AWWA Member Spotlight – Hillary Caron, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hillary Caron, water education and programs coordinator at the City of Grand Rapids Water System, manages public outreach programs, K-12 education initiatives and career development programs. She is passionate about empowering the community and nurturing water stewards.

Education/certification: B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Michigan University; M.S., Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage; State of Michigan F-1 Municipal Drinking Water Operator’s License

Job summary: My responsibilities include creating and implementing education initiatives, pursuing and managing grant opportunities, and providing tours and education programs for students, residents and community partners. I also prepare media information and coordinate public information programs.

How did you get into the water sector? In all honesty, I fell into the water community by accident, and it’s been a very happy accident! I live within walking distance of the City of Grand Rapids’ drinking water plant, and I applied for an opening there for a temporary laboratory technician. With my laboratory and scientific background, I was offered the job and from there was hired as a full-time analytical chemist. After five years, I became a full-time water education and programs coordinator – a true dream job!

Even though my educational background was not directly in water, I stayed in this field because of the opportunities and the ability to be my authentic self while doing something I love: educating the community and empowering our next generation of leaders.

What is an interesting project you’ve worked on? Every day of my career has been interesting! If I was to choose one project, it would be facilitating our Water Career Camp for 6th-9th graders. This three-day camp explores the urban (human) water cycle. We partner with Grand Rapids Community College, several City of Grand Rapids departments, and community organizations to showcase water careers, host hands-on activities, and generate awareness of and excitement for careers in the water industry. Campers discover a world of opportunities in the water industry through hands-on water quality testing, field trips, team challenges, and expert guidance from passionate water professionals.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? My career has been a whirlwind of excitement, and I am so grateful for every opportunity. My proudest accomplishment is the design and implementation of the West Michigan Water Career Program, which started as a dream-big conversation between a Grand Rapids drinking water operator and me. It has grown into a transformative and collaborative effort between residents, city departments, institutes of higher learning and community partners. Together, our teams are addressing systemic barriers that otherwise keep qualified individuals from pursuing opportunities in the water sector.

Thanks to funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the program offers one-year, paid, part-time internships. Interns gain on-the-job training, develop as a professional, and are connected to a mentor dedicated to their success. In addition to the job-skills training, each intern is enrolled in online water/wastewater courses with Bay College and Grand Rapids Community College at zero cost to them. These courses help individuals gain a deeper understanding of what they are learning at their day-to-day job.

How have you benefited from your AWWA membership? A major benefit of my AWWA membership is the network and hundreds of connections I have made by being actively involved in the Michigan Section. Having a space to learn from others, seek advice, and share knowledge is invaluable.

Describe your family and personal interests: My husband, Jeremy, is the Water Operator in Charge at the Village of L’Anse Water Treatment Plant. Together, we enjoy adventuring and appreciating the great outdoors. We love hiking, canoeing and camping. We both studied botany and enjoy going back to our “roots” by identifying plants.

What would surprise people to know about you? I love to sing karaoke, but please do not mistake this love for me being gifted at singing. My go-to karaoke song is, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness.

What do you find rewarding about your work? The most rewarding aspect of my work is collaborating with others to bring seemingly abstract ideas to life. I love dreaming and creating with others. My favorite aspect is compiling thoughts and ideas, creating a plan, and making it come to life. I love witnessing the joy individuals have seeing their idea grow into something impactful and real.

Why do you think young people should consider a career in water? There is never any new water that is created. The water we have today is the water we will have for tomorrow. By pursuing a career in the water field, you can have a direct impact on the quality, accessibility, sustainability, etc. of our water resources. The career opportunities are truly endless. We need individuals from all disciplines, backgrounds and passions to help protect our water for future generations.

Why is it important to educate and inspire young people about water resources? Our best allies and water stewards are people who appreciate and understand the importance of safe, clean water. We can help them build skills and confidence in hopes that their attitudes and perception of the importance of protecting our water resources will inspire them to participate in our sector’s efforts and calls to action.

How can we effectively engage the next generation in this field? The first step is raising awareness and appreciation for the water industry. We’ve been a silent service for generations, and many people do not think twice about where their water comes from and what happens to it after it’s used. We can engage our youth through hands-on, place-based learning, which starts with inviting the public to tour water facilities. You can make the tour interactive by hosting hands-on activities that students can participate in that demonstrate the treatment process or careers in the field.