and mechanical technician on superyachts while earning his associate degree. The hands-on experience gave him an understanding of complex systems that would later help shape his career.

Today, as engineering leader for FPL's meter technology and product support team, Sanchez helps oversee the smart meter technology that connects millions of customers to the electric grid. Yet despite the sophisticated technology he works with every day, he still believes some of the most valuable learning happens away from a desk and with a tool in your hand.

That belief is one reason Sanchez volunteered to spend the morning with students in Palm Beach State College's Commercial and Residential Electrician program.

"As much as I enjoy learning, I also enjoy teaching and sharing knowledge with others," Sanchez said. "When I heard about the opportunity to speak with students preparing to become electrical technicians, and possibly future engineers, I knew I wanted to volunteer."

During his visit, Sanchez presented the program with five retired electric meters donated by FPL, giving students the opportunity to work with the same type of equipment they may one day encounter in the field.

While the meters have finished serving customers, their work isn't over.

In the classroom, the meters will give students something tangible to learn from. They'll be able to see how the devices are built, understand how they operate and gain experience with the same type of technology they'll one day encounter in the field, helping connect classroom lessons to real-world applications.

That kind of hands-on learning mattered in Sanchez's own journey and continues to guide the way he approaches engineering and leadership.

"Being able to see, handle, inspect and understand how meters are built and used helps connect technical concepts to real-world applications," Sanchez says. "This kind of practical learning builds confidence, improves troubleshooting skills and reinforces the importance of safety, accuracy and attention to detail in utility work."

For electrical instructor Jeff Chiyka, partnerships with companies like FPL play an important role in preparing students for careers beyond the classroom.

"The classroom is where students learn the fundamentals, but opportunities like this help bring those lessons to life," says Chiyka. "Having access to equipment donated by FPL, along with the opportunity to hear from someone who's built a career in the industry, helps students connect what they're learning in the classroom to the work they'll one day perform in the field."

For FPL, investing in future technicians and engineers is also an investment in the communities the company serves.

As Florida's energy needs continue to grow, utilities increasingly rely on skilled technicians, engineers and technology professionals to support the systems customers depend on every day. Partnerships like this help prepare students for those careers by combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience and access to industry professionals.

The same type of meters students will use in class are part of FPL's smart meter network, helping the company serve customers more efficiently while supporting Florida’s electric grid. In the classroom, however, their purpose is simpler: helping students better understand the technology behind the service millions of Floridians depend on every day.

"I hope students walk away understanding that what they are learning in the classroom has a real and meaningful impact in the field," Sanchez said. "These meters represent more than equipment. They help power communities, support reliability and serve customers every day."

Years after hands-on experience helped launch Sanchez's career, he hopes these retired meters help launch someone else's.